Platform Comparison

Invstr vs Merrill Edge

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the best platform for dividend investing

Invstr

★3.8

Practice investing with $1M in virtual money, learn through gamified courses, then graduate to real trading—the complete beginner-to-investor journey.

Full Review

Higher Rated

Merrill Edge

★4.5

Bank of America's brokerage offering seamless banking integration, solid research tools, and the valuable Preferred Rewards program for qualifying customers.

Full Review

Feature Comparison

Feature	Invstr	Merrill Edge
Our Rating	3.8/5	4.5/5
Trading Commissions	N/A	$0
Account Minimum	N/A	$0
Fractional Shares	N/A	DRIP only
DRIP	N/A	Free
Research Tools	Basic	Good
Best For	Absolute Beginners	Bank of America Customers

Pros & Cons

Invstr

Pros

+ Free investing course with 85 lessons and certificate
+ Fantasy Finance: Practice with $1M virtual money
+ Compete in fantasy leagues and win real prizes
+ Commission-free real stock and crypto trading
+ Fractional shares starting at $5

Cons

- Real trading has minimum fees ($2.99 full shares, $0.99 fractional)
- $5 registration fee for real trading through DriveWealth
- Very limited research tools for experienced investors
- No mutual funds, bonds, forex, or OTC trading

Merrill Edge

Pros

+ Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
+ Seamless integration with Bank of America accounts
+ Selective DRIP—choose which securities reinvest dividends
+ DRIP supports fractional share reinvestment
+ Preferred Rewards program offers fee discounts and bonuses

Cons

- No direct fractional share purchases (DRIP only)
- Mutual fund transaction fees up to $19.95
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash
- $49.95 full account transfer fee

Which Platform is Right for You?

Choose Invstr if you...

Want absolute beginners focused features

Choose Merrill Edge if you...

Want bank of america customers focused features
Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Compare Other Platforms

Not sure these are the right fit? Explore more comparisons.

FirstradevsM1 Finance EllevestvsE*TRADE J.P. Morgan Self-Directed InvestingvsCharles Schwab Axos InvestvsTD Ameritrade PublicvsWealthfront

View All Platforms

Investment Disclaimer

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.