Platform Comparison

Merrill Edge vs Public

Compare Merrill Edge and Public on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

Higher Rated
ME

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
PB

Public

★4.4

A transparent, community-focused investing platform that rejects payment for order flow in favor of optional tipping—putting your interests first.

Full Review

Merrill Edge vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureMerrill EdgePublic
Our Rating4.5/54.4/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesDRIP only$1 minimum
DRIPFreeFree
Research ToolsGoodBasic
Best ForBank of America CustomersTransparency-Focused Investors

Merrill Edge vs Public: Pros and Cons

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

Public

Pros

  • + No payment for order flow—potentially better trade execution
  • + Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options trading
  • + Fractional shares starting at just $1
  • + Free dividend reinvestment with fractional share support
  • + High interest rate on uninvested cash

Cons

  • - No mutual funds available
  • - Limited research and screening tools
  • - Extended hours trading costs $2.99 per order (non-Premium)
  • - Penny stocks cost $2.99 per trade (non-Premium)

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Merrill Edge or Public?

Choose Merrill Edge if you...

  • Are in Merrill Edge's core audience: bank of america customers
  • Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Choose Public if you...

  • Are in Public's core audience: transparency-focused investors

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Merrill Edge review and Public review.

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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.