Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
4.6 / 5
Best for active, global, and advanced traders. Lowest margin rates in the industry, broadest international access (160+ exchanges, 36 countries), and the most complete API stack in retail brokerage.
3.8 / 5
Best for Bank of America customers with $100K+ combined balances who want IRA, banking, credit card, and brokerage under one login. Outside that fit, Fidelity, Schwab, or IBKR are stronger pure-trading platforms.
Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.
Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.
| Metric | Interactive | Merrill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 4.60 / 5 | 3.80 / 5 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 4.80 | 3.80 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 5.00 | 3.80 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 4.00 | 3.50 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 4.20 | 5.00 | Merrill |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 4.00 | 4.00 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 3.80 | 4.00 | Merrill |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 5.00 | 3.00 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 5.00 | 3.30 | Interactive |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 5.83% | 4.50% | Merrill |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | 4.33% | 0.01% | Interactive |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Does not accept | Does not accept | Tie |
| Asset class | Interactive | Merrill |
|---|---|---|
| OTC / penny stocks | Yes | No |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Options (US + global) | Yes | |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Futures / futures options | Yes | |
| Crypto (direct) | Yes | No |
| International stocks | Yes | Limited |
| IPOs | Yes | |
| 24-hour overnight equity trading | Yes | No |
| Prediction markets | Yes | |
| Options (Levels 1–5) | Yes | |
| Futures | No |