Key Takeaways
• Advisory and brokerage accounts can both be opened at either Ameriprise or Edward Jones.
• Both firms focus on advisor-assisted relationships, so there are no typical commission-free, self-directed brokerage accounts at either company.
• Beyond investing, both financial powerhouses offer various cash-management services.
Ameriprise vs Edward Jones
For a traditional investment experience, there are Edward Jones and Ameriprise. These full-service brokerage firms offer securities, insurance, and much more.
Services
Promotions
Charles Schwab:
$0 commissions + ACAT fee rebates + a satisfaction guarantee with Charles Schwab.
Edward Jones: none found
Ameriprise Bank: limited-time bank bonuses may be available to eligible Ameriprise clients
Insurance and Securities
For long-term planning, Ameriprise and Edward Jones offer their clients insurance and securities. The former category includes policies for life insurance, long-term care insurance, annuities, and disability insurance. In the latter category, there are assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
At either firm, securities will be held inside investment accounts, and these will come in two varieties: brokerage and managed. In the latter setup, an investment advisor representative with the firm may decide what to buy and sell in the account and is generally responsible for overseeing it when the account is discretionary. In the former, the client decides what to trade in consultation with the financial advisor. Accounts of either type are opened through that financial advisor. There is no standard self-directed trading experience at either brokerage firm.
Because Edward Jones and Ameriprise are both full-service firms, an account of either type, brokerage or managed, comes with a financial advisor who can provide a range of financial-planning services. These may include:
- Employee benefits planning
- Estate settlement
- Retirement planning
- Education saving
- Income tax-related planning, although tax advice itself is generally not provided
Winner: Pretty even overall
Cash Management
Ameriprise customers can open a variety of bank or bank-like accounts for their everyday cash needs.
The company operates its own FDIC-insured bank and also offers multiple sweep options for brokerage cash. Ameriprise’s multi-bank insured deposit program can provide enhanced FDIC coverage up to $2.5 million per depositor, subject to conditions, while its Ameriprise Bank Insured Sweep Account provides up to $250,000 at Ameriprise Bank.
The company’s Ameriprise ONE account is a brokerage account with cash-management features, such as checkwriting, bill pay, and a debit card.
Edward Jones clients can use checks and debit cards, too. Like Ameriprise, Edward Jones has partnered with FDIC-insured banks to create a deposit program that delivers more than the standard single-bank FDIC limit. The Edward Jones Insured Bank Deposit Program can provide up to $5 million in total FDIC coverage, subject to program limits and bank capacity. Cash-management perks like bill pay are also available in eligible accounts.
Both financial conglomerates also have credit cards that provide all sorts of perks. These cards generally require an existing relationship with the respective firm.
Winner: Once again, it’s a draw
Margin
Brokerage clients at both Ameriprise and Edward Jones can use leverage in their accounts to increase
gains and losses. Both firms use tiered margin schedules for interest charges. Ameriprise’s actual current rates depend on the balance tier and are shown in the firm’s current schedule, while Edward Jones publishes a variable schedule tied to a base rate.
Both broker-dealers have securities-based lending programs that let their clients borrow money using
their investments as collateral.
Winner: Edward Jones
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Websites
Ameriprise has a website with various tools for a wide range of functions. These include downloading statements, looking over account performance, and funds transfer. The site also has trading tools that can be used by some brokerage clients.
Edward Jones does not provide the same self-directed trading experience that many discount brokers offer. Nevertheless, its site does have some useful gadgets. These include a message center, the ability to connect outside accounts, access to documents, and various cash-management tools such as bill pay.
Winner: Ameriprise
Mobile Apps
Both investment firms have updated to the 21st century, so it goes without saying that they have mobile software. The Ameriprise app does have trading tools for eligible accounts, and there are also useful account-management features. For instance, there is a mobile check-deposit widget.
Over at Edward Jones, we find a similar picture in terms of general account management. There is no full self-directed trading platform, but there is a suite of useful features, including a button to connect an external bank account for quick transfers. Other tools include secure messaging, mobile deposit, and access to outside-account connections.
Winner: Pretty even
Added Services
Recurring and Systematic Investing: Edward Jones offers systematic investing features, including dividend reinvestment, dollar-cost averaging, and systematic selling.
IPO Access: Ameriprise investors can purchase primary offerings of preferred securities and closed-end funds in some situations.
Extended Hours: Trades are generally placed in the regular session at either firm.
Individual Retirement Accounts: Both firms have IRAs, and both firms charge IRA fees that may be waived in certain situations.
DRIP Service: Cash dividends can be reinvested as additional shares in the securities that paid them at either firm. The service may not be available in all account types or for all securities.
Fractional-Share Trading: Only whole shares can generally be purchased at Edward Jones and Ameriprise, although dividend reinvestment can produce fractional shares.
Fully-Paid Securities Lending Program: Neither brokerage house offers it as a standard retail feature.
Winner: Draw
Our Recommendations
Small Accounts: Because both investment firms are full-service outfits, neither one is very
good for small investors. We suggest
Webull instead.
Beginners: Edward Jones and Ameriprise are both good places for novices.
Frequent Equity Trading: Neither outfit is a great place for active stock traders. There is no
typical commission-free trading, for example. Charles Schwab would be a better idea.
Retirement Savers and Long-Term Investors: Either company will do.
Mutual-Fund Trading: Ditto.
Edward Jones vs Ameriprise Judgment
For traditional full-service investing, Edward Jones and Ameriprise both do a decent job of providing a lot of guided services. Investors who want more trading flexibility will probably prefer Ameriprise, while truly self-directed traders should look elsewhere.
Updated on 7/23/2026.
Chad Morris has been analyzing investment firms for Brokerage-Review.com since 2015. Backed by FINRA Series 65, 66, and SIE credentials, his work reflects a deep knowledge of the retail brokerage industry and digital trading tools.
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