These two get lumped together because both lean heritage, but they're different beasts.
Little Greene is the all-rounder. With 251 colours it gives you proper range — 48 greens, 44 neutrals, 28 blues, and an LRV span from a near-black 0.4 up to 98. The colours have real depth and the brand's Intelligent and Absolute ranges cover everything from kitchens to woodwork to exterior masonry. A blue like Air Force Blue has that confident, slightly inky character Little Greene does so well, and Mister David is a lovely soft choice when you want warmth without going full beige. It's widely stocked, easy to colour-match, and you'll rarely be stuck for a finish.
Edward Bulmer is the purist's choice. It's a genuinely natural paint — plant-based binders, earth and mineral pigments, no acrylics or petrochemicals. That gives a soft, chalky, almost breathable depth to the colour that's hard to fake. The palette is smaller at 146 colours, but it's beautifully curated around historic interiors: 31 greens, 16 browns, plenty of muted creams. Silver White is a clean, gentle off-white, and Jonquil brings that gorgeous soft historic yellow that modern brands tend to oversaturate. LRVs run 3.8 to 98.
The "but what about durability?" question is the real one. Little Greene's modern resins wipe down and wear better in high-traffic spots — hallways, kids' rooms, kitchens. Edward Bulmer is more delicate and you'll want to be realistic about scuffs, though it's the better conscience-clear choice for a period home, a nursery, or anyone sensitive to VOCs.
My honest steer: if you want one brand to do a whole house with minimal fuss, go Little Greene. If you're decorating a Georgian or Victorian room and you care about authentic, low-toxicity finish over scrubbability, Edward Bulmer is worth the extra planning. Order samples of both, paint them large, and judge in your own light before committing.