Vanguard

This is where Vanguard earns its reputation — and where you need to read the fine print.

Trading commissions:

• $0 for online stock and ETF trades (including non-Vanguard ETFs)
• $0 for Vanguard mutual fund trades online
• $0 for 3,000+ no-transaction-fee (NTF) mutual funds from other companies
• $25 per trade for broker-assisted trades (waived for accounts with $1M+ in Vanguard assets)
• Up to $1 per contract for options trades — that's expensive compared to Schwab's $0.65 or Robinhood's $0
• $20 per trade for transaction-fee (TF) mutual funds from other companies (reduced or waived for higher balances)

Account fees:

• $25 annual fee per brokerage account — but easily waived by signing up for electronic delivery of statements
• $25 per fund for mutual fund-only accounts
• $0 account fees for clients with $5M+ in qualifying Vanguard assets
• $100 account closing/full transfer fee — ouch
• $0 inactivity fee

Fund expense ratios:

• Vanguard's average: 0.07% (asset-weighted)
• Industry average: 0.44% (asset-weighted, excluding Vanguard)
• That's a massive difference. On a $100,000 portfolio, you'd pay $70/year at Vanguard vs. $440 at the industry average

Mutual fund minimums:

• Target Retirement Funds and STAR Fund: $1,000
• Most index funds (Admiral Shares): $3,000
• Most actively managed funds (Investor Shares): $3,000; Admiral Shares: $50,000
• Sector-specific index funds: $100,000
• Vanguard ETFs: as low as $1 through their fractional share program

Margin rates (9.50% base rate as of Dec 12, 2025):

• Up to $19,999: 12.00%
• $20,000–$49,999: 11.50%
• $50,000–$99,999: 11.00%
• $100,000–$249,999: 10.50%
• $250,000–$499,999: 10.00%
• $500,000+: Call for rates
• Wealth Management clients ($5M+): capped at the U.S. prime rate (6.75% currently)

These margin rates are not competitive. Interactive Brokers charges far less, and even Fidelity typically undercuts Vanguard here. If you're borrowing, shop elsewhere.

Vanguard offers a broad lineup of accounts — basically everything a long-term investor needs:

Personal accounts:

• Individual brokerage (taxable)
• Joint brokerage
• Traditional IRA
• Roth IRA
• Spousal IRA
• SEP-IRA (for self-employed)
• Individual 401(k)
• SIMPLE IRA
• 403(b) plans
• UGMA/UTMA (custodial accounts for minors)
• 529 savings plans
• Trust accounts
• Organization/business accounts
• Cash Plus Account (high-yield cash account with 3.35% APY through April 2026)

What you can trade:

• Stocks
• ETFs (including Vanguard's legendary lineup)
• Mutual funds (3,600+ NTF options)
• Options
• Bonds
• CDs

What you can't trade:

• Cryptocurrency — not available at all
• Futures — nope
• Forex — nope
• Fractional shares of individual stocks — only Vanguard ETFs support fractional shares (as low as $1)

The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500 (or $8,600 if you're 50+). There's $0 to open any account, though fund minimums apply once you start investing.

The good stuff:

• Rock-bottom fund costs. Vanguard's 0.07% average expense ratio is genuinely unmatched at scale. Their latest 2026 expense ratio cuts deliver an additional $250 million in savings to investors.
• Investor-owned structure. Vanguard is owned by its funds, which are owned by their shareholders. There's no outside owner trying to maximize profits at your expense. This is unique among major brokers.
• Strong fund performance. 84% of Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs outperformed their peer-group averages over the past 10 years. That's not luck — that's low costs compounding over time.
• Excellent price improvement. 99.5% of Vanguard ETF shares bought and sold through a Vanguard account were executed at a better price than the quoted market price.
• J.D. Power #1 for DIY investors — ranked highest in investor satisfaction 4 out of 5 years.
• Advisory service tiers. From the Digital Advisor robo at ~0.15% net fee ($100 minimum) to Personal Advisor at ~0.30% ($50K minimum) to Wealth Management ($5M+), there's a path for every stage of wealth.
• Cash Plus Account offers a competitive 3.35% APY (with boost through April 2026).

The not-so-good:

• The trading platform is basic. There's no equivalent to Schwab's thinkorswim or Fidelity's Active Trader Pro. You get a website and a mobile app — functional, but bare-bones for anything beyond buy-and-hold.
• No fractional shares for individual stocks. Fidelity and Schwab both offer this. Vanguard only supports fractional shares on their own ETFs.
• $1 per options contract is steep. Schwab charges $0.65. Robinhood charges $0. If you trade options regularly, the difference adds up fast.
• Mutual fund minimums are high. $3,000 for most index funds is a real barrier for beginners, even though ETFs can be bought for $1+.
• $100 account closing fee. Transferring out costs money, which feels punitive.
• Limited research tools. Only two research providers (Argus and Market Grader). Schwab and Fidelity offer significantly more third-party research.
• Margin rates are expensive. 10%–12% effective rates put Vanguard well behind Interactive Brokers and Fidelity for margin borrowing.

Vanguard is ideal for:

• Long-term, buy-and-hold investors. If your strategy is "buy index funds, reinvest dividends, check back in 20 years," Vanguard was built for you. Literally.
• Retirement savers. The IRA and 401(k) options are solid, the fund selection is world-class, and the low expense ratios mean more of your money compounds over decades.
• Cost-conscious investors. Nobody does low-cost funds better. Period. The ownership structure ensures costs stay low.
• People who want advisory help without getting gouged. Digital Advisor at ~0.15% and Personal Advisor at ~0.30% are among the cheapest advisory options in the industry.
• High-net-worth investors. The $5M+ Wealth Management tier offers estate planning, private equity access, and margin rates capped at the prime rate.

Vanguard is NOT for:

• Active traders. The platform is too basic, research is limited, and there's no advanced charting or screening worth mentioning.
• Options traders. $1 per contract is a dealbreaker when competitors charge $0.65 or less.
• Crypto-curious investors. Zero crypto exposure available.
• Beginners with small amounts. While ETFs start at $1, the $3,000 mutual fund minimums and lack of fractional stock shares make it harder to start small compared to Fidelity or Schwab.
• Anyone who cares about a flashy app. The mobile experience is functional but dated.

Vanguard vs. Fidelity: Fidelity is the closest competitor and arguably better for most people. Fidelity offers $0 commissions, fractional shares for stocks, zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FNILX), a superior trading platform, more research tools, and no mutual fund minimums on its own funds. Where Vanguard wins: its unique ownership structure, slightly better price improvement on trades, and the depth of its in-house fund lineup.

Vanguard vs. Schwab: Schwab offers $0 commissions, $0.65 options contracts, the thinkorswim trading platform, fractional stock shares (Schwab Stock Slices), and no account minimums. Schwab is better for active traders and options traders. Vanguard wins on fund expense ratios and its investor-first ownership model.

Vanguard vs. Robinhood: Completely different animals. Robinhood offers $0 everything (stocks, ETFs, options), crypto trading, and a slick mobile app. But Robinhood has a tiny fund selection, no mutual funds, no bonds, limited account types, and no advisory services. For serious long-term investing, Vanguard is the better choice by a mile.

Vanguard vs. Interactive Brokers: IBKR is the clear winner for active traders, options traders, and margin borrowers. Much lower margin rates, more tradable asset classes (including futures and forex), and professional-grade tools. But IBKR's interface is intimidating for casual investors, and its fund lineup doesn't match Vanguard's depth.