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Vanguard Review 2024

Written By

William Berg

Written By

William Berg

William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.

» William Berg Profile Page

Fact Checked By

Tobias Robinson

Fact Checked By

Tobias Robinson

Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.

» Tobias Robinson Profile Page

Updated

Feb 20, 2024

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Available in United States

Overall Rating

2.8 / 5

Vanguard is #33 in our broker rankings.

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Customer Reviews

Minimum Deposit $1

Trading Platforms Own

Instruments Stocks, ETFs

Regulators SEC, FINRA

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP

Payment Options Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service

Pros

• Trusted since 1975 with strong regulatory oversight in the US and UK
• Fully managed accounts providing a hands-off approach to investing
• Retirement and ISA accounts available alongside traditional investing solutions

Cons

• High minimum investment amounts, including $3000 for the majority of mutual funds
• Limited payment methods - credit cards, cheques and e-wallet are not supported
• No demo account available to practise trading risk-free

Vanguard is a US stockbroker that was founded in 1975. The company has a strong reputation for low-cost investments and is fully regulated in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This 2024 Vanguard review will explore all aspects of trading with the firm, including platforms, fees, account types, assets and more. Open an account with Vanguard today.

Vanguard Headlines

Founded by Jack Bogle in 1975, Vanguard has been offering investment opportunities to US investors for over four decades. The company opened its UK office in 2009 and now has a strong global presence through its many subsidiaries and partners. The broker’s services are mainly targeted at US clients and its products vary on a country-to-country basis. For example, retail clients are accepted in the UK but only institutional clients are served in Germany.

As of January 13, 2021, The Vanguard Group holds over $7 trillion in assets under management (AUM), making it the largest provider of mutual funds and the second-largest provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the world. The company is owned by the funds it manages and, by extension, its customers. Bogle is often credited as the creator of the first index fund available to retail investors.

Services & Products

Originally created to offer individual investors the opportunity to invest in index funds, Vanguard now offers a wide range of services that include mutual funds, ETFs,  variable and fixed annuities, educational services, financial planning, trust services and asset management. The company offers more than 3,000 transaction-free mutual funds, as well as an extensive list of stocks, bonds, options, ETFs and CDs, which are charged at different rates.

These assets include ethical funds and index-tracking funds, such as the Global Equity Fund, the U.S. Equity Index Fund, the FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund, the FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF (VEVE), the FTSE U.K. All Share Index Unit Trust, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM), the Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (NASDAQ: VGSH), the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and the S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA), which are all available to clients in the US, Canada and Europe.

Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) is offered by prospectus only but you may be able to find an equivalent. These tracker indices contain a mix of established and emerging markets, as well as class A, B and C shares. Vanguard also offers region-based index funds, such as the Japan Stock Index Fund. Dividend payment dates will vary with each asset, so be sure to check this out.

The asset range offered is similar in size to Charles Schwab’s but smaller than Fidelity‘s, which also gives access to international stock exchanges. All products offered by the firm are from US markets. The broker is aimed at long-term buy-and-hold investors and retirement investors.

If you are looking for a service that selects and manages a multiple fund portfolio in your name, you may be interested in a Vanguard LifeStrategy fund. These are made up of a mix of shares (also known as equities) and bonds. Shares are typically riskier but produce higher yearly returns, while bonds are more stable but offer lower returns. A mix of the two balances risk and reward.

There are five types of LifeStrategy fund: 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, 80/20 and 100, referring to the equity/bond ratio. You can view current prices on the broker’s website. Ensure you have read the LifeStrategy factsheet for your chosen plan and are comfortable with the details.

Trading Platforms

Vanguard Web Trading Platform

Vanguard is aimed at long-term investors, rather than active traders, and the broker’s web trading platform reflects this. If you are familiar with popular trading platforms like MetaTrader or cTrader, the platform may take some getting used to. The site is well-designed but lacks many of the advanced analysis features common on other platforms.

The platform provides four basic order types:

• Day
• Stop
• Limit
• Market
• Stop Limit
• Good Until Cancelled (GTC – 60 days)

The web platform allows traders to set price alerts and notifications for mutual funds, stocks and ETFs. However, this is notably more difficult than other platforms and only email alerts are available.

To set an alert, click on “Stocks and other ETFs” under the “Investing” menu. On the right-hand side, you will now be able to click “Enrol Now” and sign up for email alerts. It is not possible to set alerts while searching for an asset.

By clicking on “Transaction History” under “My Accounts”, you will be able to view your portfolio and fee reports. Unfortunately, these cannot be downloaded.

Vanguard Mobile App

The broker’s mobile app, called Vanguard Investors, is a sleek and user-friendly mobile trading platform that allows you to easily monitor performance. It is available for both Android and iOS devices, though only in English. Much like the web platform, the app is relatively easy to get to grips with.

Searching for assets is easy and results are clear and relevant. You can search both by asset name and ticker. Order types and limits are the same as on the web platform and easily executed. It is not possible to set price alerts and notifications on the mobile app.

Account Types

Vanguard has a wide range of account types that vary depending on your location. Here is a breakdown of some of the main account types:

Individual Brokerage Account – This account is owned and maintained by a single individual. There is no account minimum but you will need $3,000 for most mutual funds. Minimum investments start at $1,000.

Joint Account – With this type of account, you can have two or more equal owners. This has the same requirements as the individual account for all parties involved.

There are also Business Accounts, Roth / Traditional / Rollover IRA Accounts, Education Savings Account, Trust Accounts and Vanguard Personal Advisor Services Accounts. The latter of these is managed by the firm’s technological (robo) and personal advisors.

Vanguard also offers two 401(k) plans. The small-business 401(k) has all the benefits of a typical plan. The individual 401(k) can be contributed to by the employer and employee. The firm is one of few investment companies to offer a Roth 401(k) option.

Through a partnership with Ascensus, Vanguard offers a 401(k) and profit-sharing plan service for companies with assets of less than $20 million.

In the UK, clients have access to:

• Vanguard ISA – Over 70 funds, including stocks and shares, active funds, ETFs and LifeStrategy funds. Invest up to £20,000. Charged at 0.15% per year.
• Vanguard Junior ISA – The kids’ account allows you to choose from over 75 individual funds, including shares, ETFs, active funds and index funds. Invest up to £9,000 and get charged 0.15% per year.
• Vanguard General Account – Choose from over 75 individual funds, including shares, ETFs, active funds and index funds. Charged at 0.15%, capped at £375 per year.
• Vanguard Personal Pension (SIPP) – Full range of over 75 low-cost funds. Charged at 0.15%, capped at £375 per year. You can choose flexible income (drawdown), which allows you to take 25% from your account tax-free and the rest of your pension is moved to a taxable drawdown account.
• Vanguard Personal Financial Planning – £50,000 must be invested in Vanguard accounts for eligibility. The broker will pick and manage a portfolio of up to 13 funds for you. You will not be able to choose your funds or suggest changes to your financial plan.

Fees

For US customers, Vanguard offers zero-commission stock and ETF trading, with no account fees. Some bonds are also free to trade. Fees may be charged depending on the number of assets the client has but the pricing structure is very transparent. There are no inactivity fees and zero withdrawal fees if using ACH.

Vanguard has a low expense ratio. Service fees are waived when you register for secure access to the website or if your balance is more than $50,000. Otherwise, a $20 annual fee is charged. If you wish to trade ETFs at an intra-day price, the broker charges a $7.50 fee for its Quote & Deal service.

Deposits & Withdrawals

US clients can use cheques, automatic clearing house (ACH) and wire transfers to deposit funds. Credit cards, debit cards and e-wallets are not supported. There is no minimum deposit for standard trading accounts but margin trading will require a minimum deposit of $2,000 and using the Vanguard Personal Advisor Services will require an account minimum of $50,000. This is a lot higher than competitors like Hargreaves Lansdown, which requires only $1.

Withdrawals using ACH transfers are free but there is a fee of $10 on any other wire transfer withdrawal. Users with a balance of $1 million or more can withdraw free of charge.

To withdraw from your account, log in and go to “My accounts”. In the “Buy & Sell” menu, select “Transfer money to/from your Vanguard settlement fund”. Choose the transfer type (one-time or regular), your account and your previously connected external account. Finally, add the amount you want to withdraw and initiate the withdrawal.

Deposits and withdrawals are quite limited at Vanguard and could be improved with the addition of e-wallets, which competitors like Fidelity support.

Research & Education

Vanguard offers a selection of high-quality educational videos and archived webinars. Most content is aimed at beginner investors but there is a good amount of information on retirement and tax issues. On top of videos, there are podcasts and downloadable PDFs. You can access these materials under the “News & Perspectives” menu from your account.

Unfortunately, there is no option to open a demo account. Demo accounts can be a great way to try out a broker’s platform and practice investment strategies risk-free. This would be especially useful given there are no tutorials available on the trading platform itself.

Customer Support

There are two ways to get in touch with Vanguard:

• Email & Secure Message – If you are an existing client, you will be able to send a secure message through the inbox section on your account. You should receive a prompt response. If you are a new customer, you can receive support via email by creating a ticket on the broker’s website and you should get a response in 1-2 days.
• Telephone – Vanguard has several different phone lines, depending on your location and what kind of account you have. Be sure to check the website and use the correct contact number to ease waiting times. The phone lines are open 08:00 – 22:00 ET for US clients and 09:00 – 17:00 GMT for UK clients.

Overall, we found Vanguard’s customer service to be timely and helpful. However, access to 24/7 support and an instant live chat are important factors in the modern climate.

The broker is also present across social media, actively managing accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the company’s own blog.

Security & Regulation

Vanguard has been operating for over 40 years and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This is a clear indication of a firm with a strong reputation for safety and security.

All customers are protected by a US investor protection scheme called SIPC. SIPC can provide up to $500,000 if the broker goes bust, which includes a $250,000 limit for cash.

The broker uses modern online security techniques like two-factor authentication (2FA) but does not offer negative balance protection.

Vanguard Verdict

Vanguard is one of the biggest and longest operating brokers in the US. It is regulated by top-tier institutions and offers free stock and ETF trading, making it a good option for long-term, low-activity traders. If you are interested in trading on markets outside of the US, forex, crypto or other volatile assets you may find better broker options elsewhere. Vanguard also has limited deposit and withdrawal functions and does not offer a demo account.

FAQs

Is Vanguard Safe?

Vanguard is a legitimate broker that has operated since 1975 and manages over $7 trillion in assets. Regulated by top-tier authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), there are few brokers out there with a better reputation and standing.

What Services Does Vanguard Offer?

Vanguard offers free mutual fund, stock, ETF and options trading. Clients have access to many popular ETFs and mutual funds, including Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX), U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX), U.S. Value Fund (VUVLX) Aside from this, the firm offers a wealth of other features that include educational services, financial planning, trust services and asset management. UK clients also have access to ISA accounts. Ensure you have read the key investor information document (KIID) before you invest in any funds.

What Is The Minimum Deposit With Vanguard?

Standard trading accounts have no minimum deposit and require a balance of at least $0. Margin accounts require a minimum balance of $2,000, while a balance of $50,000 or more must be maintained for access to the Vanguard Personal Advisor Services.

How Long Do Withdrawals Take With Vanguard?

Withdrawals can take up to 5 days to reach your account, depending on your payment method.

How Are My Assets With Vanguard Protected?

In the US, all Vanguard customers are protected under the SIPC scheme which provides up to $500,000 compensation if the broker goes bust. This includes a $250,000 limit for cash. In the UK, clients are protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) which is limited to £85,000.

Is Vanguard Right For Me?

Vanguard primarily targets retirement or long-term growth investors, with a wide range of account types and a variety of asset classes. Trading fees are competitive and additional features include robo advisors and educational content. However, active traders or those interested in forex and crypto trading may find better options elsewhere.

Top 3 Alternatives to Vanguard

Compare Vanguard with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

1. Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
   Go to Interactive Brokers
2. IG – Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
   Go to IG
3. Firstrade – Firstrade is a US-headquartered discount broker-dealer with authorization from the SEC. The company is also a member of FINRA/SIPC. With welcome bonuses, powerful tools and apps, plus commission-free trading, Firstrade Securities is a popular online brokerage. It is also quick and easy to open a new account.
   Go to Firstrade

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