Vanguard
FeaturedFreemiumPioneer of index investing with the lowest-cost funds in the industry
📈Online BrokeragesAbout Vanguard
Vanguard invented the index fund and remains the gold standard for low-cost, long-term investing. The company is unique in being owned by its funds, which are in turn owned by their shareholders — this structure eliminates conflicts of interest and keeps costs as low as possible. Vanguard manages over $8 trillion in assets and offers some of the lowest expense ratios in the industry. While not designed for active trading, Vanguard is the ideal platform for buy-and-hold investors focused on building wealth through diversified, low-cost portfolios over decades.
What's Great
- ✓Lowest-cost index funds and ETFs in the industry
- ✓Investor-owned structure eliminates conflicts of interest
- ✓Manages over $8 trillion — the most trusted name in index investing
- ✓Zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs
- ✓Excellent target-date retirement funds for set-it-and-forget-it investing
Watch Out For
- !Trading platform and website feel outdated and slow
- !Not designed for active or frequent trading
- !Customer service can have long wait times during busy periods
- !Mutual fund minimums can be high for some flagship funds
Common Use Cases
Long-term passive investor building wealth with low-cost index funds
Retiree wanting target-date funds for simplified retirement portfolio management
Cost-conscious investor who prioritizes the lowest possible expense ratios
Pricing Model
Freemium
Free plan available. Paid plans unlock advanced features and higher limits.
Category
Online Brokerages
Full-service and discount brokerages for trading stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds.
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