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Brokerage Account Review📊 Best Index Funds

Vanguard

Vanguard

Stock trades $0. Long-term index fund investors, retirement savers, passive investors.

At a Glance

Stock Trades

$0

Options Trades

$1.00/contract

Min. Deposit

$0

Research Tools

Basic

Fractional Shares

Yes

Crypto Trading

No

Rates & Fees

Stock Trades

$0

Options Trades

$1.00/contract

Min. Deposit

$0

Account/Inactivity Fee

None with e-delivery of statements; $25/yr on some accounts if paper statements are selected

Full Transfer-Out Fee

None for a full account transfer

Key Features

Home of the index fund — Vanguard pioneered low-cost passive investing

Investor-owned structure means profits go back to shareholders (lower fees)

Best selection of low-cost index funds and ETFs in the industry

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Unbeatable expense ratios on index funds
  • Investor-owned — no profit motive to charge more
  • Best for long-term buy-and-hold investors
  • Widest retirement account selection

Tradeoffs

  • No active trading tools — not for day traders
  • Website/app lags competitors in UX
  • No crypto, no margin trading
  • $1/contract options fee is higher than most

Best for: Long-term index fund investors, retirement savers, passive investors

How to Apply

Decide which account type fits your goal — Vanguard offers Individual, Joint, Roth IRA, and more.

Have your Social Security number, employment information, and a funding source (bank account or transfer) ready.

Open the account directly on Vanguard's site or app; identity verification is required by federal law for all brokerages.

Fund the account with any amount — this broker has no minimum deposit requirement.

Review commission schedules and any account fees before placing your first trade.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted
ProductStock TradesOptions TradesMin. Deposit
Vanguard$0$1.00/contract$0
Fidelity Investments$0$0.65/contract$0
Charles Schwab$0$0.65/contract$0
E*TRADE$0$0.65/contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades/qtr)$0

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vanguard charge fees to trade stocks?

Vanguard's stock trade commission is "$0." Options trades are priced at $1.00/contract, and other fees (like broker-assisted trades or account transfers) can still apply.

What's the minimum deposit for Vanguard?

Vanguard doesn't require a minimum deposit to open an account, so you can start with any amount.

Can I trade fractional shares and crypto with Vanguard?

Vanguard supports fractional shares, and does not offer direct crypto trading.

Are there any ongoing or account-closing fees with Vanguard?

Account/inactivity fee: None with e-delivery of statements; $25/yr on some accounts if paper statements are selected. Fee to transfer your full account to another broker: None for a full account transfer. Transfer-out fees are common industry-wide and are charged by the broker you're leaving, not the one you're moving to.

How does Vanguard compare to other brokerages?

See the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives side by side, or browse the full list of brokerage accounts to compare commissions, minimums, and platform features.

Other Brokerage Accounts

Fidelity Investments

Stock trades: $0

Charles Schwab

Stock trades: $0

E*TRADE

Stock trades: $0

Fees and features shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the broker before opening an account.

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