Vanguard Brokerage Account Review 2026: Buy and hold investors in Vanguard funds and ETFs who will sign up for e-delivery
Firsthand does not earn a commission from this product. We include it because rankings limited to affiliate partners can't be trusted.
Our verdict
Vanguard's fee schedule, effective July 10, 2026, sets prices by qualifying assets. For clients under $1 million, online stock and ETF trades are $0, Vanguard mutual funds are $0 online, options are $0 plus $1 per contract, and transaction fee funds from other companies are $20 online (as of 2026-10-02). Phone trades carry a $25 broker-assisted commission. Vanguard may charge a $25 annual account service fee, waived for clients who choose e-delivery and in several other cases, and a $100 processing fee for each account closure or full transfer to another firm. Those extra charges are why Vanguard scores lowest on fees here. Brokerage assets are held through Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation, member FINRA and SIPC, and FINRA BrokerCheck lists Vanguard Marketing Corporation (CRD 7452) as active. Confirm current fees on Vanguard's page.
Score breakdown
- Fees (25%)6.0/10
- Value & Returns (25%)8.0/10
- Transparency (20%)8.0/10
- Security & Trust (15%)9.0/10
- Support (15%)7.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Buy and hold investors in Vanguard funds and ETFs who will sign up for e-delivery.
Pricing
$0 online stock and ETF trades; $0 online Vanguard mutual fund trades; options $1 per contract; $25 annual account service fee unless waived (as of 2026-10-02)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs (online) | $0 | Clients under $1M qualifying assets (as of 2026-10-02). |
| Options | $0 + $1 per contract | Clients under $1M qualifying assets (as of 2026-10-02). |
| Annual account service fee | $25 | Waived with e-delivery and in other listed cases (as of 2026-10-02). |
| Account closure or full transfer out | $100 | Per Vanguard's fee schedule (as of 2026-10-02). |
What the evidence says
- Effective July 10, 2026: under $1M QA, $0 online stocks and ETFs, $25 broker-assisted; options $0 + $1 per contract; Vanguard funds $0 online; TF funds $20 online; $25 annual account service fee waived with e-delivery; $100 account closure or full transfer fee; Vanguard Marketing Corporation member FINRA and SIPC (as of 2026-10-02). (Vanguard: Brokerage commission and fee schedules (official))
- VANGUARD MARKETING CORPORATION, CRD 7452, status active (as of 2026-10-02). (FINRA BrokerCheck (firm search))
Pros & cons
Pros
- $0 online trades for stocks, ETFs and Vanguard mutual funds (as of 2026-10-02)
- Fee schedule is dated (effective July 10, 2026) and broken out by asset level (as of 2026-10-02)
- The $25 annual account service fee is waived if you choose e-delivery of statements and documents (as of 2026-10-02)
- Vanguard Brokerage Services is a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation, member FINRA and SIPC; BrokerCheck lists Vanguard Marketing Corporation (CRD 7452) as active
Cons & red flags
- Options cost $1 per contract for clients under $1 million in qualifying assets, higher than the other brokers here (as of 2026-10-02)
- Transaction fee mutual funds from other companies cost $20 online (as of 2026-10-02)
- $100 processing fee for each account closure or full transfer to another firm (as of 2026-10-02)
- $25 broker-assisted commission per trade for most clients (as of 2026-10-02)
How it compares
Vanguard Brokerage Account scores 7.5/10 in our brokerages & investing evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Online Brokerages of 2026.
- Fidelity Brokerage Account review — 8.7/10, self-directed investors who want $0 online stock and etf trades, no account minimum, and clearly dated margin rates
- Charles Schwab Brokerage Account review — 8.5/10, investors who want $0 online stock and etf trades, a large no transaction fee fund list, and no minimums
Frequently asked questions
How do I avoid Vanguard's $25 account fee?
Vanguard waives it for clients who elect e-delivery of statements, confirmations, reports and notices, among other listed conditions (as of 2026-10-02).
Is Vanguard a SIPC member?
Vanguard says brokerage assets are held through Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation, member FINRA and SIPC, and FINRA BrokerCheck lists the firm (CRD 7452) as active (as of 2026-10-02).
Does Vanguard charge to leave?
It may charge a $100 processing fee for each account closure and full transfer of assets to another firm (as of 2026-10-02).
Get evidence-based money picks in your inbox — no hype.
Join The Firsthand Money Brief for a weekly, research-first read.
We never sell your email. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.