Investing comparison
Betterment vs Vanguard
Updated
Data as of
Betterment checked Vanguard checked
I earn commissions from some links.
Betterment
Investing app
Visit site for Betterment (opens in a new tab)
Vanguard
Investing app
Visit site for Vanguard (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Betterment if you want a managed portfolio with no minimum (Vanguard lists $100) or the higher App Store rating (4.8, compared with 4.6).
- Pick Vanguard if you want features for kids or teens.
- The biggest difference is the managed portfolio minimum: Betterment lists no minimum, and Vanguard lists $100.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Betterment vs Vanguard at a glance
Betterment
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 66,359 ratings
- Platforms
- 3Web, iOS, Android
- Vanguard
- Rating
- 4.6 of 5App Store, 177,567 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
What it costs
- Betterment
Betterment's base price for investing accounts is $5/month. It switches to 0.25% a year of your investing balance once you set up recurring monthly deposits of $200 or more or reach a $24,000 balance. Premium is 0.65% a year and needs $100,000 invested.
Source
betterment.com/pricing, checked . - Vanguard
Vanguard Digital Advisor charges an annual gross advisory fee of 0.20% for index portfolio options or 0.25% for an active portfolio option. That fee is reduced by a credit for revenue Vanguard keeps from the investments in your account.
Source
investor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
Betterment and Vanguard, side by side
| Detail | Betterment | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Account minimumDiffers | BettermentBetterment says pricing for its investment portfolios begins at $5/month, with no minimum balance. Sourcebetterment.com/pricing, checked . | VanguardVanguard says there's no fee or minimum investment amount to open an account. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, checked . |
| Stock and ETF commissionsDiffers | BettermentBetterment says you'll pay no trading commissions on stocks and ETFs, and its management fee doesn't apply to those trades. Sourcebetterment.com/pricing, checked . | VanguardVanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/investment-fees, checked . |
| Account typesDiffers | BettermentBetterment lists these account types: Taxable investing accounts, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Solo 401(k) and HSA. Sourcebetterment.com/pricing, checked . | VanguardVanguard lists these account types: Brokerage accounts, Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, Spousal IRAs, Custodial IRAs, UGMA/UTMA, 529 accounts, Trust accounts, Organization accounts, 403(b) services and Cash Plus Account. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans, checked . |
| Fractional sharesDiffers | BettermentBetterment says you can invest in fractional shares with no minimums in its self-directed investing account, with no trading commissions or management fees. Sourcebetterment.com/self-directed-investing, checked . | VanguardVanguard says dollar-based trading lets you buy a Vanguard ETF for as little as $1, regardless of the ETF's share price. |
| Automatic investingDiffers | BettermentBetterment says it automates portfolio rebalancing, dividend reinvesting and taxes for you. Sourcebetterment.com, checked . | VanguardVanguard says its robo-advisor uses an algorithm to automatically build and rebalance a portfolio. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, checked . |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | BettermentBetterment says it builds a diversified portfolio and handles all trading, rebalancing and tax management for you. Sourcebetterment.com, checked . | VanguardVanguard Digital Advisor is Vanguard's all-digital robo-advisor. Enrolling requires at least $100 in each Vanguard Brokerage Account. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | BettermentBetterment Securities is a member of SIPC, which protects securities of its members up to $500K (including $250K for claims for cash). Sourcebetterment.com, checked . | VanguardVanguard says its accounts are protected by SIPC, which covers up to $500,000 in securities and up to $250,000 in cash if the firm fails. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | BettermentBetterment lists Web, iOS and Android. Sourcebetterment.com/help/tag/mobile-app, checked . | VanguardVanguard lists iOS and Android. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/mobile-apps, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | BettermentBetterment has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 66,359 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | VanguardVanguard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 177,567 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Betterment
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "An easy way to invest and save" showing a home screen with net worth and accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe home screen: Good morning, Alex with Total net worth $150,106.05 and Betterment balance $129,909.68, then Accounts for Cash Reserve $8,000.00, Automated investing $40,363.66, Self-directed investing $5,627.20 and Retirement $75,915.12 on track.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Access your investments seamlessly all in one place" showing a real-time quote card and a watchlist card.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
Betterment
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "New customers earn 4.25% APY with our high-yield cash account" showing a Cash Reserve account.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageCash Reserve with a $17,032.38 balance, a callout with Current APY 4.25% Boosted, FDIC insurance up to $4M and total interest paid, Deposit and Transfer buttons and Recent activity.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageCurrent APY 4.25% with a Boosted tag, FDIC Insurance up to $4M and Total interest paid +$195.16.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image showing the Portfolio tab with a total balance, a chart and an Accounts list, next to a Portfolio watch card.App Store listing, as of
Transactions
Betterment
App Store marketing imageRecent activity: a $1,000.00 pending deposit from bank checking and a $200.00 withdrawal to bank checking, each with date and time.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
No official screen found yet
Goals
Betterment
No official screen found yet
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageThe Explore tab on Browse: Browse by goal with Retirement and Short-term savings cards, and Browse by product type with ETFs and Mutual funds.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
Betterment
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Easily track your performance" showing a Performance screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imagePerformance: balance $162,387.10, up $30,387.10 all time, a balance and invested chart from 2011 to today with time range buttons, and Accounts for Cash Reserve and Automated Investing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageBalance $162,387.10 with a Balance and Invested line chart from $35k to $175k and All, 5Y, 3Y, 1Y, YTD, 3M and 1M buttons.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
No official screen found yet
Investments
Betterment
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Buy and sell stocks and ETFs with a platform you trust" showing Self-directed investing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageSelf-directed investing with a $30,000.00 balance, up $1,225.23 (+5.00%) all time, a chart from June 2023 to today and Holdings for Amazon $4,206.74 and Netflix $3,597.55.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Build long-term wealth with automated investing" showing portfolio options.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imagePortfolio options: Choose a portfolio to invest in, with Betterment Core selected and Goldman Sachs Smart Beta, Innovative Technology, Goldman Sachs Tax-Smart Bonds, Social Impact, Broad Impact and Climate Impact.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Invest with our tax-saving tech that can help grow your after-tax returns year-round" showing account benefits.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAutomated Investing account benefits: Automated rebalancing, a Tax losses harvested $1,742.55 callout, Dividends earned $383.91 and Set up a recurring deposit.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageHoldings with an Add asset link: Amazon AMZN $4,206.74 for 21.76 shares and Netflix NFLX $3,597.55 for 5 shares.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTax losses harvested $1,742.55.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageA Real-time quote card for BLV, Vanguard Long Term Bond Index ETF, at $69.225 with last trade details and a Buy button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageYour watchlists with Watchlist, Compare funds and Learn chips: Vanguard Total Market ETFs listing BND, BNDX and VTI with prices and daily changes.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imagePortfolio watch comparing your portfolio, 75% and 25%, with a target portfolio of 65%, 25% and 10%, a table of stocks, bonds, short-term and other, and Transaction history and Open orders links.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageBuy and sell with three round buttons: ETFs and stocks, Buy mutual funds and Sell mutual funds.App Store listing, as of
Transfer and send
Betterment
App Store marketing imageA blue Deposit button and a Transfer button with a dropdown arrow.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageThe Transact tab: S&P 500, DJIA and NASDAQ moves, Personal investor and Employer plan tabs, a Get quote search, Buy and sell buttons and Transfer money buttons for Deposit, Withdraw, Contribute and Roll over.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTransfer money with four round buttons: Deposit, Withdraw, Contribute and Roll over.App Store listing, as of
Settings and security
Betterment
No official screen found yet
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Tools to maximize your account security" showing a Security profile screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Security profile: a green gauge reading Security score Excellent and a Completed list with security questions, security codes, MFA frequency, email address, trusted contact, account alerts and biometrics.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA green half-circle gauge with the label Security score Excellent.App Store listing, as of
Other screens
Betterment
No official screen found yet
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Resources to help make your goals a reality" showing the Explore tab on Learn.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Explore tab on Learn: a Vanguard's philosophy carousel with a Start with your goals card, Just added articles such as IRA withdrawal rules and Investing basics.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imagePlanning & advice with Naomi Davis CFP, Senior Financial Advisor, and buttons for Financial goals, Advice summary, Contact & appointments and Investor profile.App Store listing, as of
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Can I export my data?
Betterment: Yes. You can export your data.
Source
In their words: “The CSV download of your 1099-B can also be useful to sort the information in different ways, or to import into other software.” betterment.com/help/tax-importing-taxact, checked .Vanguard: Yes. You can export your data.
Source
In their words: “See answers to questions about our online services that help you consolidate outside accounts and download transactions to personal financial software.” investor.vanguard.com/technical-support, checked .Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Betterment: Yes. Phone.
Source
In their words: “Call us directly at (718) 400-6898 .” betterment.com/contact, checked .Vanguard: Yes. Phone.
Source
In their words: “Our Client Services team is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time” corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/contact-us.html, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Betterment: No.
Source
In their words: “Betterment only supports accounts for individuals the ages of 18 or older.” betterment.com/help/tag/beneficiaries, checked .Vanguard: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Any adult resident of the U.S. can open or contribute to an UGMA or UTMA.” investor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/ugma-utma, checked .
Freelancer
Paid on an uneven schedule or running a side hustle? Here's what each app offers. See apps with a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k).
Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Betterment: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “With Betterment, you can automatically import your tax information into TurboTax.” betterment.com/help/tax-importing-turbotax, checked .Vanguard: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “Yes, you'll be able to import Forms 1099-B, 1099-DIV, and 1099-R directly into your returns.” investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/taxes/tax-questions, checked .
Business
Running a small business? Here's what each app says about business money.
Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Betterment: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “With Betterment, you can automatically import your tax information into TurboTax.” betterment.com/help/tax-importing-turbotax, checked .Vanguard: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “Yes, you'll be able to import Forms 1099-B, 1099-DIV, and 1099-R directly into your returns.” investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/taxes/tax-questions, checked .Can I share my finances with my accountant?
Betterment: Yes. You can export your data and send the file.
Source
In their words: “The CSV download of your 1099-B can also be useful to sort the information in different ways, or to import into other software.” betterment.com/help/tax-importing-taxact, checked .Vanguard: Yes. You can export your data and send the file.
Source
In their words: “See answers to questions about our online services that help you consolidate outside accounts and download transactions to personal financial software.” investor.vanguard.com/technical-support, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Betterment nor Vanguard feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
FAQ
How much does Betterment charge?
Betterment's base price for investing accounts is $5/month. It switches to 0.25% a year of your investing balance once you set up recurring monthly deposits of $200 or more or reach a $24,000 balance. Premium is 0.65% a year and needs $100,000 invested. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
How much does Vanguard charge?
Vanguard Digital Advisor charges an annual gross advisory fee of 0.20% for index portfolio options or 0.25% for an active portfolio option. That fee is reduced by a credit for revenue Vanguard keeps from the investments in your account. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
What is Betterment's app store rating?
Betterment has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 66,359 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
What is Vanguard's app store rating?
Vanguard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 177,567 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- See Betterment alternatives, closest category first.
- See Vanguard alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 20 facts, each linked and dated
Betterment10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feebetterment.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumbetterment.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsbetterment.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesbetterment.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesbetterment.com/self-directed-investing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingbetterment.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)betterment.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionbetterment.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsbetterment.com/help/tag/mobile-app, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
Vanguard10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feeinvestor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimuminvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsinvestor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/investment-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesinvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesinvestor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/article/what-is-dollar-based-investing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investinginvestor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)investor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectioninvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsinvestor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/mobile-apps, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
