Investing comparison
E*TRADE vs Vanguard
Updated
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.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Short answer
E*TRADE and Vanguard are both investing apps. E*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+, while Vanguard Digital Advisor charges an annual gross advisory fee of 0.20% for index portfolio options or 0.25% for an active portfolio option. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026, and the official sources differ on 7 of the 10 rows in the table below.
E*TRADE vs Vanguard at a glance
E*TRADE and Vanguard are both investing apps. This page puts what each company's official pages and app store listings say side by side, with the date we checked every fact. The sources differ on 7 of the 10 rows in the table below.
Management or subscription fee
E*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+. 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 both on Oct 24, 2026.
Account minimum
E*TRADE says Core Portfolios are managed for a 0.30% annual advisory fee and a $500 minimum. Vanguard says there's no fee or minimum investment amount to open an account. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Stock and ETF commissions
E*TRADE lists standard commissions of $0 for stock and options trades, plus $0.65 per options contract. Vanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Account types
E*TRADE lists these account types: Brokerage account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Coverdell ESA, Custodial Account and Brokerage account for a minor. Vanguard 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. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Fractional shares
Vanguard says dollar-based trading lets you buy a Vanguard ETF for as little as $1, regardless of the ETF's share price. We haven't verified this for E*TRADE yet, so check the official site for E*TRADE before you decide. We checked Vanguard on Oct 24, 2026.
Automatic investing
E*TRADE says Core Portfolios are rebalanced as necessary using advanced technology. Vanguard says its robo-advisor uses an algorithm to automatically build and rebalance a portfolio. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Managed portfolios (robo)
Core Portfolios is E*TRADE's professionally managed advisory solution that builds, monitors and manages a portfolio. Vanguard Digital Advisor is Vanguard's all-digital robo-advisor. Enrolling requires at least $100 in each Vanguard Brokerage Account. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Protection
Vanguard 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. We haven't verified this for E*TRADE yet, so check the official site for E*TRADE before you decide. We checked Vanguard on Oct 24, 2026.
App store rating
E*TRADE has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 380,760 ratings. Vanguard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 177,560 ratings. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026. Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score.
What it costs
E*TRADEE*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+.
- 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.
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.
At a glance
App Store rating
- E*TRADE
- 4.7380,760 ratings
- Vanguard
- 4.6177,560 ratings
Source
- E*TRADE has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 380,760 ratings. App Store listing, as of Oct 24, 2026.
- Vanguard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 177,560 ratings. App Store listing, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Platforms
- E*TRADE
- Not verified yet
- Vanguard
- Not verified yet
Source
- E*TRADE: Not verified yet.
- Vanguard: Not verified yet.
Account minimum
- E*TRADE
- E*TRADE says Core Portfolios are managed for a 0.30% annual advisory fee and a $500 minimum.
- Vanguard
- Vanguard says there's no fee or minimum investment amount to open an account.
Source
- E*TRADE says Core Portfolios are managed for a 0.30% annual advisory fee and a $500 minimum. us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026.
- Vanguard says there's no fee or minimum investment amount to open an account. investor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Stock and ETF commissions
- E*TRADE
- E*TRADE lists standard commissions of $0 for stock and options trades, plus $0.65 per options contract.
- Vanguard
- Vanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative.
Source
- E*TRADE lists standard commissions of $0 for stock and options trades, plus $0.65 per options contract. us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Oct 24, 2026.
- Vanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative. investor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/investment-fees, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Protection
- E*TRADE
- Not verified yet
- Vanguard
- Vanguard 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.
Source
- E*TRADE: Not verified yet.
- Vanguard 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. investor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Features
We haven't verified a feature list for either app yet, so this grid is empty for now.
✓ means the official site lists it. ? means we haven't verified it yet, not that the app lacks it.
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.
Other screens
E*TRADE
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 1 of 4 from the E*TRADE listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 2 of 4 from the E*TRADE listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 3 of 4 from the E*TRADE listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 4 of 4 from the E*TRADE listing.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 1 of 4 from the Vanguard listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 2 of 4 from the Vanguard listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 3 of 4 from the Vanguard listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 4 of 4 from the Vanguard listing.App Store listing, as of
E*TRADE and Vanguard, side by side
Rows marked “Differs” are where the official sources say different things, and 7 rows do here.
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps.
| Field | E*TRADEInvesting appE*TRADE, from Morgan Stanley, is a brokerage with an investing app, retirement and education accounts, and managed Core Portfolios.Visit E*TRADE's site | VanguardInvesting appVanguard is a fund company and brokerage with an investing app, retirement and custodial accounts, and a robo-advisor called Vanguard Digital Advisor.Visit Vanguard's site |
|---|---|---|
| Management or subscription feeDiffers | E*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates | 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.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor |
| Account minimumDiffers | E*TRADE says Core Portfolios are managed for a 0.30% annual advisory fee and a $500 minimum.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts | Vanguard says there's no fee or minimum investment amount to open an account.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts |
| Stock and ETF commissionsDiffers | E*TRADE lists standard commissions of $0 for stock and options trades, plus $0.65 per options contract.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates | Vanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/investment-fees |
| Account typesDiffers | E*TRADE lists these account types: Brokerage account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Coverdell ESA, Custodial Account and Brokerage account for a minor.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts | Vanguard 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.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans |
| Fractional shares | Not verified yet. | Vanguard says dollar-based trading lets you buy a Vanguard ETF for as little as $1, regardless of the ETF's share price.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/article/what-is-dollar-based-investing |
| Automatic investingDiffers | E*TRADE says Core Portfolios are rebalanced as necessary using advanced technology.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates | Vanguard says its robo-advisor uses an algorithm to automatically build and rebalance a portfolio.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | Core Portfolios is E*TRADE's professionally managed advisory solution that builds, monitors and manages a portfolio.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates | Vanguard Digital Advisor is Vanguard's all-digital robo-advisor. Enrolling requires at least $100 in each Vanguard Brokerage Account.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor |
| Protection | Not verified yet. | Vanguard 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.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: investor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts |
| Platforms | Not verified yet. | Not verified yet. |
| App store ratingDiffers | E*TRADE has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 380,760 ratings.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: App Store listing | Vanguard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 177,560 ratings.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: App Store listing |
App store ratings are a dated snapshot from each store listing, not our score. “Not verified yet” means we don't have a current official source for that line. 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 to this table and compare up to four side by side.
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 E*TRADE 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 E*TRADE charge?
E*TRADE's Core Portfolios list a flat annual advisory fee of 0.30% for an account market value of $500+. We checked this on Oct 24, 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 Oct 24, 2026.
What is E*TRADE's app store rating?
E*TRADE has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 380,760 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Oct 24, 2026, not our score.
What is Vanguard's app store rating?
Vanguard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 177,560 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Oct 24, 2026, not our score.
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Keep comparing
- See E*TRADE 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
- Not verified yet
- 4 of 20 facts
E*TRADE7 of 10 verified, 3 not verified yet, last checked Oct 24, 2026
- Management or subscription feeus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account minimumus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account typesus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/our-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Fractional sharesNot verified yet
- Automatic investingus.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/pricing-and-rates, as of Oct 24, 2026
- ProtectionNot verified yet
- PlatformsNot verified yet
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 24, 2026
Vanguard9 of 10 verified, 1 not verified yet, last checked Oct 24, 2026
- Management or subscription feeinvestor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account minimuminvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsinvestor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/investment-fees, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account typesinvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Fractional sharesinvestor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/article/what-is-dollar-based-investing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Automatic investinginvestor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)investor.vanguard.com/advice/robo-advisor, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Protectioninvestor.vanguard.com/accounts-plans/brokerage-accounts, as of Oct 24, 2026
- PlatformsNot verified yet
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 24, 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 its app's window (8 days for apps whose rates change often, 35 days for the rest), it reads “Not verified yet” until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
