Investing comparison
Fidelity vs Vanguard
Updated
Data as of
Fidelity checked Vanguard checked
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Fidelity
Investing app
Visit site for Fidelity Investments (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 Fidelity if you want a managed portfolio with no minimum (Vanguard lists $100) or the higher App Store rating (4.8, compared with 4.6).
- The biggest difference is the managed portfolio minimum: Fidelity 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.
Fidelity vs Vanguard at a glance
- Fidelity
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 3,378,991 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
- Vanguard
- Rating
- 4.6 of 5App Store, 177,567 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
What it costs
- Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Go, Fidelity's robo advisor, lists a gross advisory fee of $0 for balances under $25,000 and 0.35% a year for $25,000 and above.
Source
fidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, 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.
Fidelity Investments and Vanguard, side by side
| Detail | Fidelity | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Account minimumDiffers | FidelityFidelity lists no account fees and no minimums to open a retail brokerage account, including IRAs. Fidelity Go, its robo advisor, lists no account minimum. Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, 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 | FidelityFidelity lists $0 commission for online US stock, ETF and option trades. Online option trades have a $0.65 per contract fee. Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, 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 | FidelityFidelity lists these account types: Brokerage account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Health savings account (HSA), 529 college savings plan, Cash management account and Crypto account. Sourcefidelity.com/open-account/overview, 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 | FidelityFidelity says you can own fractions of US stocks and ETFs, starting at $1. Sourcefidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, 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 | FidelityFidelity says you can use recurring investments to automatically add fractional shares. Sourcefidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, 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 | FidelityFidelity Go is Fidelity's robo advisor, with digital managed accounts and no minimum to open (the balance must be at least $10 to be invested). Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, 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 | FidelityFidelity is a member of SIPC, which protects securities customers up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash). Fidelity adds excess of SIPC coverage with a $1 billion aggregate limit, no per-customer limit on securities and a $1.9 million per-customer limit on cash awaiting investment. Sourcefidelity.com/why-fidelity/safeguarding-your-accounts, 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 . |
| Platforms | FidelityFidelity Investments lists iOS and Android. Sourcefidelity.com/mobile/overview, checked . | VanguardVanguard lists iOS and Android. Sourceinvestor.vanguard.com/client-benefits/mobile-apps, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | FidelityFidelity Investments has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 3,378,991 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
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "All-in-one app" showing the home screen with market indexes and $44,750.00 in Fidelity accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Home tab: DJIA, NASDAQ and S&P 500 cards, Fidelity accounts at $44,750.00 up $275.00 (+0.31%) today, a one-month line chart and the tab bar with Home, Investing, Transact, Planning and Discover.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageFidelity accounts $44,750.00, up $275.00 (+0.31%) today, with 1M, YTD, 1Y and 3Y tabs and a one-month line chart from Aug 1 to Aug 31.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe tab bar: Home, Investing, a green Transact button, Planning and Discover.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
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Help maximize your money" showing an Account screen with balances, activity and performance.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Account screen: Balances with $500.00 available to trade and $350.00 available to withdraw, an Activity card for a filled buy of 10 shares and Performance returns against market indexes.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageBalances: Available to trade $500.00, Settled cash $350.00 and Available to withdraw $350.00.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
Goals
Fidelity Investments
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
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imagePerformance with 1D to All tabs: a 1-year cumulative pre-tax return of +4.44% next to the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index at -4.64% and the S&P 500 Index at +4.44%.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
No official screen found yet
Investments
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Set your investing on repeat" showing a recurring investment confirmation.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Confirm screen with a check mark: Recurring investment scheduled for NXTR, $500.00 every 2 weeks on Tuesday, with Manage and Done buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTrader+ Mobile mode Portfolio on Positions for All accounts: a table of symbols with last price, change, today's gain or loss and bid, colored green and red.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Fidelity Crypto quote for BTC/USD at $117,130.91: a one-day chart, a Detailed quote with last, bid, ask and volume, and a Trade button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Buy EJS market order for 1 share: estimated cost $14.00, $123.00 available to trade, a number pad and a Review button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Markets row with DJIA +74.12 (+0.37%), NASDAQ -10.22 (-0.06%) and S&P 500 -8.67 (-0.19%) cards.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
Fidelity Investments
No official screen found yet
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
Fidelity Investments
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
AI assistant
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageFidelity Assistant answering "How can I contact Fidelity?" with around-the-clock support and buttons to chat live online, see live chat hours or connect by phone, above a Type or ask us something field.App Store listing, as of
Vanguard
No official screen found yet
Other screens
Fidelity Investments
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Connect with a dedicated advisor" showing a Your team screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Your team screen: a lead advisor, a partner and Investment Mgmt Consultants, a 24-hour service team note and an Investment strategy card with a View our recommendations button.App Store listing, as of
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?
Fidelity: Yes. You can export your data.
Source
In their words: “Yes, you can download displayed information and save it as a Microsoft ® Excel ® Comma Separated Values (.CSV) file.” fidelity.com/webcontent/ap002390-mlo-content/19.09/help/learn_open_positions.shtml, 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?
Fidelity: Yes. Phone (24/7), chat (Fidelity Assistant 24/7, live chat with an associate) and Investor Centers.
Source
In their words: “For any customer service questions, call us 24/7 at: 800-343-3548” fidelity.com/customer-service/contact-us, 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?
Fidelity: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “The only brokerage account teens ages 13–17 can own independently” fidelity.com/go/youth-account/overview, 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?
Fidelity: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “It's easier than ever to view your tax forms and upload them directly to your preferred tax preparation service.” fidelity.com/tax-information/overview, 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?
Fidelity: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “It's easier than ever to view your tax forms and upload them directly to your preferred tax preparation service.” fidelity.com/tax-information/overview, 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?
Fidelity: Yes. You can export your data and send the file.
Source
In their words: “Yes, you can download displayed information and save it as a Microsoft ® Excel ® Comma Separated Values (.CSV) file.” fidelity.com/webcontent/ap002390-mlo-content/19.09/help/learn_open_positions.shtml, 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 Fidelity 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 Fidelity charge?
Fidelity Go, Fidelity's robo advisor, lists a gross advisory fee of $0 for balances under $25,000 and 0.35% a year for $25,000 and above. 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 Fidelity's app store rating?
Fidelity Investments has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 3,378,991 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 Fidelity 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
Fidelity Investments10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feefidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumfidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsfidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesfidelity.com/open-account/overview, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesfidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingfidelity.com/trading/fractional-shares, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)fidelity.com/why-fidelity/pricing-fees, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionfidelity.com/why-fidelity/safeguarding-your-accounts, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsfidelity.com/mobile/overview, 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.
