Investing comparison
Stash 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
Stash and Vanguard are both investing apps. The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually, 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.
Stash vs Vanguard at a glance
Stash 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
The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually. Stash also charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more and on Managed Retirement Accounts. 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
Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees. 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
Vanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative. We haven't verified this for Stash yet, so check the official site for Stash before you decide. We checked Vanguard on Oct 24, 2026.
Account types
Stash lists these account types: Brokerage, Retirement and Custodial accounts for kids. 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
Stash says you can invest in fractional shares with $5 or less, from thousands of stocks and ETFs. Vanguard says dollar-based trading lets you buy a Vanguard ETF for as little as $1, regardless of the ETF's share price. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Automatic investing
Vanguard says its robo-advisor uses an algorithm to automatically build and rebalance a portfolio. We haven't verified this for Stash yet, so check the official site for Stash before you decide. We checked Vanguard on Oct 24, 2026.
Managed portfolios (robo)
Stash says you can let its investing team manage a diversified portfolio for you (a Smart 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
Stash's security page says Apex Clearing Corporation is a member of SIPC, so the investments in your account are protected up to $500,000 total (including $250,000 for claims for cash). 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 checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
App store rating
Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 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
Stash$12a month
The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually.
As of · stash.com/pricing
- 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
- Stash
- 4.7311,480 ratings
- Vanguard
- 4.6177,560 ratings
Source
- Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 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
- Stash
- Not verified yet
- Vanguard
- Not verified yet
Source
- Stash: Not verified yet.
- Vanguard: Not verified yet.
Account minimum
- Stash
- Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees.
- Vanguard
- Vanguard says there's no fee or minimum investment amount to open an account.
Source
- Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees. stash.com/pricing, 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
- Stash
- Not verified yet
- Vanguard
- Vanguard lists $0 for online ETF and stock trades, and a $25 broker-assisted commission per trade placed with a representative.
Source
- Stash: Not verified yet.
- 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
- Stash
- Stash's security page says Apex Clearing Corporation is a member of SIPC, so the investments in your account are protected up to $500,000 total (including $250,000 for claims for cash).
- 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
- Stash's security page says Apex Clearing Corporation is a member of SIPC, so the investments in your account are protected up to $500,000 total (including $250,000 for claims for cash). stash.com/security, as of Oct 24, 2026.
- 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
Stash
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 1 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 2 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 3 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 4 of 4 from the Stash 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
Stash 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 | StashInvesting appStash is a subscription investing app with brokerage, retirement and custodial accounts, fractional shares and managed Smart Portfolios.Visit Stash'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 | The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually. Stash also charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more and on Managed Retirement Accounts.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing | 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 | Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing | 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 commissions | Not verified yet. | 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 | Stash lists these account types: Brokerage, Retirement and Custodial accounts for kids.Also named on another official page: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/retireAs of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing | 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 sharesDiffers | Stash says you can invest in fractional shares with $5 or less, from thousands of stocks and ETFs.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing | 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 investing | Not verified yet. | 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 | Stash says you can let its investing team manage a diversified portfolio for you (a Smart Portfolio).As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing | 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 |
| ProtectionDiffers | Stash's security page says Apex Clearing Corporation is a member of SIPC, so the investments in your account are protected up to $500,000 total (including $250,000 for claims for cash).As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/security | 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 | Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 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.
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. The questions come from app help centers, FAQ pages and user forums, and every answer comes from the app's own pages, with the date we checked it.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is it free?
Vanguard
Not verified yet
“Not verified yet” means we haven't found a current official source that answers it, not that the app can't. 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 Stash 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 Stash charge?
The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually. Stash also charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more and on Managed Retirement Accounts. 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 Stash's app store rating?
Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 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 Stash 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
Stash7 of 10 verified, 3 not verified yet, last checked Oct 24, 2026
- Management or subscription feestash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account minimumstash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsNot verified yet
- Account typesstash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Fractional sharesstash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Automatic investingNot verified yet
- Managed portfolios (robo)stash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Protectionstash.com/security, as of Oct 24, 2026
- 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.
