What it does
Vanguard offers brokerage and retirement accounts, funds and investment advice in the US. Investors can select their own investments or use a digital or adviser-led service. Online stock and ETF commissions are zero, while fund expenses, account charges and advice fees have separate rules.
Separate the account from the advice
A brokerage or retirement account holds investments. Digital Advisor and the Personal Advisor services add investment management, with different entry requirements and fees. Choosing advice is therefore a separate decision from selecting a fund.
Costs beyond a trade commission
Online stock and ETF trades have US$0 commissions. For customers with under US$1 million of qualifying assets, options cost US$1 per contract and broker-assisted stock trades cost US$25. Other products have their own schedules.
Vanguard may charge US$25 annually for account service, but electronic delivery of the specified account documents qualifies for a waiver. Fund expense ratios remain payable even when trading or account fees are waived.
Opening the US account
The standard route requires US citizenship or legal permanent residence and a US mailing address. Have bank details, a Social Security number and employer information ready. Choose the account type first. Once opened and funded, My Accounts > Buy & Sell is the published route to investment purchases and recurring-investment settings.
Strengths
- Self-directed investing and advice services have distinct routes
- Electronic document delivery can waive the annual account-service fee
Watch out for
- Fund expenses remain separate from commission and advice fees
- The standard US application has citizenship or permanent-residence requirements
Best for
- US investors comparing fund and retirement-account arrangements
- People deciding between selecting funds and using an advice service
Sources
- Vanguard investment and retirement services (Oct 27, 2026)
- Vanguard brokerage commissions and account fees (Oct 27, 2026)
- Vanguard US account requirements and navigation (Oct 27, 2026)
- Vanguard digital and adviser-led service choices (Oct 27, 2026)