Comparison
Betterment vs Vanguard
Polished planning tools against Vanguard's rock-bottom 0.20% fee. The 0.05% gap matters more than it looks.
Side-by-side
Betterment
- Annual fee
- 0.25%
- Minimum investment
- $0
- Best for
- Goal-based planning with no account minimum
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Vanguard Digital Advisor
- Annual fee
- 0.20%
- Minimum investment
- $100
- Best for
- Cost-conscious long-term index investors
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| Feature | Betterment | Vanguard Digital Advisor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | 0.25% | 0.20% |
| Minimum investment | $0 | $100 |
| Best for | Goal-based planning with no account minimum | Cost-conscious long-term index investors |
| Sign up | Sign upcoming soon | Sign upcoming soon |
Our verdict
Choose Vanguard if minimizing fees is your top priority. At 0.20% it undercuts nearly every competitor, and over decades that 0.05% annual gap versus Betterment compounds into real money.
Choose Betterment if you want the better product experience — goal-based planning, slick projections, tax-loss harvesting, and no minimum to start. For many beginners, the superior tooling is worth 0.05% a year.
This is an editorial comparison for education, not personalized financial advice. Always confirm current fees on the advisor's site before opening an account.