Discount brokerage offering commission-free trading, extensive research tools, and diverse account types for all investor types.
Active traders, investors seeking comprehensive research tools, those requiring specialized account types, and DIY investors who value educational resources
Client-owned investment company specializing in low-cost index funds and long-term wealth building.
Long-term passive investors, those with large portfolios seeking lowest costs, retirement savers prioritizing personalized guidance, and investors valuing company alignment with client success
Both are industry leaders, but Schwab excels for active traders and comprehensive brokerage services with lower minimum requirements, while Vanguard is superior for long-term passive investors seeking ultra-low fees and investor-owned structure. Choose based on your trading frequency and investment philosophy.
Both Schwab and Vanguard are exceptional brokerages suitable for different investor profiles. Choose Schwab if you prioritize active trading, diverse account types, robust research tools, and prefer a discount brokerage model with extensive educational resources. Choose Vanguard if you're a passive long-term investor seeking the lowest possible fees, value the investor-owned structure that aligns incentives with clients, and want personalized retirement planning guidance.
Choose Schwab if
Active traders, investors seeking comprehensive research tools, those requiring specialized account types, and DIY investors who value educational resources
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| Metric | Schwab | Vanguard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account Types Offered(count) | 40+ | 30+ | +33% |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 | +2% |
| New Accounts Opened (Feb 2026)(thousands) | 395,000 new accounts | 17 new funds launched |
Vanguard vs Fidelity
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Choose Vanguard if
Long-term passive investors, those with large portfolios seeking lowest costs, retirement savers prioritizing personalized guidance, and investors valuing company alignment with client success
| — |
| Stock Trading Commission(USD per trade) | Free | Free | — |
| ETF Expense Ratio (Average)(%) | 0.08% | 0.05% | +60% |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | $0 | — |
| Mutual Funds Available(count) | 8,500+ | 9,200+ | -8% |
| Customer Service Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 | -2% |
| Assets Under Management(USD) | $8 Trillion+ | $8 Trillion+ | — |
| Minimum Initial Investment(USD) | $0 | $0 | — |
| Average Mutual Fund Expense Ratio(%) | 0.08% | 0.08% | — |
| Stock Trading Commission(USD) | $0 | $0 | — |
| Assets Under Management(Trillion USD) | $8.4T | $8.4T | — |
| Number of ETFs Available(count) | 420+ | 420+ | — |
| IRA Contribution Limit (2026)(USD) | $7,000 | $7,000 | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Schwab
Publicly traded subsidiary of Charles Schwab Corporation
Vanguard
Investor-owned mutual holding company🏆
Schwab
$0 (no minimum)
Vanguard
$0 (no minimum)
Schwab
0.08%
Vanguard
0.05%🏆
Schwab
Free stocks, ETFs, options
Vanguard
Free stocks, ETFs, options
Schwab
Extensive with StreetSmart Edge platform🏆
Vanguard
Comprehensive with personalized guidance
Schwab
40+ account types including retirement, taxable, 529🏆
Vanguard
30+ account types with strong retirement focus
Schwab
4.7/5 stars (24/7 support)
Vanguard
4.8/5 stars (premium phone support)🏆
Schwab
$32.5 billion core net new assets🏆
Vanguard
17 new investment funds launched
Vanguard has lower expense ratios on average (0.05% vs 0.08%), but both offer commission-free trading. The difference matters most for large, long-term portfolios invested in index funds. For active traders, fees are comparable.
Dive deeper with these curated resources
| Attribute | Schwab | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types Offered(count) | 40+ | 30+ |
| Mutual Funds Available(count) | 8,500+ | 9,200+ |
| Number of ETFs Available(count) | 420+ | — |
| Research Tools Quality(rating) | Excellent (StreetSmart Edge) | Very Good (Vanguard Advisor) |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Robo-Advisor Available(yes/no) | Yes (Intelligent Portfolios) | Yes (Vanguard Personal Advisor) |
| Investor Alignment Model(structure) | Shareholder-owned (public company) | Client-owned (mutual structure) |
| New Accounts Opened (Feb 2026)(thousands) | 395,000 new accounts | 17 new funds launched |
| Fee-Only Advisory Services(availability) | Schwab Advisors (fees apply) | Vanguard Advisors (premium support) |
| Stock Trading Commission(USD per trade) | Free | Free |
| ETF Expense Ratio (Average)(%) | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum Initial Investment(USD) | $0 | — |
| Customer Service Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Assets Under Management(USD) | $8 Trillion+ | — |
| Average Expense Ratio | ~0.08% | — |
| Average Mutual Fund Expense Ratio(%) | 0.08% | — |
| Stock Trading Commission(USD) | $0 | — |
| Assets Under Management(Trillion USD) | $8.4T | — |
| IRA Contribution Limit (2026)(USD) | $7,000 | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes