Vanguard Roth IRA review

Vanguard takes third place for savers who plan to hold index funds for decades. There is no charge to open a Vanguard IRA, Vanguard ETFs can be bought for as little as $1, and its fee schedule lists $0 online ETF and stock trades for clients with under $1 million at Vanguard. The catch is the mutual fund minimums: Vanguard says its mutual funds need $3,000 to $50,000 to start, so small savers who want the traditional mutual fund share classes will need to save up first or use the ETF versions. Options cost $0 plus $1 per contract, higher than Schwab and E*TRADE at $0.65, and a $25 broker-assisted commission can apply to phone trades. Experience scores lower than Fidelity and Schwab because the cheapest paths assume you are comfortable choosing funds yourself.

Who it is for

index fund investors who want Vanguard funds

Price

No charge to open; $0 online ETF and stock trades; mutual fund minimums $3,000 to $50,000.

There's no charge to open a Vanguard IRA.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• No charge to open a Vanguard IRA
• Vanguard ETFs can be bought for as little as $1
• Online ETF and stock trades cost $0 below $1 million in assets
• Options cost $1 per contract below $1 million in assets
• Advice options for savers who want help

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Direct access to Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs
• Strength: ETFs from $1
• Strength: $0 online ETF and stock trades
• Weakness: Vanguard mutual fund minimums range from $3,000 to $50,000
• Weakness: Broker-assisted trades can cost $25
• Weakness: Options at $1 per contract are pricier than Schwab or E*TRADE

Key facts

• Opening cost: $0
• ETF minimum: $1
• Mutual fund minimum: $3,000 to $50,000
• Online stock and ETF trades: $0

Where it ranks

Vanguard Roth IRA is No. 4 in our Best Roth Ira Providers verdict.