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Broker Comparison

M1 vs Vanguard

Compare M1 and Vanguard side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

M1

M1

Long-term investors using automated portfolios

M1 combines automated Pies for stocks, ETFs, funds and crypto with scheduled trade windows, cash accounts and…

VS
Vanguard

Vanguard

Long-term fund and ETF investors

Vanguard offers funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, margin, options, Cash Plus and advice services, with $0 online co…

Head-to-head comparison

M1 vs Vanguard
Feature M1 Vanguard
Minimum deposit — $0 to open an account
Stock trading fee Regulatory expenses occur when users sell a stock or ETF $0 online stock trading
Regulators SEC, FINRA FINRA
Best for Long-term investors using automated portfolios Long-term fund and ETF investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
—
Bonds
—
Options
—
Funds
Investment Plans
—
Margin
Fractional Shares
—
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Money Market Funds
—

Pros & cons

M1

M1

Pros

  • No commission, trading or management fees on self-directed brokerage accounts
  • Pies invest new deposits toward target allocations automatically
  • Dynamic rebalancing buys underweight Slices first
  • One-click rebalancing returns a Pie to preset targets
  • Cash accounts show 3.10% APY and FDIC insurance up to $4.75 million
  • Margin loans shown at 5.65% with no minimum payment or late fees
  • Crypto Pies use Bakkt custody and can trade 7 days a week

Cons

  • $3 platform fee applies below $10,000 in M1 assets unless waived
  • Trades execute during scheduled trade windows, not in real time
  • Crypto holdings are not FDIC or SIPC insured
  • Crypto on-demand trading is limited to 10 trades per calendar month
  • Margin loans require at least $2,000 invested in eligible accounts
  • Crypto can't be included in an IRA
  • Outgoing account transfers cost $100
Vanguard

Vanguard

Pros

  • $0 online commissions for stocks, ETFs and Vanguard mutual funds
  • $1 minimum for Vanguard ETFs through fractional shares
  • $0 Cash Plus minimum balance and no service fee with e-delivery
  • Digital Advisor starts at $100 with no advisory fee for 90 days
  • SIPC coverage up to $500,000 for eligible brokerage securities
  • Free dividend reinvestment with no commission

Cons

  • $25 annual account service fee unless e-delivery is selected
  • Most Vanguard mutual funds require a $3,000 minimum
  • Individual bonds require a $1,000 minimum investment
  • Personal Advisor requires a $50,000 minimum
  • Cash Plus has no issued checks or ATM card
  • Cash Plus transactions may face 7-day or 60-day holding periods
M1

M1

M1 combines automated Pies for stocks, ETFs, funds and crypto with scheduled trade windows, cash accounts and margin loans.

Visit M1 Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Vanguard

Vanguard

Vanguard offers funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, margin, options, Cash Plus and advice services, with $0 online commissions on major listed products.

Visit Vanguard Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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