Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
SoFi vs Vanguard
SoFi
Higher score in this comparison
Vanguard
Where SoFi and Vanguard differ
| Compare | SoFiReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | VanguardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $0Lower | $20 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | SIPC, FDIC | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $1 |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Account types (IRA, Roth IRA, Joint).
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Key differences
- SoFi scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Account fee is lower at SoFi: $0 vs $20.
- Markets: only SoFi offers Crypto.
- Markets: only Vanguard offers Bonds, Funds.
Our verdict on each
SoFi
SoFi suits retirement savers in the US, with a stock trade fee of $0, an account fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0. The named licences are US registrations, so readers outside the US should check the account types and terms first.
Vanguard
Vanguard suits beginner US investors who want straightforward retirement investing without a trading bill, with stock trades at $0 and a minimum deposit of $0. The catch is an account fee of $20, plus $1 for every options contract traded.
Score breakdown
| Area | SoFi | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherRanks 1 of 161 on stock trade fee, 1 of 138 on account fee, 1 of 56 on inactivity fee. | 8.9Stock trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, but the account itself carries an account fee of $20. |
| Offer | 9.4 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.2 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | SoFi | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 83 of 474 | 131 of 474 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 23 of 91 | 31 of 91 |
| Options trading platforms | 25 of 103 | 46 of 103 |
| Brokers for beginners | 28 of 90 | 36 of 90 |
| Robo-advisors | 22 of 151 | 46 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 14 of 44 | 19 of 44 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | SoFi | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | SOFI SECURITIES LLC | The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2011 | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | SoFi | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | SoFi | Vanguard | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $20above the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $1highest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 137 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
SoFi
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 on a commission free model, so cost does not decide which shares you can hold.
- The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so extra accounts and balances left untouched are not billed.
- The minimum deposit is $0 where Vantage asks $5, so a small amount can start an account.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, roth ira and joint, retirement and joint accounts, and a general taxable account is not among them.
- Markets stop at stocks, etfs and options, while eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, so forex, CFDs and futures are out of reach here.
- The group sits in US and its registrations are SIPC member 68389 and FDIC cert 26881, with no UK or EU regulator named.
Vanguard
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens at $0, so entry costs nothing
- stocks, etfs and options covers the range most long term investors need in one place
- Account types include ira, roth ira and joint, which suits retirement saving
Cons
- An account fee of $20 applies to the account whatever the trade volume
- Options cost $1 per contract against $0 for stock trades
- Forex, crypto and CFDs are not among its stocks, etfs and options
Who each suits
SoFi
Who it suits
- Beginners, which the audience fact lists as beginners, who want to start small with a $0 minimum deposit.
- Retirement savers who want an IRA, a Roth IRA or a joint account at $0 in account fees.
- Fractional share buyers who want crypto and equities in the same app, as the feature list crypto, fractional shares and mobile app shows.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders after forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and SoFi lists stocks, etfs and options.
- Investors who want a broader spread of instruments than shares, ETFs, options and crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who need a UK or EU regulated provider, because the licences named are SIPC member 68389 and FDIC cert 26881.
Vanguard
Who it suits
- Beginners building a retirement pot in the US
- Investors holding funds and ETFs alongside individual stocks
- Anyone who accepts an account fee to keep trading costs low
Who should look elsewhere
- Day traders who want no account fee, since eToro charges $0
- Traders wanting forex, crypto or CFDs alongside shares, which CFI lists in stocks, etfs and forex
- Anyone put off by an opening balance, since Vantage requires $5 where Vanguard asks $0
Country by country
| Country | SoFi | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
SoFi
What does it cost to open and hold a SoFi account?+
The published minimum deposit is $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so opening and holding an account adds no charge on the listed terms. Those are account level figures, which is the first thing to check before you choose a wrapper or leave a balance untouched.
What does a stock trade cost?+
A stock trade costs $0 and the pricing model is commission free, so commission does not decide which shares you can hold. Other brands on the site charge a stock trade fee as high as €17.54, and the account fee of $0 and inactivity fee of $0 add nothing on top.
Vanguard
What does it cost to buy shares at Vanguard?+
Buying shares costs $0, and the account opens at a minimum deposit of $0. The running cost is an account fee of $20 rather than a charge on each trade, so frequent trading does not add commission.
Is there an account fee?+
There is. The account fee is $20, and it is the main ongoing cost here. Investors who expect to hold rather than trade repeatedly can absorb it, while active traders would feel it more on smaller balances.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Related by the facts
SoFi
Vanguard