Rock-bottom fund costs, but only Vanguard funds
Best for: Hands-off investors happy to hold only Vanguard index funds and LifeStrategy.
Vanguard's fees are one part of the picture. Are your pensions and savings actually on track?
See if you're on trackFree to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.
Vanguard UK is the default answer for one-fund index investing. If your plan is a LifeStrategy or FTSE Global All Cap fund and nothing else, the combination of cheap funds and a capped 0.15% platform fee is excellent, especially above £32,000.
Below £32,000 the £4 monthly minimum changes the maths, and a free platform like Trading 212 or Prosper holding a similar Vanguard ETF can work out cheaper. You also cannot hold individual shares or other fund managers' products.
Best for: Hands-off investors happy to hold only Vanguard index funds and LifeStrategy.
| Platform fee | £4/month minimum below £32k; 0.15% above £32k, capped at £375/year |
|---|---|
| Share dealing | Not available (funds and Vanguard ETFs only) |
| Fund dealing | Free |
| FX fee | None (GBP funds) |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Platform fee applies |
| SIPP | Platform fee applies |
| Withdrawals | Free |
| Minimum to start | £100/month or £500 lump sum |
Verified July 2026 against Vanguard's published charges. Always check the provider's current schedule before opening an account.
Your cash is protected by the FSCS up to £120,000. Your investments are ring-fenced in your name, held separately from the firm's own assets, so they remain yours if the firm fails, with FSCS cover of up to £85,000 for any shortfall. Authorised and regulated by the FCA.
Vanguard scores 4 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Great) from around 5,000 reviews.
Long-term investors praise the low fund costs and the simplicity of LifeStrategy portfolios.
The £4 minimum monthly fee frustrated smaller investors when it landed, and some reviews mention slow customer service.
Vanguard's platform fee is £4/month minimum below £32k; 0.15% above £32k, capped at £375/year. Share dealing is not available (funds and Vanguard ETFs only) and fund dealing is free. Foreign exchange is charged at none (GBP funds). Fees verified July 2026 against Vanguard's published charges.
Vanguard charges not available (funds and Vanguard ETFs only) to buy or sell shares, ETFs and investment trusts. Fund dealing is free. The £4 monthly minimum, introduced in 2025, makes small accounts proportionally expensive. £2,000 invested pays £48/year, which is 2.4%.
On Vanguard's Stocks and Shares ISA: Platform fee applies. The underlying platform fee is £4/month minimum below £32k; 0.15% above £32k, capped at £375/year. You can start with £100/month or £500 lump sum. It is not a flexible ISA, so money you withdraw still counts against your annual allowance.
Vanguard offers a SIPP. On the SIPP: Platform fee applies. Dealing inside the SIPP is charged at the same not available (funds and Vanguard ETFs only) for shares and free for funds. Withdrawals are free.
Your cash is protected by the FSCS up to £120,000. Your investments are ring-fenced in your name, held separately from the firm's own assets, so they remain yours if the firm fails, with FSCS cover of up to £85,000 for any shortfall. Authorised and regulated by the FCA.
Vanguard scores 4 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Great) from around 5,000 reviews. Long-term investors praise the low fund costs and the simplicity of LifeStrategy portfolios. The £4 minimum monthly fee frustrated smaller investors when it landed, and some reviews mention slow customer service. It suits hands-off investors happy to hold only Vanguard index funds and LifeStrategy.
Vanguard can hold your investments, but it will not tell you whether they add up to the retirement you want. Delphina models your whole financial life and gives you a straight answer.
Free to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.
Capital at risk. This page is information, not financial advice.