Vanguard Digital Advisor review

Vanguard Digital Advisor is the pick for investors who want index funds at the lowest ongoing percentage fee among the paid services here. It charges a gross advisory fee of 0.20% a year for an index portfolio, or 0.25% for an active one, and that fee is reduced by a credit for revenue Vanguard earns on your funds. Vanguard puts the all-in cost at about $15 to $16 a year for every $10,000 in an all-index portfolio, and it waives the advisory fee for the first 90 days. You need $100 per brokerage account to enroll. Beyond the portfolio, you get a goal optimizer, debt calculator, emergency fund tool and tax-loss harvesting at no extra cost, and eligible 401(k) accounts can be managed too. The setup is stricter than rivals: a taxable account has to sit fully in its settlement fund before enrolling, so you may have to sell existing holdings and owe tax. For new money, it is excellent value.

Who it is for

Index fund fans who want very low fees and planning tools for several goals.

Price

0.20% gross per year for index portfolios, 0.25% for active; first 90 days fee-free; $100 minimum.

Digital Advisor charges brokerage accounts an annual gross advisory fee in the amount of 0.20% for an index portfolio options or 0.25% for an active portfolio option.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• All-index or active portfolios, built and rebalanced automatically
• Advisory fee waived for the first 90 days
• Tax-loss harvesting at no additional cost
• Debt calculator, goal optimizer and emergency fund tool
• Can manage eligible 401(k) accounts from a $5 balance

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: About $15 to $16 a year per $10,000 in an all-index portfolio
• Strength: Only $100 needed per brokerage account
• Strength: Planning tools for retirement and other goals
• Weakness: Taxable accounts must be fully in cash to enroll, which can mean selling holdings
• Weakness: Eligibility screening limits which IRA holdings it can take over
• Weakness: No human advisor in this tier

Key facts

• Advisory fee: 0.20% index, 0.25% active (gross)
• Minimum: $100 per brokerage account
• Intro offer: No advisory fee for 90 days
• Cost per $10,000: About $15 to $16 a year, all-index
• Tax-loss harvesting: Included

Where it ranks

Vanguard Digital Advisor is No. 4 in our Best Robo Advisors verdict.