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Provider review

Vanguard Investor

Last verified: Q1 2026 · Source: provider fee page
Fee model
0.15% capped at £375/year
Percentage, capped · SIPP available · Retail only
Annual platform fee by pot size
£25,000 pot
£38/yr
0.15% effective
£50,000 pot
£75/yr
0.15% effective
£100,000 pot
£150/yr
0.15% effective
£250,000 pot
£375/yr
0.15% effective
£500,000 pot
£375/yr
0.07% effective
£1,000,000 pot
£375/yr
0.04% effective
Platform fee only. Fund charges (OCF) are additional: 0.06%–0.23% (Vanguard's own index funds only)

Vanguard is the default recommendation in UK personal finance communities for good reason: the 0.15% platform fee is the lowest percentage-based charge of any major provider, and it's capped at £375/year — meaning pots above £250,000 pay no more than someone with £250k. Combined with Vanguard's own funds (which have OCFs as low as 0.06%), the total cost of investing is among the lowest available anywhere. The limitation is investment choice: you can only hold Vanguard's own funds, not third-party funds or individual shares. For the majority of UK pension savers who are happy with a global index tracker, this is irrelevant. For those who want to pick individual stocks or use specialist funds, Vanguard isn't the right platform.

Strengths
  • +Lowest percentage-based platform fee in the UK
  • +Fee capped at £375/year for large pots
  • +Ultra-low fund OCFs (0.06%+)
  • +Simple, no-nonsense platform
Limitations
  • –Only Vanguard funds — no third-party funds or shares
  • –Limited fund range (~80 funds)
  • –No stocks and shares dealing
  • –Basic research tools
Details
Fund range~80 Vanguard funds and ETFs — no third-party funds, no individual shares
Minimum investment£500 lump sum or £100/month
Typical fund OCF0.06%–0.23% (Vanguard's own index funds only)
SIPPYes
Compare Vanguard with
vs HLvs AJ Bellvs iivs PensionBeevs InvestEnginevs Fidelityvs NESTvs Avivavs Nutmeg
All providers
HLVanguardiiAJ BellPensionBeeFidelityAvivaNESTInvestEngineNutmeg
Things to consider
  • •Fees shown are platform fees only — you also pay fund-level charges (OCF) on top, which vary by fund choice.
  • •Fee structures change without notice. Always verify the current fee on the provider's website before making any decision.
  • •The cheapest provider is not necessarily the best fit — consider fund range, customer service, platform features, and the specific funds you want to hold.
  • •Transferring a pension may involve exit fees, loss of guaranteed benefits, or loss of employer contributions. Check before you transfer.
  • •This page is factual information based on published fee schedules, not a recommendation to use or avoid any provider.
  • •If you're unsure which provider is right for you, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser.

This calculator provides estimates based on 2025/26 tax rates and is not financial advice. Scottish taxpayers are subject to different income tax rates and bands. The calculations assume your salary is your only source of income and do not account for benefits in kind or other taxable income.

For personalised guidance on your pension contributions, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser. You can find one via Unbiased or VouchedFor.