Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs Vanguard UK Investor, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Bestinvest offers better pricing than Vanguard UK Investor for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost £500 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing online brokers in the UK, Bestinvest and Vanguard UK Investor present different offerings for investors. Bestinvest stands out with its ability to facilitate share trading, ETF and funds trading, as well as investment trusts, while also providing advisor services. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor focuses on ETF and funds trading, but doesn't offer share trading, investment trusts, or advisor services.
In ratings by UK.StockBrokers.com, Bestinvest receives a commendable 4.5 stars out of 5 for investment choices, positioned at #10 out of 21 brokers for this category. Vanguard UK Investor, meanwhile, garners a rating of 3.5 stars, ranking #18, indicating a more limited selection in comparison. Both brokers exclude crypto, CFDs, spread betting, and bonds, making them align in those specific areas.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the online trading tools of Bestinvest and Vanguard UK Investor, there are notable differences in features and capabilities. Bestinvest stands out with nine drawing tools and 36 technical indicators for charting, allowing a more detailed analysis. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor offers no drawing tools or technical indicators, making it less equipped for those seeking in-depth chart analysis. Bestinvest also allows users to add notes and stock overlays to their charts and offers a browser-based trading platform with the ability to create alerts for stock price updates. Vanguard UK Investor, while also featuring a browser-based platform, lacks these advanced functionalities and does not support alerts for stock price updates.
Both platforms share some commonalities, such as the inability to display corporate events on charts and the lack of real-time market data. Neither platform supports index overlays, which some investors may find limiting. However, if you're an investor who values a comprehensive set of tools for detailed chart analysis and the flexibility to create alerts, Bestinvest might be the more suitable option. Vanguard UK Investor, on the other hand, may appeal to those with simpler trading needs, given its more basic toolset.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing retirement-focused online brokers in the UK, Bestinvest and Vanguard UK Investor both present attractive options for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Bestinvest offers a comprehensive suite of services, enabling investors to make informed choices with their ISAs and SIPPs. Similarly, Vanguard UK Investor provides appealing ISA and SIPP options, emphasizing user-friendly investment solutions. Both platforms cater to individuals seeking efficient and convenient ways to manage their retirement savings online. Whether you are considering Bestinvest or Vanguard UK Investor, you’ll find essential tools for growing your financial future through these popular account types.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Bestinvest and Vanguard UK Investor, both brokers cater to iPhone and Android users in the UK. Each app garners a respectable 3.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, reflecting a balanced performance in user satisfaction. However, in the arena of mobile app rankings, Bestinvest takes a slightly higher position at 16th place out of 21 brokers, compared to Vanguard UK Investor's 19th place. This nuanced difference in ranking suggests that while the mobile experiences are on par in quality, Bestinvest holds a narrow edge in overall user preference.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors seeking educational resources, Bestinvest stands out with a variety of options that cater to novices looking to expand their financial knowledge. Notably, Bestinvest offers live educational webinars and archives them for on-demand viewing, covering relevant topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement planning. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor does not provide live webinars, but does archive sessions for later viewing, though it lacks specific content on share trading. Both platforms offer guidance on funds and retirement, but Bestinvest excels with a top rating of 5 stars for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking 6th out of 21 brokers. Meanwhile, Vanguard UK Investor trails behind with a 3.5-star rating, taking the 17th spot. For those starting their investment journey, Bestinvest provides a more comprehensive educational experience than Vanguard UK Investor.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When evaluating the market research features of Bestinvest and Vanguard UK Investor, both provide research reports for funds and let users view portfolio allocation by asset class, making them suitable for UK investors interested in in-depth fund analysis. However, Bestinvest distinguishes itself by offering research on shares in addition to ETFs and funds, while Vanguard UK Investor only covers ETFs and funds. Neither platform offers research on CFDs or bonds, which may limit investors looking for insights into these instruments. Overall, Bestinvest's broader research offerings, particularly in share analysis, could appeal to those seeking a wider range of investment insights.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or Vanguard UK Investor? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Bestinvest to be a better trading platform overall.
Bestinvest is a very good broker that should appeal to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and the investment options are extensive. The Bestinvest platform is relatively easy to use and the offer of a free 45 minute session with a financial coach can be a useful starting point for newer investors. Bestinvest is also a great option for a Junior SIPP, as it is one of very few UK brokers offering children’s pensions and with a low entry point.
| Feature |
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Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
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Both Bestinvest and Vanguard UK Investor do not offer crypto trading options for investors.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | No | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £500 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | N/A | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | N/A | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | N/A | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | N/A | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | N/A | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | £108 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15% | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £375 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | 0.02% to 0.14% | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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