Vanguard and Moneybox are two popular investing platforms available to UK retail investors. They’re slightly different in their approach as Moneybox offers a stripped-back investing experience with some share dealing available, and Vanguard is a platform where you get to hand-pick your index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). However, there is some crossover, so we’re going to pit Moneybox vs Vanguard against each other in a head-to-head battle.
Both Vanguard and Moneybox offer a limited range of investments and plenty of account options, including a stocks and shares ISA and a self-invested personal pension (SIPP). So, check out our breakdown of Moneybox vs Vanguard and hopefully this will help you pick who’s best, depending on what’s most important to you – whether that’s fees, investment choice, account types or anything else.
 |  | |
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Customer satisfaction survey | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Fees score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Stocks and shares ISA available? | ||
| FSCS protected? | ||
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
Vanguard and Moneybox are pretty similar when it comes to their Finder score, with Vanguard scoring a solid 4.3 out of 5, and Moneybox scoring a slightly lower 4.1 out of 5.
Both platforms offer stocks and shares ISA, and both come with full Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection of up to £85,000.
However, Vanguard scored better than Moneybox in the most recent Finder Investing Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024 results. 90% of Vanguard customers said they’d recommend the platform to a friend, compared to 79% for Moneybox.
The platforms also go slightly different ways with their fees score. When you look at Moneybox fees vs Vanguard fees – Moneybox has a fee score of 4.3 vs Vanguard’s 4.7 score for fees (both out of 5).
| | |
| General investment account | ||
| Stocks and shares ISA | ||
| Lifetime ISA (LISA) | ||
| Pension (SIPP) | ||
| Junior ISA (JISA)/Junior SIPP (JSIPP) | ||
| Interest on cash balances | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
Both platforms have plenty of account options available, including the option to use a junior stocks and shares ISA (JISA).
However, what sets Moneybox apart is that it also offers both a cash, and an investment lifetime ISA (LISA), something Vanguard doesn’t have. And although Moneybox doesn’t pay cash on investment balances, it does have separate savings products that pay interest like a savings account and cash ISA.
Winner: Moneybox
| | |
| Investment choice score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Available markets | 2+ | 4+ |
| Number of investments | 45+ | 85+ |
| Number of ETFs/funds | 24 | 85 |
| Fractional shares | ||
| Min. initial deposit | £1 | £500 lump sum (or £100/month) |
| Min. investment | £1 | £100 |
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
Moneybox and Vanguard are fairly limiting in the investment options available, but both platforms are designed for simplicity.
Moneybox mostly focuses on cheap, global funds but it does offer some individual shares too (but only a few handfuls, about 20 US stocks). Vanguard is all about funds, that’s its bread and butter. And Vanguard does offer a wider selection of funds (but you can only use Vanguard’s own funds).
The good thing about Moneybox is that you can get started with just £1, so it’s extremely accessible to just about everyone, whereas Vanguard has a slightly higher barrier to entry.
Winner: Tie
| | |
| Portfolios rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Risk assessment quiz | ||
| Number of portfolios on offer | 3 | 21 |
| Ethical portfolios on offer | ||
| Managed portfolios on offer | ||
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
Moneybox and Vanguard are fairly even when it comes to ready-made portfolios, but Vanguard offers many more options.
The 3 starting options for Moneybox are helpful for complete beginners, whereas with Vanguard you’ll need a little bit of investing knowledge to pick your portfolio.
Winner: Vanguard
| | |
| Fees score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Platform fees | 0.45% + £1/month | 0.15% |
| US shares | £0 | £0 |
| UK shares | N/A | £0 |
| International shares | N/A | |
| Funds/ETFs | 0 | £0 |
| Foreign exchange fee | 0.45% | 0% |
| Regular investing | Yes (including round ups) | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | £0 | £0 |
| Deposit fee | £0 | £0 |
| Inactivity fee | £0 | £0 |
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
These are two of the cheapest investing platforms around, but Vanguard takes the crown when you put them side-by-side.
Moneybox charges a 0.45% platform fee, plus a £1 monthly subscription fee if you want one of its investment accounts.
Vanguard on the other hand simply charges a cheap 0.15% platform fee. And these differences are reflected in the Finder fee score for each.
Winner: Vanguard
| | |
| Ease of use score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Apple iOS rating | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Google Play rating | 4.7/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Ways to contact customer service | Email and in-app chat | Secure message, email, phone, chatbot |
| UI/UX | Good | Good |
| Desktop or web access | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
Vanguard edges out Moneybox in the ease of use category because Moneybox is app-only and has limited ways to contact the customer service team.
Moneybox and Vanguard are both excellent platforms to use, but Vanguard offers a desktop or mobile experience and has a customer service team you can actually phone if you need.
Winner: Vanguard
| | |
| Tools, resources and features | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Analysis features | ||
| Tools for investing/trading | ||
| Social features | ||
| Learning resources | ||
| Additional features | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| Go to site More Info | More Info |
Both Moneybox and Vanguard offer a fairly limited selection of tools and resources making them difficult to separate in this area.
Winner: Tie
Moneybox and Vanguard both offer a fantastic (if limited) investing experience. Looking at both platforms side-by-side, its Vanguard that comes out on top due to lower fees, more portfolios and investments, and it’s easy to use for desktop and mobile investors.
Winner: Vanguard
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
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