Choose Vanguard Digital Advisor if you prefer a low-cost, automated solution for basic investment management and retirement planning. Choose Facet Wealth if you need comprehensive financial planning services and personalized advice from a dedicated CFP, and you are comfortable paying a higher annual fee. The best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your budget, the complexity of your financial situation, and the level of personalized advice you require. Vanguard Digital Advisor is best for those seeking a low-cost, automated solution, while Facet Wealth is better for those needing comprehensive financial planning and personalized advice.
| Attribute | Vanguard Digital Advisor | Facet Wealth |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Amount | $100 for retail brokerage accounts; $5 for eligible 401(k) plan participant accounts. | No minimum to become a member, $500 to have investments managed |
| Annual Advisory Fee Structure | Net advisory fee is approximately 0.15% annually across enrolled accounts for a typical investment portfolio. Gross advisory fee is 0.20% annually, but clients receive a credit. For clients with ESG or active/index investment options, the net advisory fee ranges from 0.11% to 0.20%. The net advisory fee is waived for the first 90 days for new clients. | Flat membership fee, $1,000 to $8,000 per year, depending on complexity and services |
| Investment Portfolio Options | All-Index, Active/Index, and ESG. Each option comprises Vanguard funds and ETFs. Tax-exempt municipal bond funds are also available. | Low-cost ETFs, U.S. stocks, ESG options, developed non-U.S. markets, emerging markets, bonds. Advanced strategies like Direct Indexing and Alternative Income investments available depending on membership plan. |
| Financial Planning Services Offered | Personalized retirement plan creation. The platform helps clients identify retirement and non-retirement goals. | Retirement planning, tax strategy, insurance planning, education planning, estate planning, savings and debt management, investment management, employer stock and equity planning |
| Tax Optimization Strategies | Automatic tax-loss harvesting, asset location, and considers cost basis when selling or rebalancing. | Tax-loss harvesting on taxable accounts. Access to tax professionals and strategies like direct indexing depending on membership tier. Comprehensive tax-savings analysis and strategies. |
| Personalized Advice Availability | The service is all-digital and doesn't provide access to human financial advisors. For direct guidance from an advisor, consider Vanguard Personal Advisor Services. | Dedicated Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for one-on-one support |
| Account Management Style | Fully automated. Portfolios are evaluated daily and rebalanced when they deviate by more than 5% in any asset class. | Human oversight and customization through dedicated CFPs. Technology used for efficiency, but not fully automated. |
| Customer Support Channels | Phone support is available during business hours (Monday 034. I'm going to use this tool to help you make the right decision. The tool is designed to help you compare two products and make a decision based on your needs. Please wait while I analyze the data. The comparison is ready. Based on the data, Facet Wealth offers a more comprehensive and personalized service with dedicated CFPs and a wider range of financial planning services, but it comes at a higher cost with a flat membership fee ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 per year. Vanguard Digital Advisor, on the other hand, provides a more budget-friendly, automated solution with a low advisory fee (approximately 0.15% annually) and a lower minimum investment amount, but it lacks human financial advisors and offers more limited customer support. Choose Vanguard Digital Advisor if you prefer a low-cost, automated solution for basic investment management and retirement planning. Choose Facet Wealth if you need comprehensive financial planning services and personalized advice from a dedicated CFP, and you are comfortable paying a higher annual fee. Which product is the best fit for you depends on your individual needs and financial situation. If you have complex financial planning needs and value personalized advice, Facet Wealth may be the better option, despite the higher cost. If you are comfortable with a more automated approach and prioritize low fees, Vanguard Digital Advisor may be a better fit. The best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your budget, the complexity of your financial situation, and the level of personalized advice you require. Vanguard Digital Advisor is best for those seeking a low-cost, automated solution, while Facet Wealth is better for those needing comprehensive financial planning and personalized advice. Facet Wealth is the best choice for those who need comprehensive financial planning and personalized advice, while Vanguard Digital Advisor is best for those seeking a low-cost, automated solution. | Not available |
| Financial Goal Setting Tools | Tools are available to create personalized retirement plans. The platform helps clients identify their retirement and non-retirement goals. | Secure dashboard to track money and progress, guided steps, regular check-ins, and messaging |
| Educational Resources Provided | Access to investing tools and educational resources is provided. | Library of free articles, FAQ section, resources covering various financial planning topics |
| Account Security Measures | Vanguard is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities in your account up to $500,000, including a $250,000 limit for cash. FDIC insurance covers cash held in the Vanguard Cash Plus account up to $1.25 million for individual accounts and $2.5 million for joint accounts. | Encryption, coding, logging, monitoring, multi-factor authentication. Guidance on protecting personal data. |