Vanguard Digital Advisor is a more accessible and affordable option for investors with lower capital and those who prefer a fully digital experience. Personal Capital is better suited for high-net-worth individuals who desire personalized financial advice and a wider array of investment choices.
| Attribute | Vanguard Digital Advisor | Personal Capital Wealth Management |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Requirement | $100 (\$5 for eligible 401(k) accounts) | $100,000 |
| Annual Advisory Fee | Approximately 0.15% of assets managed (gross fee 0.20% with ETF revenue credit) | 0.89% for investments up to $1 million, 0.79% for investments between $1 million and $3 million, 0.69% for investments between $3 million and $5 million, 0.59% for investments between $5 million and $10 million, 0.49% for investments over $10 million |
| Investment Account Options | Individual and joint taxable brokerage accounts, traditional, Roth, rollover, SEP, and inherited IRAs, and 401(k)s for eligible plans | Taxable accounts, joint accounts, Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and trusts |
| Availability of Financial Advisor Access | All-digital service, no access to human financial advisors | Clients investing at least $200,000 have 24/7 access to two advisors via phone, live chat, email, and web conference. Clients with $100,000-$200,000 are assigned a team of advisors. |
| Tax-Loss Harvesting | Automatic tax-loss harvesting | Yes |
| Portfolio Customization Options | All-Index, Active/Index, and ESG portfolios; mix adjusted based on client inputs | Yes, you can work with an advisor to tailor your investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance, and preferences, including socially responsible investing options. |
| Account Security Measures | Encryption, SSL validation, two-factor authentication, account activity alerts, automatic timeouts, suspicious activity alerts, voice verification, security keys | Multi-layered security approach, including encryption, secure servers, and two-factor authentication. Employs 256-bit AES encryption. |
| Mobile App Availability and Features | Sign up via website or mobile app | Yes, Personal Capital has mobile apps for iOS and Android. The mobile version has everything that is available on the desktop platform. Features include: Tracking income, expenses, investments, and net worth; Setting financial goals and receiving personalized advice; Comprehensive view of your financial life; Users can link all of their financial accounts, including investment accounts, and see up-to-date balances and transactions in one place. |
| Customer Support Channels and Responsiveness | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time by phone and email | Access to financial advisors via phone, live chat, email, and web conference. |
| Types of Investments Offered | Vanguard ETFs and funds (All-Index, Active/Index, ESG portfolios), tax-exempt municipal bond funds | Primarily ETFs, but also offers individual stocks and bonds, REITs, gold, commodities, and private equity. |
| Goal Setting and Planning Tools | Personalized retirement planning, goal optimizer, debt payoff calculator, emergency fund tool | The app allows you to set financial goals, such as saving for retirement or paying off debt, and provides personalized advice and recommendations based on these goals. They offer a retirement calculator that can help you see whether you're currently on track to achieve your long-term savings goals. |
| Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Options | ESG portfolio option with low-cost ESG funds | Yes |