Ally Invest IRA vs Vanguard IRA

Ally: best if you want

An Ally Invest IRA account offers users the opportunity to invest in a broad range of assets at low fees—and to choose between automated and active investing. (Although the Ally Invest robo-advisor is well regarded, this Ally Invest review will focus primarily on its self-directed trading account options, and specifically on its retirement account choices.)

Ally Invest is a particularly good option for those who already have an Ally Bank account since it allows them to manage both everyday spending and investing for the future in one easy-to-use platform. While its trading platform could benefit from more integrated third-party research choices and educational tools, it stands out among online brokers for its low fees and $0 minimum deposit. The Ally mobile app is also available for both Android and Apple to allow investors to manage their accounts and choose different investment options no matter where they are.

Vanguard: best if you want

Vanguard’s platform is built on trading low-cost mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs. As an investor, you’ll get access to Vanguard’s research, easy-to-read fund performance analyses, and helpful retirement planning tools. These perks, as well as Vanguard’s low-cost philosophy, make them a good choice for buy-and-hold investors planning for long-term goals like retirement. Vanguard’s low fees and earnest investment philosophy continue to attract new customers, the company’s assets under management (AUM) recently hit $6.2 trillion.

Ally: other features

One of the reasons Ally is such an attractive option for those looking for a home for their retirement accounts is its suite of other features, including bank account products (both checking and savings) as well as credit cards, as well as mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and more. Opening an Ally Invest account will allow existing customers to have a one-stop shop for most of their financial needs, all in one place

Vanguard: other features

Vanguard offers a wide selection of investment account types, including standard brokerage accounts and goal-oriented investments like education savings plans. If you’re saving for several different goals in addition to retirement, Vanguard’s platform will allow you to manage it all from one online dashboard.

Vanguard offers customers the ability to work directly with a financial advisor, though you’ll need at least $50,000 to invest. Until then, you can take advantage of their free research and planning tools to help you invest wisely.

Conclusion

Ally Invest is a great place to open a new retirement account—or roll over an old retirement account like a 401(k). You’ll have access to a wide range of investment options with low fees, all in an easy-to-use web platform that’s well integrated with other financial services.

Not sure how to get started on the 401(k) rollover process? Capitalize is here to help. We’ll walk you through every step of the way so you can make the most of your hard-earned retirement money.

If you’re a buy-and-hold investor looking for low fees, Vanguard may be the place for you. However, if you’re looking for access to a wide variety of investment choices and a high-tech platform, you’ll likely get frustrated by Vanguard’s narrow investment selection and simplistic trading platform.