How to invest in stocks & ETFs online

You need a Vanguard Brokerage Account to trade stocks and ETFs (exchange-traded funds). It's easy to get started, and we can help you along the way.

Find a stock or ETF

Already have a brokerage account?

You can start investing now.

Buy & sell stocks & ETFs

See an example of how to place a trade

Simplify your portfolio management by transferring your investments from other companies to Vanguard.

Consolidate with an account transfer

Need to open a brokerage account?

Step 1

Choose an account type based on your investing goal

A general account for you or owned jointly with someone else.
A Roth or traditional IRA.
A custodial account for a child.
A SEP-IRA if you're self-employed or own a small company.

Step 2

Get a settlement fund

Your settlement fund will be Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund.

Get details on Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund

Step 3

Open your account online in about 10 minutes

It doesn't take long to open an account if you have some information handy, such as your Social Security and bank account numbers.

Open your brokerage account online

Open or transfer accounts

Have stocks somewhere else?

Learn how to transfer an account to Vanguard

We're here to help

Have questions? Contact us

FIND THE RIGHT INVESTMENTS

Research & buy stocks

Track securities with My Watch List

Sign up for investment alert messages

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Learn how to use your account

Learn more about trading stocks

See how the markets are doing

About extended-hours trading

Are you paying too much for your ETFs?

The average Vanguard ETF^® expense ratio is 76% less than the industry average.^†

Compare another company's ETF with a similar Vanguard ETF

Find out what sets Vanguard ETFs^® apart

Enjoy some of the lowest costs in the industry, commission-free online trades through Vanguard Brokerage,^†† and fund management expertise when you invest in our ETFs.

Learn about Vanguard ETFs

REFERENCE CONTENT

Layer opened.

Settlement fund

A fund used to pay for and receive proceeds from trades in your brokerage account.

Return to main page

^footnote†Vanguard average ETF expense ratio: 0.06%. Industry average ETF expense ratio: 0.25%. All averages are asset-weighted. Industry averages exclude Vanguard. Sources: Vanguard and Morningstar, Inc., as of December 31, 2019.

^{footnote††}Trading limits, fund expenses, and minimum investments may apply. See the Vanguard Brokerage Services commission and fee schedules for full details.

You must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage Services (we offer them commission-free) or through another broker (who may charge commissions). See the Vanguard Brokerage Services commission and fee schedules for limits. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable directly with the issuing fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. ETFs are subject to market volatility. When buying or selling an ETF, you will pay or receive the current market price, which may be more or less than net asset value.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.