Vanguard Workplace Solutions Review
by The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Vanguard offers direct 401(k) recordkeeping, a pooled employer plan and VRPA for smaller plans. VRPA starts at $4,850 a year bundled (up to 15 participants, under $10M in assets) or $3,775 for recordkeeping alone, plus a TPA's fees.
Best for
- Small and midsize plans that work with an advisor and want published VRPA fees
- Sponsors that want Vanguard target-date funds alongside non-Vanguard funds
- Employers that want plan analytics and benchmarks
Not ideal for
- Buyers who need published SOC 2 or payroll integration details
- Very small plans comparing flat monthly fees (VRPA is priced by the year)
How we evaluated Vanguard Workplace Solutions
This review rests on the 12 facts this page shows, each checked against the source listed under “Sources”, most recently on . We did not test the product hands-on: the score uses only those verified facts, as our methodology explains; third-party ratings, where we quote them, never count in the score.
Our verdict
Vanguard Workplace Solutions offers 401(k) recordkeeping from Vanguard, an investor-owned firm operating since 1975: direct recordkeeping, a pooled employer plan and Vanguard Retirement Plan Access for small and midsize plans. VRPA bundled fees start at $4,850 a year for up to 15 participants under $10M in assets, or $3,775 unbundled for Vanguard's recordkeeping alone, with a separately paid TPA handling plan administration; direct recordkeeping and the pooled employer plan are quoted.
Strengths
Published VRPA fee schedule
Bundled fees from $4,850 a year for up to 15 participants under $10M in assets, plus $75 a year per participant from 16 to 50.
Fund lineup
Vanguard Target Retirement Funds and other low-cost Vanguard funds plus about 12,000 non-Vanguard funds.
Evidence: Investment menu and default investment: Yes2
Fiduciary flexibility
VRPA accommodates firm-specific 3(21), 3(38) and model portfolios.
Evidence: Fiduciary services: Yes2
Sponsor analytics
My Plan Manager gives real-time plan analytics and Plan Health benchmarks.
Evidence
Key features: My Plan Manager with Plan Health analytics, Vanguard Target Retirement Funds and about 12,000 non-Vanguard funds, Well on Your Way financial wellness, How America Saves benchmarks, Real-time compliance testing via the web (VRPA)3
Weaknesses
Fees outside the schedule
Setup, conversion, transaction and ancillary service fees are not in the published schedule.
Evidence
Extra costs: Plan installation and setup fees, Participant transaction fees for distributions and loans, Ancillary services such as self-directed brokerage accounts and financial wellness, Conversion fee2
Large-plan pricing quoted
Direct recordkeeping and the pooled employer plan are quoted.
Evidence: Price transparency: Partly published2
Price at a glance
Quick answers
- How much does a Vanguard 401(k) cost?
- For VRPA, the bundled annual fee starts at $4,850 for up to 15 participants under $10M in assets ($4,075 above $10M), plus $75 a year for each participant from 16 to 50. In the unbundled program, $3,775 covers Vanguard's recordkeeping alone; a separately paid TPA handles plan administration.
- What fees are not included in VRPA pricing?
- Plan installation and setup fees, participant transaction fees for distributions and loans, ancillary services and conversion fees.Based on Extra costs: Plan installation and setup fees, Participant transaction fees for distributions and loans, Ancillary services such as self-directed brokerage accounts and financial wellness, Conversion fee2
- What 401(k) options does Vanguard offer employers?
- Direct recordkeeping, Vanguard Retirement Plan Access for small and midsize plans, a pooled employer plan, Individual 401(k), SEP-IRA and SIMPLE IRA.Based on Modules: Direct recordkeeping, Vanguard Retirement Plan Access (VRPA), Pooled employer plan (PEP), Individual 401(k), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA1
- Can a VRPA plan use non-Vanguard funds?
- Yes. VRPA plans can combine Vanguard's low-cost funds with nonproprietary funds; Vanguard cites about 12,000 non-Vanguard funds.Based on Investment menu and default investment: Yes2
Coverage of core 401(k) providers capabilities
Each core capability we evaluate in 401(k) Providers, checked against Vanguard Workplace Solutions’ own documentation. “Not verified yet” means we have not confirmed it either way, not that it is missing.
5 verified of 10 core capabilities
401(k) Providers
- Plan design and document4
- Participant recordkeeping1
- Payroll integration · not verified yet
- Investment menu and default investment2
- Fiduciary services2
- Compliance testing2
- Form 5500 support · not verified yet
- Automatic enrollment · not verified yet
- Participant notices and education · not verified yet
- Fee disclosure · not verified yet
Specifications
Vanguard Workplace Solutions alternatives
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Fidelity Workplace Investing
Human Interest
Principal Financial Group90% similar
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Implementation and support
About The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Official profiles
Vanguard Workplace Solutions: frequently asked questions
Does Vanguard run 401(k) compliance testing?
Yes. VRPA offers real-time compliance testing via the web.
Can a Vanguard plan use a 3(38) fiduciary?
Yes. VRPA accommodates firm-specific 3(21) and 3(38) arrangements and model portfolios.
What tools does Vanguard give plan sponsors?
My Plan Manager with Plan Health analytics, How America Saves benchmarks and the Well on Your Way financial wellness program.
Does Vanguard use AI in its 401(k) service?
Vanguard describes an AI-enhanced personalization system for participant guidance.
Does Vanguard offer a PEP?
Yes. Vanguard's pooled employer plan (PEP) lets employers delegate a large share of the fiduciary responsibility to a consultancy, so some duties stay with the employer; its price is quoted, not published.
What is Vanguard Workplace Solutions used for?
Vanguard Workplace Solutions is a 401(k) providers product built for small businesses and mid-market companies. Its modules include Direct recordkeeping, Vanguard Retirement Plan Access, Pooled employer plan, Individual 401, SEP-IRA, and SIMPLE IRA.
Is Vanguard Workplace Solutions legit?
Vanguard Workplace Solutions is sold by The Vanguard Group, Inc., which was founded in 1975, is headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, USA, and is privately held.
What are the pros and cons of Vanguard Workplace Solutions?
Strengths documented on the vendor’s own pages: published VRPA fee schedule, fund lineup, and fiduciary flexibility. It is less suited to buyers who need published SOC 2 or payroll integration details and very small plans comparing flat monthly fees (VRPA is priced by the year).
How this page was made
What it is built from
12 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 3, 2026.
Method
Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology
Independent review
Passed our independent review on Nov 6, 2026. How we review
Hands-on testing
We have not tested Vanguard Workplace Solutions hands-on: this page uses public information only.
Who made it
The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us
Independence and errors
Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction
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How we make money
LeadChange may earn a fee when you request pricing through our site or follow a sponsored link. Rankings never depend on whether a vendor pays us.
What changed
PricingWe no longer list Fund expense ratios in Vanguard Workplace Solutions’ extra costs.
PublishedFirst published.
Sources
The 8 pages this page's facts come from. The date beside each is our last check of the facts taken from it (the oldest, when they differ). The numbers beside the figures above link here.
Quotes from the sources
- Vanguard workplace.vanguard.com/401k-plans/recordkeeping-built-for-the-way-clients-do-business.html“VRPA brings high-quality recordkeeping to small and midsize plans through a flexible, partnership-oriented model” “PEPs let clients delegate a large share of the fiduciary responsibility to a consultancy while accessing Vanguard's investments and financial well-being services.”
- Vanguard workplace.vanguard.com/content/dam/inst/iig-transformation/offers/vrpa/pdf/build-your-retirement-business-with-Vanguard-Retirement-Plan-Access-Advisor-pricing.pdf“Our bundled program includes both recordkeeping and certain plan administration services.” “participant-incurred transaction fees for using certain services (e.g., distributions and loans), and fees for ancillary services that may be used”
- Vanguard workplace.vanguard.com/401k-plans/dc-recordkeeping/mpm/my-plan-manager.html“With real-time plan analytics at your fingertips, you can effortlessly manage day-to-day operations while gaining the deep insights needed for strategic decision-making.”
- Vanguard workplace.vanguard.com/401k-plans/vrpa/small-and-midsized-plan-recordkeeping.html
- Vanguard workplace.vanguard.com/401k-plans/dc-recordkeeping/how-we-help-employees.html“Science-based, AI-enhanced, and human-centered”
- Vanguard workplace.vanguard.com/401k-plans/dc-recordkeeping/how-we-help-plan-sponsors.html“You’ll partner with dedicated Vanguard retirement experts who understand your goals.”
- Vanguard corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/who-we-are/sets-us-apart/facts-and-figures.html“Vanguard commences operations May 1, 1975” “Vanguard is owned by its funds, which are owned by Vanguard's fund shareholders.”
- Vanguard corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/who-we-are/pressroom/press-release-vanguard-adds-three-new-funds-including-vanguard-500-index-fund-to-vanguard-investor-choice-102125.html“VALLEY FORGE, PA (October 21, 2025)—Vanguard today announced”