Minimum to qualify
Vault
USD 100,000 in liquid net wealth.
StashAway
No stated minimum for General Investing portfolios. Alternatives (private equity, private credit, private infrastructure) start at USD 20,000.
StashAway brings Singapore's robo playbook to the DIFC — algorithmic ETF portfolios, a goal-based app, and a low fee curve. Vault is built for clients who need fiduciary advice across planning, private markets, and family wealth — not a model portfolio.
StashAway runs a clean, app-based robo experience with a proprietary risk-managed framework (ERAA) and a tiered fee that drops to 0.2% at scale. Vault delivers dedicated, human, CFA- or CFP-led financial planning around a globally diversified core, with a satellite of private-market and thematic strategies.
Side-by-side
| Dimension | Vault | StashAway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to qualify | USD 100,000 in liquid net wealth. | No stated minimum for General Investing portfolios. Alternatives (private equity, private credit, private infrastructure) start at USD 20,000. |
| Fee model | One management fee, tiered so the rate falls as the portfolio grows. No transaction fees on the core, no custody fees, no commissions, no retrocessions. | Tiered management fee, each rate applying to its band (inclusive of VAT): 0.8% p.a. on the first USD 25k, then 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.3% through USD 1M, and 0.2% p.a. above USD 1M. Rebalancing, transaction and re-optimisation costs are included. ETF TERs (~0.2% average) sit on top. |
| Asset custody | Assets custodied with Interactive Brokers in your own name — fully segregated, SIPC + FDIC insured. Vault never takes possession of client funds. | Deposits first go to an Emirates NBD trust account; purchased securities are held in a custodian account through Saxo Capital Markets. StashAway Simple holdings are held with State Street Custodial Services (Jersey) Limited. |
| Regulation | FSRA-regulated in ADGM (UAE) and CMA-licensed in Saudi Arabia (licence 25313-20). | StashAway Management (DIFC) Limited is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), firm reference F006312. |
| Advisor incentives | Advisors are salaried, with bonuses tied to client outcomes and retention — never to product sales, transaction volume, or in-house fund flows. | Algorithmic-first. There is no in-house dedicated fiduciary advisor relationship of the kind a private wealth client expects; revenue is the management fee on AUM. |
| Investment access | Globally diversified core via low-cost ETFs and bonds, plus a satellite with curated private-market opportunities, thematic strategies, and direct equity convictions. | ETF-based General Investing, Shariah, ESG/Responsible, Thematic (Technology, Healthcare, Environment) and a customisable Flexible portfolio, plus a small private-markets shelf (PE, private credit, infrastructure). No individual stocks or crypto. |
| Cash yield | SmartCash earns daily interest in USD, EUR, and GBP — no lock-ins, no teaser rates, no minimum balance to earn the headline rate. | StashAway Simple (AED, invested in the Emirates Islamic AED Money Market Fund) projects 4.0% p.a. net of fees as of 30 September 2026. USD Cash Yield (short-term US Treasuries, 0.3% p.a. fee, no minimum) shows a 4% yield to maturity as of 23 September 2026. No lock-up; rates are variable. |
| Planning model | Structured financial planning around your goals, cash flow, and family — delivered by a dedicated CFA- or CFP-qualified advisor, complimentary as part of the relationship. | Goal-based digital flow: enter a target amount and horizon and the app recommends a risk index. Planning is self-serve, not advisor-delivered. |
Vault
USD 100,000 in liquid net wealth.
StashAway
No stated minimum for General Investing portfolios. Alternatives (private equity, private credit, private infrastructure) start at USD 20,000.
Vault
One management fee, tiered so the rate falls as the portfolio grows. No transaction fees on the core, no custody fees, no commissions, no retrocessions.
StashAway
Tiered management fee, each rate applying to its band (inclusive of VAT): 0.8% p.a. on the first USD 25k, then 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.3% through USD 1M, and 0.2% p.a. above USD 1M. Rebalancing, transaction and re-optimisation costs are included. ETF TERs (~0.2% average) sit on top.
Vault
Assets custodied with Interactive Brokers in your own name — fully segregated, SIPC + FDIC insured. Vault never takes possession of client funds.
StashAway
Deposits first go to an Emirates NBD trust account; purchased securities are held in a custodian account through Saxo Capital Markets. StashAway Simple holdings are held with State Street Custodial Services (Jersey) Limited.
Vault
FSRA-regulated in ADGM (UAE) and CMA-licensed in Saudi Arabia (licence 25313-20).
StashAway
StashAway Management (DIFC) Limited is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), firm reference F006312.
Vault
Advisors are salaried, with bonuses tied to client outcomes and retention — never to product sales, transaction volume, or in-house fund flows.
StashAway
Algorithmic-first. There is no in-house dedicated fiduciary advisor relationship of the kind a private wealth client expects; revenue is the management fee on AUM.
Vault
Globally diversified core via low-cost ETFs and bonds, plus a satellite with curated private-market opportunities, thematic strategies, and direct equity convictions.
StashAway
ETF-based General Investing, Shariah, ESG/Responsible, Thematic (Technology, Healthcare, Environment) and a customisable Flexible portfolio, plus a small private-markets shelf (PE, private credit, infrastructure). No individual stocks or crypto.
Vault
SmartCash earns daily interest in USD, EUR, and GBP — no lock-ins, no teaser rates, no minimum balance to earn the headline rate.
StashAway
StashAway Simple (AED, invested in the Emirates Islamic AED Money Market Fund) projects 4.0% p.a. net of fees as of 30 September 2026. USD Cash Yield (short-term US Treasuries, 0.3% p.a. fee, no minimum) shows a 4% yield to maturity as of 23 September 2026. No lock-up; rates are variable.
Vault
Structured financial planning around your goals, cash flow, and family — delivered by a dedicated CFA- or CFP-qualified advisor, complimentary as part of the relationship.
StashAway
Goal-based digital flow: enter a target amount and horizon and the app recommends a risk index. Planning is self-serve, not advisor-delivered.
Competitor details last updated . Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
Why Vault
Custody
Vault never takes possession of client funds. Assets sit in your own account at IBKR — segregated, with SIPC and FDIC protection on the underlying.
Incentives
Vault advisors are salaried with bonuses tied to client outcomes and retention. No commissions, no kickbacks, no in-house product flows.
Regulation
Vault Wealth Limited is regulated by the FSRA in ADGM. Vault Saudi Limited Company is licensed by the CMA (licence 25313-20).
Entry point
A genuine private-wealth relationship without the seven-figure threshold that defines traditional private banking.
Investment access
Beyond the diversified core, Vault clients access curated private-market opportunities, thematic strategies, and direct convictions — the same shelf as larger institutions.
Planning
Goals, cash flow, risk, and family wealth — modelled end-to-end and reviewed continuously with a CFA- or CFP-qualified advisor who knows your name.
Cash
Multi-currency cash earning daily interest in USD, EUR, and GBP. Withdraw anytime — no teaser rates, no minimums, no surprises.
Vault: USD 100,000 in liquid net wealth. StashAway: No stated minimum for General Investing portfolios. Alternatives (private equity, private credit, private infrastructure) start at USD 20,000.
Vault: Assets custodied with Interactive Brokers in your own name — fully segregated, SIPC + FDIC insured. Vault never takes possession of client funds. StashAway: Deposits first go to an Emirates NBD trust account; purchased securities are held in a custodian account through Saxo Capital Markets. StashAway Simple holdings are held with State Street Custodial Services (Jersey) Limited.
Vault: Advisors are salaried, with bonuses tied to client outcomes and retention — never to product sales, transaction volume, or in-house fund flows. StashAway: Algorithmic-first. There is no in-house dedicated fiduciary advisor relationship of the kind a private wealth client expects; revenue is the management fee on AUM.
Vault: FSRA-regulated in ADGM (UAE) and CMA-licensed in Saudi Arabia (licence 25313-20). StashAway: StashAway Management (DIFC) Limited is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), firm reference F006312.
Vault: Structured financial planning around your goals, cash flow, and family — delivered by a dedicated CFA- or CFP-qualified advisor, complimentary as part of the relationship. StashAway: Goal-based digital flow: enter a target amount and horizon and the app recommends a risk index. Planning is self-serve, not advisor-delivered.
Book a complimentary discovery session with a Vault advisor. We'll walk through your current setup, model the all-in cost, and show you exactly what a Vault relationship would look like — no obligation.
Sources & disclaimers
Comparison data is taken from each provider's publicly disclosed materials as of May 2026. Bank fee schedules, minimums, and product shelves change frequently — always verify current figures with each institution before deciding. Nothing on this page is a solicitation to switch providers or a representation that Vault is better suited to a particular individual's circumstances. For independent advice tailored to your situation, speak with a regulated wealth advisor.
Reviewed by Bilal Abou-Diab, CFA