AIS vs VTI
VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AIS or VTI?
AIS has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AIS led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AIS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $949M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 68 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +78.28%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +131.59%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 49.1% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.4% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $28,835Best | $13,002 |
| Fund Family | VistaShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).
AIS vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.8 years both funds cover.
AIS vs VTI Performance
VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) is an ETF from VistaShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AIS returned +131.59% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, AIS is up 78.28% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 49.1% compared with 12.7% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -34.4% for AIS and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIS charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIS currently yields 0.00% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 54.6% of AIS's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, AIS as of Aug 19, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
29 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in AIS and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 68 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AIS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 2.98% | 6.32% | 3.34% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 6.96% | 1.79% | 5.17% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.98% | 1.30% | 3.68% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 3.56% | 0.37% | 3.19% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.98% | 0.77% | 2.21% |
| VRTVertiv Co. | 3.52% | 0.18% | 3.34% |
| GEVGe Vernova, Inc. | 2.78% | 0.43% | 2.35% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.74% | 2.46% | 1.72% |
| STXSeagate Technology Holdings Plc | 2.58% | 0.30% | 2.28% |
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 2.07% | 0.46% | 1.61% |
54.6% of AIS is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AIS or VTI?
AIS has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIS or VTI?
Over the past year AIS returned +131.59% vs +20.00% for VTI, so AIS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AIS annualized +80.10% vs +15.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIS or VTI?
AIS has been the more volatile fund at 49.1% annualized versus 12.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AIS -34.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both AIS and VTI?
AIS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AIS and VTI?
At least 54.6% of AIS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in AIS and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIS or VTI?
AIS yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AIS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AIS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.