AKAF vs VTI
The Frontier Economic Fund ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AKAF or VTI?
AKAF has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AKAF led over 1Y and the full window. AKAF is less concentrated, with 17.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | AKAF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.86% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 143 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.49% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,827Best | $12,423 |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.7%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Frontier Economic Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.2 years).
AKAF 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
AKAF vs VTI Performance
The Frontier Economic Fund ETF (AKAF) is an ETF from Frontier Economic Fund and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AKAF returned +16.61% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, AKAF is up 9.49% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AKAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 12.0% 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 -9.3% for AKAF and -8.9% 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AKAF charges 0.20% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AKAF currently yields 2.86% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
78.2% of AKAF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 29.4% of VTI's money is in holdings AKAF also owns.
Most of AKAF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
116 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in AKAF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 143 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,047 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AKAF (68.2% of the fund), and 1 for AKAF that do not appear in VTI (0.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AKAF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.75% | 6.29% | 5.54% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.73% | 4.79% | 4.06% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.70% | 3.65% | 2.95% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.70% | 2.90% | 2.20% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.16% | 0.89% | 1.27% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 2.22% | 0.20% | 2.02% |
| UBERUber Technologies Inc | 2.08% | 0.20% | 1.88% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 2.14% | 0.10% | 2.04% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.55% | 0.10% | 1.45% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 1.56% | 0.03% | 1.53% |
78.2% of AKAF 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AKAF or VTI?
AKAF has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AKAF or VTI?
Over the past year AKAF returned +16.61% vs +15.41% for VTI, so AKAF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AKAF annualized +23.06% vs +19.82% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AKAF or VTI?
AKAF has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 12.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AKAF -9.3% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both AKAF and VTI?
AKAF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 AKAF and VTI?
78.2% of AKAF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 29.4% of VTI's is in holdings AKAF also owns. They hold 116 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in AKAF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AKAF or VTI?
AKAF yields 2.86% while VTI yields 1.03%, so AKAF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AKAF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AKAF led over 1Y and the full window. AKAF is less concentrated, with 17.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.