APRB vs VYM
Aptus April Buffer ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, APRB or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y.
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 | APRB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $25M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.20% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.95% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
APRB vs VYM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
APRB vs VYM Performance
Aptus April Buffer ETF (APRB) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year APRB returned +9.95% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, APRB is up 7.20% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
APRB charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, APRB currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of APRB and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, APRB or VYM?
APRB has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, APRB or VYM?
Over the past year APRB returned +9.95% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, APRB or VYM?
APRB yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than APRB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.