ARKF vs VXUS
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ARKF or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ARKF led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | ARKF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $701M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 41 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -2.20% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.19% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.51%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.97% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.0% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,601 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.6 years).
ARKF vs VXUS 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 7.6 years both funds cover.
ARKF vs VXUS Performance
ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKF returned -11.19% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, ARKF is down 2.20% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, ARKF compounded at +30.51% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -2.97% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, ARKF has the edge at +11.77% annualized vs +9.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.0% compared with 15.9% for VXUS. 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 -78.6% for ARKF and -35.1% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKF charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKF currently yields 0.11% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 12.0% of ARKF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
ARKF and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ARKF as of Aug 17, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 41 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKF and VXUS 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, ARKF or VXUS?
ARKF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKF or VXUS?
Over the past year ARKF returned -11.19% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), ARKF annualized +11.77% vs +9.94% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKF or VXUS?
ARKF has been the more volatile fund at 38.0% annualized versus 15.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ARKF -78.6% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both ARKF and VXUS?
ARKF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 ARKF and VXUS?
At least 12.0% of ARKF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in ARKF and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKF or VXUS?
ARKF yields 0.11% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ARKF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ARKF led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.