ARKW vs VXUS
ARK Next Generation Internet ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ARKW or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ARKW 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 | ARKW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.76% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.72% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 44 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.57% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.77% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.05%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.52% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.7% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,783 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2014 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.9 years).
ARKW 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
ARKW vs VXUS Performance
ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKW returned +3.77% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, ARKW is up 6.57% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, ARKW compounded at +40.05% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.52% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, ARKW has the edge at +21.40% annualized vs +6.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.7% compared with 14.7% 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 -80.0% for ARKW and -39.9% 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
ARKW charges 0.76% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $76 vs $5 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKW currently yields 1.72% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.7% of ARKW'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.
ARKW and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ARKW 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 44 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. Cl A | 4.71% | 0.31% | 4.40% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARKW 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, ARKW or VXUS?
ARKW has an expense ratio of 0.76% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKW or VXUS?
Over the past year ARKW returned +3.77% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKW annualized +21.40% vs +6.20% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKW or VXUS?
ARKW has been the more volatile fund at 33.7% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ARKW -80.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ARKW and VXUS?
ARKW 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 ARKW and VXUS?
At least 4.7% of ARKW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in ARKW and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKW or VXUS?
ARKW yields 1.72% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ARKW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ARKW 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.