ARKX vs VTI
ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ARKX or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKX led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y 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 | ARKX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $760M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 37 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.48% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.69%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.94%Best | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.78% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.7% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,232 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 30, 2021 to Sep 10, 2026 (5.4 years).
ARKX 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
ARKX vs VTI Performance
ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKX returned +23.69% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, ARKX is up 5.48% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, ARKX compounded at +29.94% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.78% and +11.72% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.7% compared with 15.5% 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 -43.6% for ARKX and -25.4% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKX 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, ARKX currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 76.4% of ARKX's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of ARKX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ARKX as of Aug 17, 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.
25 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in ARKX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 37 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 3.69% | 6.32% | 2.63% |
| KTOSKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. | 7.56% | 0.01% | 7.55% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.32% | 3.17% | 1.15% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 6.95% | 0.07% | 6.88% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 4.67% | 1.30% | 3.37% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.68% | 2.27% | 1.41% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corporation | 5.70% | 0.08% | 5.62% |
| AVAVAerovironment Inc | 5.13% | 0.00% | 5.13% |
| DEDeere & Co. | 4.78% | 0.22% | 4.56% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.93% | 1.63% | 1.30% |
76.4% of ARKX 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, ARKX or VTI?
ARKX 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, ARKX or VTI?
Over the past year ARKX returned +23.69% vs +17.34% for VTI, so ARKX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKX or VTI?
ARKX has been the more volatile fund at 27.7% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ARKX -43.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both ARKX and VTI?
ARKX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 ARKX and VTI?
At least 76.4% of ARKX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in ARKX and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKX or VTI?
ARKX yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ARKX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKX led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.