AVSF vs VTI
Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AVSF or VTI?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | AVSF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $655M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 501 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.9%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.8%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $10,364 | $17,044Best |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 14, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 475 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. AVSF has data through May 23, 2025 and VTI through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 15, 2020 to May 23, 2025 (4.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 2.9% for AVSF. 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 -8.8% for AVSF 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVSF charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVSF currently yields 4.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 460 holdings in AVSF and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 91.2% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 2 positions appear in both.
2 positions in common, counted across the 460 positions we hold weights for in AVSF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 501 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AVSF and VTI 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, AVSF or VTI?
AVSF has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, AVSF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 2.9% for AVSF. Worst drawdown: AVSF -8.8% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both AVSF and VTI?
AVSF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVSF or VTI?
AVSF yields 4.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so AVSF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AVSF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.