BRTR vs VTI
iShares Total Return Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BRTR or VTI?
Long Term High Quality 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 | BRTR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $774M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.75% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 3,009 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -2.83% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.98% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $11,005 | $16,665Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (2.8 years).
BRTR 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
BRTR vs VTI Performance
iShares Total Return Active ETF (BRTR) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BRTR returned -1.98% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, BRTR is down 2.83% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 5.2% for BRTR. 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 -5.0% for BRTR and -19.3% 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRTR charges 0.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRTR currently yields 4.75% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.6% of VTI's money is in holdings BRTR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BRTR, our book for it covers 70.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and BRTR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, BRTR as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
17 positions in common, counted across the 617 positions we hold weights for in BRTR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 3,009 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BRTR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.05% | 4.79% | 4.74% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.04% | 1.31% | 1.27% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 0.00% | 0.51% | 0.51% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.03% | 0.37% | 0.34% |
| GEVGE Vernova Inc. CDR (CAD Hedged) | 0.00% | 0.37% | 0.37% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.05% | 0.30% | 0.25% |
| CRWVCoreweave, Inc. | 0.21% | 0.04% | 0.17% |
| BABoeing Co | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.24% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.05% | 0.12% | 0.07% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 0.07% | 0.06% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRTR 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, BRTR or VTI?
BRTR has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRTR or VTI?
Over the past year BRTR returned -1.98% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRTR or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 5.2% for BRTR. Worst drawdown: BRTR -5.0% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both BRTR and VTI?
BRTR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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 BRTR and VTI?
At least 8.6% of VTI's money is in holdings BRTR also owns. Our book for BRTR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 617 positions we hold weights for in BRTR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BRTR or VTI?
BRTR yields 4.75% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BRTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BRTR?
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.