BRTR vs VXUS
iShares Total Return Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BRTR or VXUS?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $774M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.75% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,009 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -2.83% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.98% | +18.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 11.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $11,005 | $16,168Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
BRTR vs VXUS Performance
iShares Total Return Active ETF (BRTR) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BRTR returned -1.98% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, BRTR is down 2.83% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.1% 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 -13.6% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRTR charges 0.38% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $5 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRTR currently yields 4.75% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 617 holdings in BRTR and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 70.3% and 89.3% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, BRTR as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 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 617 positions we hold weights for in BRTR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 3,009 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BRTR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APA:AUApa Group | 0.12% | 0.02% | 0.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRTR 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, BRTR or VXUS?
BRTR has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRTR or VXUS?
Over the past year BRTR returned -1.98% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRTR or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 11.1% annualized versus 5.2% for BRTR. Worst drawdown: BRTR -5.0% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both BRTR and VXUS?
BRTR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, BRTR or VXUS?
BRTR yields 4.75% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BRTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BRTR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.