BUFE vs VTI
FT Vest Laddered Emerging Markets Buffer ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BUFE or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio.
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 | BUFE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 10 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.17% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.94% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2026 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BUFE 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BUFE vs VTI Performance
FT Vest Laddered Emerging Markets Buffer ETF (BUFE) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, BUFE is up 6.17% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFE charges 1.05% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $3 annually, a gap of $102 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFE currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in BUFE and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 99.9% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in BUFE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 10 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFE 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, BUFE or VTI?
BUFE has an expense ratio of 1.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $102 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUFE or VTI?
BUFE yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BUFE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.