DES vs VTI
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DES or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DES led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DES is less concentrated, with 9.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | DES | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 516 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +16.51%Best | +14.35% |
| 1Y Return | +20.07%Best | +17.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.54% | +22.47%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.95% | +12.62%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,993 | $18,117Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.4%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2006 to Oct 13, 2026 (20.3 years).
DES 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
DES vs VTI Performance
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DES returned +20.07% while VTI returned +17.97%. Year to date, DES is up 16.51% versus a gain of 14.35% for VTI.
Over three years, DES compounded at +14.54% per year against +22.47% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.95% and +12.62% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.76% annualized vs +4.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.7% 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 -68.1% for DES and -56.6% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DES 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, DES currently yields 2.29% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.2% of DES's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.8% of VTI's money is in holdings DES also owns.
Most of DES is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, DES 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.
485 positions in common, counted across the 501 positions we hold weights for in DES and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 516 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,072 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DES (96.7% of the fund), and 13 for DES that do not appear in VTI (2.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DES | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFSLTfs Financial Corp Com | 1.20% | 0.00% | 1.20% |
| EPREpr Properties | 1.09% | 0.01% | 1.08% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 1.03% | 0.01% | 1.02% |
| PTENPatterson-Uti Energy Inc | 0.95% | 0.01% | 0.94% |
| KGSKodiak Gas Services Inccommon Stock | 0.94% | 0.01% | 0.93% |
| NEWNorthwestern Ene | 0.90% | 0.01% | 0.89% |
| SONSonoco Products Company | 0.89% | 0.01% | 0.88% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 0.85% | 0.01% | 0.84% |
| OUTOutfront Media Inc | 0.78% | 0.01% | 0.77% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 0.77% | 0.01% | 0.76% |
94.2% of DES 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, DES or VTI?
DES 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, DES or VTI?
Over the past year DES returned +20.07% vs +17.97% for VTI, so DES leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DES annualized +4.97% vs +9.76% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DES or VTI?
DES has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DES -68.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both DES and VTI?
DES and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 DES and VTI?
94.2% of DES's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.8% of VTI's is in holdings DES also owns. They hold 485 positions in common, counted across the 501 positions we hold weights for in DES and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DES or VTI?
DES yields 2.29% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DES currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DES?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DES led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DES is less concentrated, with 9.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.