DFAS vs VTI
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFAS or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.6% 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 | DFAS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14.9B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.97% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,060 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +11.93% | +14.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.17% | +18.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.54% | +22.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.56% | +12.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,396 | $18,213Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 2.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 15, 1998 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Oct 12, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAS 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
DFAS vs VTI Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAS returned +17.17% while VTI returned +18.05%. Year to date, DFAS is up 11.93% versus a gain of 14.43% for VTI.
Over three years, DFAS compounded at +16.54% per year against +22.93% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.56% and +12.74% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 15.6% 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 -26.1% for DFAS 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAS charges 0.26% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $3 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAS currently yields 0.97% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.9% of DFAS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's money is in holdings DFAS also owns.
Most of DFAS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, DFAS 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.
1,907 positions in common, counted across the 2,028 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 2,060 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 605 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DFAS (90.9% of the fund), and 47 for DFAS that do not appear in VTI (2.2%).
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 DFAS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APAAPA Corp. | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| JAZZJazz Pharmaceuticals Plc. | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| WCCWesco International Inc | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| TTMITtm Techologies | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| IVZInvesco Ltd | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| HLHecla Mining Co | 0.27% | 0.01% | 0.26% |
| CCKCrown Holdings Inc. | 0.25% | 0.02% | 0.23% |
| IESCIes Holdings, Inc. | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
94.9% of DFAS 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, DFAS or VTI?
DFAS has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAS or VTI?
Over the past year DFAS returned +17.17% vs +18.05% 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, DFAS or VTI?
DFAS has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DFAS -26.1% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both DFAS and VTI?
DFAS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 DFAS and VTI?
94.9% of DFAS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's is in holdings DFAS also owns. They hold 1,907 positions in common, counted across the 2,028 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAS or VTI?
DFAS yields 0.97% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFAS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.6% 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.