DFAU vs VOO
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DFAU or VOO?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%.
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 | DFAU | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $12.7B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +12.90%Best | +12.50% |
| 1Y Return | +17.65%Best | +17.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.60% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.47% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Tie | 15.0%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,996 | $18,384Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.1%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.8 years).
DFAU vs VOO 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
DFAU vs VOO Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAU returned +17.65% while VOO returned +17.58%. Year to date, DFAU is up 12.90% versus a gain of 12.50% for VOO.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +20.60% per year against +21.27% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +12.47% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +15.58% annualized vs +15.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAU and VOO have been equally volatile, both at 15.0% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.6% for DFAU and -24.5% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAU charges 0.12% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $3 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAU currently yields 0.91% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
87.0% of DFAU's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 97.2% of VOO's money is in holdings DFAU also owns.
Most of VOO is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
460 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 505 in VOO, against full books of 2,124 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 40 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for DFAU (2.3% of the fund), and 704 for DFAU that do not appear in VOO (11.3%).
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 DFAU | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.15% | 7.51% | 0.36% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.32% | 6.59% | 0.27% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.19% | 4.30% | 0.89% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.51% | 3.62% | 0.11% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 2.71% | 3.25% | 0.54% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.45% | 2.77% | 0.32% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.24% | 2.59% | 0.35% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 1.80% | 1.92% | 0.12% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.47% | 2.02% | 0.55% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.09% | 1.84% | 0.75% |
97.2% of VOO is already inside DFAU.
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, DFAU or VOO?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or VOO?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.65% vs +17.58% for VOO, so DFAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAU annualized +15.22% vs +15.58% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAU or VOO?
DFAU and VOO have been equally volatile, both at 15.0% annualized. Worst drawdown: DFAU -23.6% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both DFAU and VOO?
DFAU and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFAU and VOO?
97.2% of VOO's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 97.2% of VOO's is in holdings DFAU also owns. They hold 460 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or VOO?
DFAU yields 0.91% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than DFAU?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.