DFAU vs VTI
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFAU or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $12.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.90%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +17.65%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.60% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.47%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,996Best | $17,514 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.8 years).
DFAU 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
DFAU vs VTI Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAU returned +17.65% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, DFAU is up 12.90% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +20.60% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.47% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, DFAU has the edge at +15.22% annualized vs +14.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 15.0% for DFAU. 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 -23.6% for DFAU 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 1.00. 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 VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 94.8% of DFAU's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of DFAU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,709 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 2,124 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.15% | 6.32% | 0.83% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.32% | 5.84% | 0.48% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.19% | 3.81% | 1.38% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.51% | 3.17% | 0.34% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 2.71% | 2.88% | 0.17% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.45% | 2.46% | 0.01% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.24% | 2.27% | 0.03% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.47% | 1.79% | 0.32% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.09% | 1.63% | 0.54% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.23% | 1.40% | 0.17% |
94.8% of DFAU 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, DFAU or VTI?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or VTI?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.65% vs +17.22% for VTI, so DFAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAU annualized +15.22% vs +14.69% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAU or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.0% for DFAU. Worst drawdown: DFAU -23.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both DFAU and VTI?
DFAU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 VTI?
At least 94.8% of DFAU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,709 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or VTI?
DFAU yields 0.91% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFAU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.