DFUS vs VTI
Dimensional US Equity Market ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFUS or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.9%.
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 | DFUS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $21.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,253 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.12%Best | +12.08% |
| 1Y Return | +16.45%Best | +16.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.08%Best | +20.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.63%Best | +11.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.6%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,125Best | $17,537 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.9% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2001 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 14, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFUS 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.
DFUS vs VTI Performance
Dimensional US Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFUS returned +16.45% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, DFUS is up 12.12% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, DFUS compounded at +21.08% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.63% and +11.89% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 15.7% for DFUS. 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 -24.6% for DFUS 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
DFUS charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFUS currently yields 0.84% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.8% of DFUS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 94.7% of VTI's money is in holdings DFUS also owns.
Most of DFUS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
2,112 positions in common, counted across the 2,215 positions we hold weights for in DFUS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 2,253 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 136 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DFUS (3.2% of the fund), and 14 for DFUS that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
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 DFUS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.24% | 6.40% | 0.84% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.45% | 6.29% | 0.16% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.31% | 4.79% | 0.52% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.58% | 3.65% | 0.07% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.79% | 2.90% | 0.11% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.44% | 2.56% | 0.12% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.27% | 2.31% | 0.04% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.79% | 1.70% | 0.09% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.54% | 1.29% | 0.25% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.52% | 1.22% | 0.30% |
97.8% of DFUS 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, DFUS or VTI?
DFUS has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFUS or VTI?
Over the past year DFUS returned +16.45% vs +16.31% for VTI, so DFUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFUS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 15.7% for DFUS. Worst drawdown: DFUS -24.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both DFUS and VTI?
DFUS 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 DFUS and VTI?
97.8% of DFUS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 94.7% of VTI's is in holdings DFUS also owns. They hold 2,112 positions in common, counted across the 2,215 positions we hold weights for in DFUS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFUS or VTI?
DFUS yields 0.84% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFUS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.