DMCY vs VTI
Democracy International Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DMCY or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DMCY led over 1Y, VTI over the full window.
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 | DMCY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.94% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 5 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.9 years | $14,521 | $17,258Best |
| Fund Family | Democracy Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 209 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DMCY has data through Feb 13, 2026 and VTI through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2021 to Feb 13, 2026 (4.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 14.7% for DMCY. 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 -28.6% for DMCY 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMCY charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DMCY currently yields 2.94% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of DMCY'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, DMCY as of Sep 30, 2025 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 198 positions we hold weights for in DMCY and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 5 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DMCY and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DMCY or VTI?
DMCY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DMCY or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 14.7% for DMCY. Worst drawdown: DMCY -28.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both DMCY and VTI?
DMCY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DMCY or VTI?
DMCY yields 2.94% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DMCY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DMCY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DMCY led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.