EFA vs VTI
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EFA or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EFA is less concentrated, with 13.7% 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 | EFA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $78.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.14% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 700 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.00% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.92%Best | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.89% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.05% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,422 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.7%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 14, 2001 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 17, 2001 to Sep 17, 2026 (25.1 years).
EFA 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 25.1 years both funds cover.
EFA vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EFA returned +17.92% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, EFA is up 11.00% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, EFA compounded at +17.89% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.05% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.42% annualized vs +6.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EFA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.3% 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 -60.0% for EFA and -56.6% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFA charges 0.32% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $3 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFA currently yields 3.14% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
1.8% of EFA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's money is in holdings EFA also owns.
EFA and VTI share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 700 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,146 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EFA (96.9% of the fund), and 12 for EFA that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EFA 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, EFA or VTI?
EFA has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFA or VTI?
Over the past year EFA returned +17.92% vs +16.78% for VTI, so EFA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), EFA annualized +6.72% vs +8.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFA or VTI?
EFA has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EFA -60.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both EFA and VTI?
EFA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 EFA and VTI?
1.8% of EFA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's is in holdings EFA also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFA or VTI?
EFA yields 3.14% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EFA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EFA is less concentrated, with 13.7% 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.