EFA vs VXUS
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, EFA or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $78.7B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.14% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 700 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +10.61% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.29% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.76% | +19.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.79% | +8.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,239 | $15,260Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 14, 2001 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
EFA vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
EFA vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EFA returned +18.29% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, EFA is up 10.61% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, EFA compounded at +17.76% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.79% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, EFA has the edge at +7.05% annualized vs +4.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.8% for EFA. 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 -34.2% for EFA and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFA charges 0.32% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $5 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFA currently yields 3.14% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.5% of EFA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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 EFA is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
466 positions in common, counted across the 671 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 700 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EFA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding N.V. | 2.95% | 1.70% | 1.25% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 1.64% | 0.72% | 0.92% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.27% | 0.65% | 0.62% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.15% | 0.59% | 0.56% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 1.07% | 0.62% | 0.45% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.10% | 0.52% | 0.58% |
| SHELShell plc | 1.12% | 0.48% | 0.64% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 1.05% | 0.48% | 0.57% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 0.94% | 0.45% | 0.49% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 0.95% | 0.42% | 0.53% |
72.5% of EFA is already inside VXUS.
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, EFA or VXUS?
EFA has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFA or VXUS?
Over the past year EFA returned +18.29% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EFA annualized +7.05% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.8% for EFA. Worst drawdown: EFA -34.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both EFA and VXUS?
EFA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 EFA and VXUS?
At least 72.5% of EFA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 466 positions in common, counted across the 671 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFA or VXUS?
EFA yields 3.14% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so EFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than EFA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.