ESGG vs VTI
Northern Trust STOXX Global ESG Select ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ESGG or VTI?
ESGG has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ESGG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.3%.
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 | ESGG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.42% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $119M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.25% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 728 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +15.92%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +20.46%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.49%Best | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.90%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,343Best | $18,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2016 to Oct 2, 2026 (10.2 years).
ESGG 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 10.2 years both funds cover.
ESGG vs VTI Performance
Northern Trust STOXX Global ESG Select ETF (ESGG) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESGG returned +20.46% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, ESGG is up 15.92% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, ESGG compounded at +23.49% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.90% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ESGG has the edge at +13.69% annualized vs +13.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESGG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 15.7% 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 -32.3% for ESGG and -35.0% 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
ESGG charges 0.42% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $42 vs $3 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESGG currently yields 1.25% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
67.3% of ESGG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 40.1% of VTI's money is in holdings ESGG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ESGG as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
116 positions in common, counted across the 675 positions we hold weights for in ESGG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 728 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,042 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ESGG (57.5% of the fund), and 5 for ESGG that do not appear in VTI (0.3%).
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 ESGG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.25% | 6.29% | 1.04% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.77% | 6.40% | 1.63% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.03% | 4.79% | 1.24% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.16% | 2.56% | 1.60% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 5.01% | 1.31% | 3.70% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.31% | 1.29% | 3.02% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.43% | 1.35% | 2.08% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.41% | 0.86% | 2.55% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 3.03% | 0.89% | 2.14% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.93% | 1.28% | 0.65% |
67.3% of ESGG 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, ESGG or VTI?
ESGG has an expense ratio of 0.42% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESGG or VTI?
Over the past year ESGG returned +20.46% vs +15.92% for VTI, so ESGG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ESGG annualized +13.69% vs +13.65% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESGG or VTI?
ESGG has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ESGG -32.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ESGG and VTI?
ESGG 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.
What is the holdings overlap between ESGG and VTI?
67.3% of ESGG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 40.1% of VTI's is in holdings ESGG also owns. They hold 116 positions in common, counted across the 675 positions we hold weights for in ESGG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESGG or VTI?
ESGG yields 1.25% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ESGG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ESGG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ESGG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.