ESSC vs VTI
Eventide Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ESSC or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ESSC led over 1Y.
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 | ESSC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $37M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.41% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 373 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.94%Best | +12.95% |
| 1Y Return | +21.18%Best | +19.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 13.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Eventide | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
ESSC 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ESSC vs VTI Performance
Eventide Small Cap ETF (ESSC) is an ETF from Eventide and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESSC returned +21.18% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, ESSC is up 16.94% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.0% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESSC charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESSC currently yields 0.41% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 78.3% of ESSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% 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 ESSC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
288 positions in common, counted across the 373 positions we hold weights for in ESSC and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 373 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ESSC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESIElement Solutions Inc | 0.91% | 0.02% | 0.89% |
| HIWHighwoods Properties Inc 0.00 | 0.79% | 0.00% | 0.79% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.78% | 0.00% | 0.78% |
| FNBFnb Corp/pa Common Stock Usd.01 | 0.77% | 0.00% | 0.77% |
| ASBAssociated Banc-Corp | 0.75% | 0.00% | 0.75% |
| NWBINorthwest Bancshares Inc | 0.73% | 0.00% | 0.73% |
| SWXSouthwest Gas Corp. | 0.70% | 0.00% | 0.70% |
| TFSLTfs Financial Corp | 0.68% | 0.00% | 0.68% |
| WSBCWesBanco Inc | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| ACAArcosa Inc | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.66% |
78.3% of ESSC 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, ESSC or VTI?
ESSC has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESSC or VTI?
Over the past year ESSC returned +21.18% vs +19.17% for VTI, so ESSC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESSC or VTI?
ESSC has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.0% for VTI.
Should I hold both ESSC and VTI?
ESSC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 ESSC and VTI?
At least 78.3% of ESSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 288 positions in common, counted across the 373 positions we hold weights for in ESSC and 2,788 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESSC or VTI?
ESSC yields 0.41% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ESSC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ESSC led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.