FFLX vs VTI
First Trust Flexible Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FFLX or VTI?
VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio.
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 | FFLX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $177M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 105 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -2.06% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.83% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FFLX 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.
FFLX vs VTI Performance
First Trust Flexible Income ETF (FFLX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, FFLX is down 2.06% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFLX charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFLX currently yields 7.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FFLX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FFLX, our book for it covers 34.4% 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 46 days apart, FFLX 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 105 positions we hold weights for in FFLX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 105 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FFLX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc 6.875 11/73 6.88 2173-11-15 | 0.24% | 0.30% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FFLX 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, FFLX or VTI?
FFLX has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFLX or VTI?
FFLX yields 7.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FFLX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FFLX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.