GENZ vs VTI
VanEck Digital Native Economy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GENZ or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | GENZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.51% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 40 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -6.79% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -15.02% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -0.87% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.10% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.3% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.1% | -52.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,111 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 24, 2008 to Sep 11, 2026 (18.6 years).
GENZ 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 18.6 years both funds cover.
GENZ vs VTI Performance
VanEck Digital Native Economy ETF (GENZ) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GENZ returned -15.02% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, GENZ is down 6.79% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, GENZ compounded at -0.87% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -4.10% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.19% annualized vs +1.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GENZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.3% compared with 16.1% 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 -71.1% for GENZ and -52.6% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GENZ charges 0.51% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $51 vs $3 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GENZ currently yields 3.54% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 77.0% of GENZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% 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 GENZ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, GENZ as of Sep 1, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
28 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in GENZ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 40 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GENZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCHWCharles Schwab Corp. | 8.88% | 0.21% | 8.67% |
| UBERUber Technologies Inc | 8.54% | 0.20% | 8.34% |
| DASHDoordash Inc | 6.54% | 0.09% | 6.45% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 6.19% | 0.08% | 6.11% |
| TTWOTake-Two Interactive Software, Inc. | 6.20% | 0.06% | 6.14% |
| CMECme Group Inc. | 4.76% | 0.11% | 4.65% |
| RBLXROBLOX Corp | 4.29% | 0.05% | 4.24% |
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 4.22% | 0.11% | 4.11% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 3.27% | 0.07% | 3.20% |
| DKNGDraft Kings Inc. | 2.92% | 0.02% | 2.90% |
77.0% of GENZ 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, GENZ or VTI?
GENZ has an expense ratio of 0.51% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GENZ or VTI?
Over the past year GENZ returned -15.02% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), GENZ annualized +1.97% vs +10.19% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GENZ or VTI?
GENZ has been the more volatile fund at 26.3% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GENZ -71.1% vs VTI -52.6%.
Should I hold both GENZ and VTI?
GENZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 GENZ and VTI?
At least 77.0% of GENZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in GENZ and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GENZ or VTI?
GENZ yields 3.54% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GENZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GENZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.