GSC vs VTI
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GSC or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. GSC is less concentrated, with 16.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | GSC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $277M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.13% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 197 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +15.30%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +18.72%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.37% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -27.0% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,169 | $18,690Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (3 years).
GSC 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 3 years both funds cover.
GSC vs VTI Performance
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF (GSC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GSC returned +18.72% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, GSC is up 15.30% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, GSC compounded at +17.37% per year against +23.41% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 12.6% 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 -27.0% for GSC and -19.3% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSC charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSC currently yields 0.13% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.1% of GSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's money is in holdings GSC also owns.
Most of GSC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, GSC 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.
90 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 197 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,094 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GSC (96.8% of the fund), and 3 for GSC that do not appear in VTI (2.4%).
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 GSC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 1.79% | 0.01% | 1.78% |
| GKOSGlaukos Corp Common Stock Usd 0.001 | 1.77% | 0.01% | 1.76% |
| MANHManhattan Associates Inc | 1.72% | 0.02% | 1.70% |
| LTHLife Time Inc | 1.71% | 0.01% | 1.70% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 1.67% | 0.01% | 1.66% |
| TRNOTerreno Realty Corp | 1.57% | 0.01% | 1.56% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 1.53% | 0.01% | 1.52% |
| DOCNDigitalocean Holdings Inc | 1.52% | 0.01% | 1.51% |
| SKWDSkyward Specialty Insurance Group Inc | 1.51% | 0.00% | 1.51% |
| RNSTRenasant Corp. | 1.50% | 0.01% | 1.49% |
94.1% of GSC 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, GSC or VTI?
GSC has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSC or VTI?
Over the past year GSC returned +18.72% vs +15.92% for VTI, so GSC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSC or VTI?
GSC has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 12.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GSC -27.0% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both GSC and VTI?
GSC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 GSC and VTI?
94.1% of GSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's is in holdings GSC also owns. They hold 90 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSC or VTI?
GSC yields 0.13% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GSC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. GSC is less concentrated, with 16.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.