HERO vs VTI
Global X Video Games & Esports ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HERO or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 58.0%.
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 | HERO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.69% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 45 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -9.57% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | -19.16% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.27% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.37% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 17.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,186 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2019 to Oct 1, 2026 (6.9 years).
HERO 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
HERO vs VTI Performance
Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HERO returned -19.16% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, HERO is down 9.57% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, HERO compounded at +15.27% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.37% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.02% annualized vs +9.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HERO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 17.1% 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 -54.0% for HERO 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HERO charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HERO currently yields 1.69% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
18.6% of HERO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings HERO also owns.
HERO and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, HERO 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in HERO and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 45 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for HERO (97.3% of the fund), and 2 for HERO that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HERO 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, HERO or VTI?
HERO has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HERO or VTI?
Over the past year HERO returned -19.16% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), HERO annualized +9.67% vs +15.02% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HERO or VTI?
HERO has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 17.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: HERO -54.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both HERO and VTI?
HERO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 HERO and VTI?
18.6% of HERO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings HERO also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in HERO and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HERO or VTI?
HERO yields 1.69% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HERO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HERO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 58.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.