IBTF vs VXUS
iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IBTF or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y 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 | IBTF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.85% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 6 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.7%Best | 16.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.8%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5.8 years | $10,710 | $17,427Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 282 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IBTF has data through Dec 15, 2025 and VXUS through Sep 23, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2020 to Dec 15, 2025 (5.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 2.7% for IBTF. 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 -20.8% for IBTF and -29.4% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.17. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBTF charges 0.07% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBTF currently yields 3.85% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in IBTF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 161.4% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 245 days apart, IBTF as of Nov 28, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in IBTF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 6 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBTF and VXUS 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, IBTF or VXUS?
IBTF has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IBTF or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 2.7% for IBTF. Worst drawdown: IBTF -20.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both IBTF and VXUS?
IBTF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.17, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IBTF or VXUS?
IBTF yields 3.85% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IBTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IBTF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.