IJR vs VTI
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IJR or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | IJR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $108.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 662 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.07%Best | +11.65% |
| 1Y Return | +21.82%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.04% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.98% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,012 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 10, 2026 (25.3 years).
IJR 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
IJR vs VTI Performance
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IJR returned +21.82% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, IJR is up 17.07% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, IJR compounded at +15.04% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.98% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, IJR has the edge at +8.71% annualized vs +8.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 15.3% 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 -58.9% for IJR and -56.6% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJR charges 0.06% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.14% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 76.9% of IJR'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 IJR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, IJR 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.
459 positions in common, counted across the 593 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 662 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IJR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GKOSGlaukos Corp. | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 0.57% | 0.00% | 0.57% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc. | 0.55% | 0.01% | 0.54% |
| PAYCPaycom Software Inc | 0.56% | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.49% | 0.00% | 0.49% |
| RHPRyman Hospitality Properties | 0.48% | 0.01% | 0.47% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.45% | 0.01% | 0.44% |
| ESIElement Solutions Inc | 0.44% | 0.02% | 0.42% |
76.9% of IJR 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, IJR or VTI?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJR or VTI?
Over the past year IJR returned +21.82% vs +17.34% for VTI, so IJR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IJR annualized +8.71% vs +8.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJR or VTI?
IJR has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IJR -58.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IJR and VTI?
IJR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 IJR and VTI?
At least 76.9% of IJR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 459 positions in common, counted across the 593 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJR or VTI?
IJR yields 1.14% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IJR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IJR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.