INTF vs VTI
iShares International Equity Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, INTF or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. INTF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. INTF is less concentrated, with 12.6% 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 | INTF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.90% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 504 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.23% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.63%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.40% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.18% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,988 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 4, 2015 to Sep 18, 2026 (11.4 years).
INTF 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
INTF vs VTI Performance
iShares International Equity Factor ETF (INTF) 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 INTF returned +20.63% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, INTF is up 12.23% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, INTF compounded at +20.40% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.18% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.21% annualized vs +6.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.0% for INTF. 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 -43.9% for INTF 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
INTF charges 0.16% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $3 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, INTF currently yields 2.90% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of INTF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings INTF also owns.
INTF and VTI share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 470 positions we hold weights for in INTF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 504 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,148 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for INTF (97.4% of the fund), and 6 for INTF that do not appear in VTI (1.7%).
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 INTF 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, INTF or VTI?
INTF has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, INTF or VTI?
Over the past year INTF returned +20.63% vs +16.08% for VTI, so INTF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), INTF annualized +6.51% vs +12.21% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, INTF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.0% for INTF. Worst drawdown: INTF -43.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both INTF and VTI?
INTF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 INTF and VTI?
1.3% of INTF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings INTF also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 470 positions we hold weights for in INTF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, INTF or VTI?
INTF yields 2.90% while VTI yields 1.03%, so INTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than INTF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. INTF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. INTF is less concentrated, with 12.6% 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.