ISMD vs VTI
Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ISMD or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ISMD led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISMD is less concentrated, with 8.5% 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 | ISMD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 598 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +21.17%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +21.88%Best | +15.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.52% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.45% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,002 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Inspire ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2017 to Oct 1, 2026 (9.6 years).
ISMD 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
ISMD vs VTI Performance
Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF (ISMD) is an ETF from Inspire ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISMD returned +21.88% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, ISMD is up 21.17% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, ISMD compounded at +17.52% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.45% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs +8.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 16.0% 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 -45.5% for ISMD 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISMD charges 0.53% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $3 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISMD currently yields 1.13% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
66.7% of ISMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 5.9% of VTI's money is in holdings ISMD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ISMD 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.
147 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 598 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,010 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ISMD (91.6% of the fund), and 1 for ISMD that do not appear in VTI (0.3%).
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 ISMD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 1.36% | 0.03% | 1.33% |
| WBDWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc | 1.04% | 0.09% | 0.95% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 0.92% | 0.08% | 0.84% |
| CVNACarvana Co | 0.75% | 0.06% | 0.69% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 0.74% | 0.07% | 0.67% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 0.74% | 0.07% | 0.67% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.78% | 0.02% | 0.76% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.77% | 0.03% | 0.74% |
| GRMNGarminltd. | 0.73% | 0.07% | 0.66% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 0.70% | 0.08% | 0.62% |
66.7% of ISMD 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, ISMD or VTI?
ISMD has an expense ratio of 0.53% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISMD or VTI?
Over the past year ISMD returned +21.88% vs +15.23% for VTI, so ISMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ISMD annualized +8.52% vs +13.38% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISMD or VTI?
ISMD has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ISMD -45.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ISMD and VTI?
ISMD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 ISMD and VTI?
66.7% of ISMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 5.9% of VTI's is in holdings ISMD also owns. They hold 147 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISMD or VTI?
ISMD yields 1.13% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ISMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ISMD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ISMD led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISMD is less concentrated, with 8.5% 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.