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.
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 | $332M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 503 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +24.20%Best | +12.34% |
| 1Y Return | +25.73%Best | +18.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.72% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.21% | +11.68%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,535 | $17,373Best |
| Fund Family | Inspire ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2017 to Sep 9, 2026 (9.5 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 9.5 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 +25.73% while VTI returned +18.37%. Year to date, ISMD is up 24.20% versus a gain of 12.34% for VTI.
Over three years, ISMD compounded at +16.72% per year against +20.62% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.21% and +11.68% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.45% annualized vs +8.85%.
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 16.1% 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 -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
At least 72.3% of ISMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% 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 ISMD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ISMD as of Aug 17, 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.
366 positions in common, counted across the 481 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 503 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISMD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTZUtz Brands, Inc. | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.36% |
| VREXVarex Imaging Corp | 0.35% | 0.00% | 0.35% |
| PLSEPulse Biosciences Inc | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.33% |
| EMBCEmbecta | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| TASKTaskus Inc-A | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| AEHRAehr Test Systems | 0.30% | 0.00% | 0.30% |
| BLKBBlackbaud Inc | 0.29% | 0.00% | 0.29% |
| FWRDForward Air Corp | 0.29% | 0.00% | 0.29% |
| KRTKarat Packaging Inc | 0.28% | 0.00% | 0.28% |
| TNDMTandem Diabetes Care, Inc. | 0.28% | 0.00% | 0.28% |
72.3% 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 +25.73% vs +18.37% for VTI, so ISMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ISMD annualized +8.85% vs +13.45% 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 16.1% 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?
At least 72.3% of ISMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 366 positions in common, counted across the 481 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 2,787 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. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.