KONG vs VTI
Formidable Fortress ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, KONG or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%.
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 | KONG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $23M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.34% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 106 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +8.28% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.74% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.40% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.17% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.0%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,137 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Formidable Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 21, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 22, 2021 to Oct 2, 2026 (5.2 years).
KONG 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
KONG vs VTI Performance
Formidable Fortress ETF (KONG) is an ETF from Formidable Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KONG returned +7.74% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, KONG is up 8.28% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, KONG compounded at +10.40% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.17% and +12.83% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 12.2% for KONG. 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 -20.0% for KONG and -25.4% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KONG charges 0.89% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $3 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KONG currently yields 0.34% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.5% of KONG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 17.7% of VTI's money is in holdings KONG also owns.
Most of KONG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, KONG 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.
33 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in KONG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 106 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,117 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for KONG (79.7% of the fund), and 1 for KONG that do not appear in VTI (2.5%).
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 KONG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.30% | 4.79% | 1.51% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.89% | 6.40% | 2.51% |
| NOWServicenow, Inc | 6.66% | 0.16% | 6.50% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.73% | 2.31% | 0.42% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.07% | 1.70% | 1.37% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 4.26% | 0.08% | 4.18% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 4.19% | 0.05% | 4.14% |
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 4.03% | 0.03% | 4.00% |
| TPLTexas Pacific Land Trust | 3.76% | 0.03% | 3.73% |
| IBKRInteractive Brokers Group Inc | 3.63% | 0.05% | 3.58% |
98.5% of KONG 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, KONG or VTI?
KONG has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KONG or VTI?
Over the past year KONG returned +7.74% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KONG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 12.2% for KONG. Worst drawdown: KONG -20.0% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both KONG and VTI?
KONG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 KONG and VTI?
98.5% of KONG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 17.7% of VTI's is in holdings KONG also owns. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in KONG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, KONG or VTI?
KONG yields 0.34% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than KONG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.