MOTO vs VTI
Guinness Atkinson Smart Transportation & Technology ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MOTO or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MOTO led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%.
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 | MOTO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 76 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +15.18%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +21.63%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.85% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.84% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,274 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2019 to Oct 2, 2026 (6.9 years).
MOTO 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
MOTO vs VTI Performance
Guinness Atkinson Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) is an ETF from SmartETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MOTO returned +21.63% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, MOTO is up 15.18% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, MOTO compounded at +18.85% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.84% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, MOTO has the edge at +15.47% annualized vs +14.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MOTO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 17.2% 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 -38.2% for MOTO 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOTO charges 0.68% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $3 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOTO currently yields 0.91% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
47.4% of MOTO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 10.9% of VTI's money is in holdings MOTO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, MOTO 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.
16 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in MOTO and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 76 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,138 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MOTO (86.5% of the fund), and 3 for MOTO that do not appear in VTI (6.4%).
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 MOTO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.46% | 6.40% | 1.94% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 4.15% | 2.31% | 1.84% |
| PWRQuanta Services Inc | 5.02% | 0.14% | 4.88% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 4.48% | 0.27% | 4.21% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 4.10% | 0.25% | 3.85% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.92% | 1.22% | 1.70% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 3.85% | 0.22% | 3.63% |
| DANDana Inc | 3.47% | 0.00% | 3.47% |
| STSensata Technologies Holding Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.80% | 0.01% | 2.79% |
| DARDarling Ingredients, Inc. | 2.69% | 0.01% | 2.68% |
47.4% of MOTO 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, MOTO or VTI?
MOTO has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOTO or VTI?
Over the past year MOTO returned +21.63% vs +15.92% for VTI, so MOTO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), MOTO annualized +15.47% vs +14.77% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOTO or VTI?
MOTO has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 17.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MOTO -38.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MOTO and VTI?
MOTO 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 MOTO and VTI?
47.4% of MOTO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 10.9% of VTI's is in holdings MOTO also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in MOTO and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOTO or VTI?
MOTO yields 0.91% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MOTO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MOTO led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.