OTAX vs VXUS
Optimal Tax Managed Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, OTAX or VXUS?
VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | OTAX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 207 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +0.79% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +18.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.67% |
| Fund Family | Optimal Tax Asset Management, Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2026 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
OTAX vs VXUS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
OTAX vs VXUS Performance
Optimal Tax Managed Equity ETF (OTAX) is an ETF from Optimal Tax Asset Management, Inc. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, OTAX is up 0.79% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
OTAX charges 0.58% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $5 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, OTAX currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of OTAX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
OTAX and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, OTAX as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
8 positions in common, counted across the 207 positions we hold weights for in OTAX and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 207 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in OTAX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 0.21% | 0.27% | 0.06% |
| MFC:CAManulife Financial Corporation | 0.30% | 0.17% | 0.13% |
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc. Cl A | 0.00% | 0.32% | 0.32% |
| ASX:TWAse Technology Holding Co., Ltd. American Depositary Shares (Each Representing Two Common Shares) | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| KB:KRKb Financial Group Inc. Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
| FAB:AEFirst Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC | 0.14% | 0.05% | 0.09% |
| ARGX:ASArgenx Se Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.01% | 0.12% | 0.11% |
| ITUB:BVItau Unibanco H-Spon Prf Adr | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of OTAX and VXUS 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, OTAX or VXUS?
OTAX has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between OTAX and VXUS?
At least 1.1% of OTAX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 207 positions we hold weights for in OTAX and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, OTAX or VXUS?
OTAX yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than OTAX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.