PFDE vs VTI

PFDE vs VTI

Which is better, PFDE or VTI?

VTI costs less.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.6%.

Lower Fees: VTILess Concentrated: VTI

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

MetricPFDEVTI
Expense Ratio0.59%0.03%Best
AUM$164M$666.9B
Dividend Yield0.18%1.03%
Holdings863,543
YTD Return+13.61%Best+12.30%
1Y Return-+16.08%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.01%
5Y Return (annualized)-+12.36%
Top 10 Weight43.6%33.3%Best
Fund FamilyPathfinder ETFsVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionDec 31, 2025May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.

PFDE 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 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.

PFDE vs VTI Performance

Pathfinder Disciplined US Equity ETF (PFDE) is an ETF from Pathfinder ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, PFDE is up 13.61% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Fees and Cost Over Time

PFDE charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFDE currently yields 0.18% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

PFDE already in VTI99.3%
VTI already in PFDE49.0%

99.3% of PFDE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 49.0% of VTI's money is in holdings PFDE also owns.

Most of PFDE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

86 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in PFDE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 86 and 3,543.

What only one of them owns

Measured across the 88 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.

VTI holds 1,064 positions PFDE does not, 48.4% of the fund.

Largest: META 1.70%, BRK.B 1.28%, XOM 0.89%, V 0.83%, WMT 0.68%

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in PFDEWeight in VTIDifference
NVDANvidia Corp10.18%6.40%3.78%
AAPLApple, Inc6.25%6.29%0.04%
MSFTMicrosoft Corp5.04%4.79%0.25%
AMZNAmazon.Com Inc5.31%3.65%1.66%
AVGOBroadcom Inc3.54%2.56%0.98%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A3.00%2.90%0.10%
GOOGAlphabet Inc2.25%2.31%0.06%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.3.13%1.29%1.84%
JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common2.36%0.86%1.50%
MAMastercard Inc2.50%0.63%1.87%

99.3% of PFDE 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.

PFDEVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, PFDE or VTI?

PFDE has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.

What is the holdings overlap between PFDE and VTI?

99.3% of PFDE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 49.0% of VTI's is in holdings PFDE also owns. They hold 86 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in PFDE and 3,463 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, PFDE or VTI?

PFDE yields 0.18% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than PFDE?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.