QQQ vs VXF
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VXF?
Large Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
VXF has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | QQQ | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $498.6B | $31.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 321 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +24.32%Best | +12.97% |
| 1Y Return | +25.59%Best | +12.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.30%Best | +20.07% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.83%Best | +6.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 18.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,766Best | $13,759 |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 6.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2002 to Oct 6, 2026 (24.8 years).
QQQ vs VXF 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 24.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VXF Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +25.59% while VXF returned +12.65%. Year to date, QQQ is up 24.32% versus a gain of 12.97% for VXF.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.30% per year against +20.07% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +16.83% and +6.59% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +12.60% annualized vs +8.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 18.7% for VXF. 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 -53.5% for QQQ and -59.4% for VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $5 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
0.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings VXF also owns. 1.8% of VXF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
VXF and QQQ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXF as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 3,278 in VXF, against full books of 321 and 3,385.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,717 positions for VXF that do not appear in our book for QQQ (90.4% of the fund), and 91 for QQQ that do not appear in VXF (96.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and VXF 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, QQQ or VXF?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VXF charges 0.05%. VXF is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VXF?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.59% vs +12.65% for VXF, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), QQQ annualized +12.60% vs +8.85% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VXF?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 18.7% for VXF. Worst drawdown: QQQ -53.5% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VXF?
QQQ and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 QQQ and VXF?
1.8% of VXF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of VXF's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 3,278 in VXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VXF?
QQQ yields 0.42% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VXF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than QQQ?
VXF has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.