QTEC vs VTI
First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QTEC or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QTEC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QTEC is less concentrated, with 26.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | QTEC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 96 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +45.15%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +43.80%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +33.09%Best | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.01%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.3% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,934Best | $18,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 25, 2006 to Oct 2, 2026 (20.4 years).
QTEC 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
QTEC vs VTI Performance
First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QTEC returned +43.80% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, QTEC is up 45.15% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, QTEC compounded at +33.09% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +17.01% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QTEC has the edge at +14.96% annualized vs +9.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QTEC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.3% compared with 15.6% 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 -58.9% for QTEC and -56.6% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QTEC charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QTEC currently yields 0.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
82.7% of QTEC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.3% of VTI's money is in holdings QTEC also owns.
Most of QTEC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, QTEC 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.
39 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in QTEC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 96 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,110 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for QTEC (62.1% of the fund), and 3 for QTEC that do not appear in VTI (7.6%).
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 QTEC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.37% | 6.40% | 4.03% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.40% | 6.29% | 3.89% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.51% | 4.79% | 2.28% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.85% | 2.56% | 0.71% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.34% | 1.70% | 0.64% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.00% | 2.90% | 1.90% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.31% | 1.29% | 1.02% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.24% | 1.08% | 1.16% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.01% | 2.31% | 1.30% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.75% | 0.38% | 2.37% |
82.7% of QTEC 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, QTEC or VTI?
QTEC has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QTEC or VTI?
Over the past year QTEC returned +43.80% vs +15.92% for VTI, so QTEC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QTEC annualized +14.96% vs +9.41% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QTEC or VTI?
QTEC has been the more volatile fund at 22.3% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: QTEC -58.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both QTEC and VTI?
QTEC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 QTEC and VTI?
82.7% of QTEC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.3% of VTI's is in holdings QTEC also owns. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in QTEC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QTEC or VTI?
QTEC yields 0.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QTEC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QTEC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QTEC is less concentrated, with 26.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.