RB vs VTI
ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Buffer ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RB or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | RB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.27% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,963 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.85% | +12.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.49% | +18.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.2%Best | 11.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.1%Best | -8.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,663 | $12,610Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 9, 2026 (1.2 years).
RB 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
RB vs VTI Performance
ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Buffer ETF (RB) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RB returned +14.49% while VTI returned +18.37%. Year to date, RB is up 6.85% versus a gain of 12.34% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 3.2% for RB. 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 -2.1% for RB and -8.9% 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 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RB charges 0.58% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $3 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RB currently yields 2.27% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,949 holdings in RB and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 86.4% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1,401 positions appear in both.
1,401 positions in common, counted across the 1,949 positions we hold weights for in RB and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,963 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSPRMoog Inc | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.31% |
| BTSGBrightspring Health Services Inc | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| CYTKCytokinetics Inc | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.29% | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| ESEEsco Technologies Inc | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
| KRYSKrystal Biotech Inc | 0.26% | 0.01% | 0.25% |
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc | 0.25% | 0.01% | 0.24% |
| ONBOld National Bancorp/In Common Stock | 0.25% | 0.01% | 0.24% |
| FCFSFirstcash Holdings Inc. | 0.25% | 0.01% | 0.24% |
| GKOSGlaukos Corp. | 0.24% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RB and VTI 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, RB or VTI?
RB has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RB or VTI?
Over the past year RB returned +14.49% vs +18.37% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), RB annualized +13.68% vs +21.32% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 3.2% for RB. Worst drawdown: RB -2.1% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both RB and VTI?
RB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RB or VTI?
RB yields 2.27% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.