RFFC vs VTI
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RFFC or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RFFC led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | RFFC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 58 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.70%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +21.35%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.35%Best | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.15%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,742Best | $17,514 |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10.3 years).
RFFC 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
RFFC vs VTI Performance
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFFC returned +21.35% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, RFFC is up 13.70% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, RFFC compounded at +21.35% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.15% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.73% annualized vs +12.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFFC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.7% 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 -36.5% for RFFC and -35.0% 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFFC charges 0.48% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $48 vs $3 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFFC currently yields 0.61% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.2% of RFFC's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of RFFC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, RFFC as of Aug 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
51 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in RFFC and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 58 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RFFC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.35% | 6.32% | 0.97% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.18% | 5.84% | 0.66% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.81% | 3.81% | 2.00% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 4.67% | 2.88% | 1.79% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.69% | 3.17% | 0.52% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 3.91% | 0.84% | 3.07% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 2.50% | 1.11% | 1.39% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.44% | 0.67% | 1.77% |
| LRCXLam Research Corpcommon Stock | 2.25% | 0.74% | 1.51% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.38% | 1.40% | 0.02% |
87.2% of RFFC 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, RFFC or VTI?
RFFC has an expense ratio of 0.48% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFFC or VTI?
Over the past year RFFC returned +21.35% vs +17.22% for VTI, so RFFC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RFFC annualized +12.04% vs +13.73% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFFC or VTI?
RFFC has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RFFC -36.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both RFFC and VTI?
RFFC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RFFC and VTI?
At least 87.2% of RFFC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 51 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in RFFC and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFFC or VTI?
RFFC yields 0.61% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RFFC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RFFC led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.