ROBT vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ROBT or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBT is less concentrated, with 19.1% 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 | ROBT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $769M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 244 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +13.76%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +11.37% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.45% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.45% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.4% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,287 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.1%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2018 to Oct 1, 2026 (8.6 years).
ROBT 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
ROBT vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) 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 ROBT returned +11.37% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, ROBT is up 13.76% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, ROBT compounded at +14.45% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.45% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.29% annualized vs +8.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.4% compared with 16.8% 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 -44.5% for ROBT 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBT charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBT currently yields 0.02% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
66.1% of ROBT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 38.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ROBT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ROBT 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.
69 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 244 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,096 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ROBT (59.1% of the fund), and 6 for ROBT that do not appear in VTI (5.4%).
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 ROBT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.79% | 6.40% | 5.61% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.43% | 6.29% | 5.86% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.83% | 4.79% | 3.96% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.71% | 3.65% | 2.94% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.67% | 2.90% | 2.23% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.51% | 1.70% | 0.19% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.61% | 2.56% | 1.95% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 1.78% | 0.38% | 1.40% |
| APPNAppian Corp | 2.15% | 0.00% | 2.15% |
| CCCSCcc Intelligent Solutions Hold | 2.15% | 0.00% | 2.15% |
66.1% of ROBT 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, ROBT or VTI?
ROBT has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBT or VTI?
Over the past year ROBT returned +11.37% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), ROBT annualized +8.48% vs +13.29% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBT or VTI?
ROBT has been the more volatile fund at 23.4% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ROBT -44.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ROBT and VTI?
ROBT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 ROBT and VTI?
66.1% of ROBT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 38.3% of VTI's is in holdings ROBT also owns. They hold 69 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBT or VTI?
ROBT yields 0.02% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ROBT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBT is less concentrated, with 19.1% 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.