RODE vs VTI
Hartford Multifactor Diversified International ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RODE or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
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 | RODE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 317 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 8.1 years | $14,395 | $25,572Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 10, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 444 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. RODE has data through Jun 23, 2025 and VTI through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 8.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2017 to Jun 23, 2025 (8.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.4% for RODE. 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 -36.7% for RODE 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RODE charges 0.29% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $3 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RODE currently yields 6.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RODE 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, RODE or VTI?
RODE has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, RODE or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.4% for RODE. Worst drawdown: RODE -36.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both RODE and VTI?
RODE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, RODE or VTI?
RODE yields 6.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RODE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RODE?
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.