RSP vs VBR

RSP vs VBR

Which is better, RSP or VBR?

Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Value.

VBR has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over the full window, VBR over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. RSP is less concentrated, with 3.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 5.9%.

Lower Fees: VBRHigher Returns: splitLess Concentrated: RSP

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

MetricRSPVBR
Expense Ratio0.20%0.05%Best
AUM$99.6B$37.3B
Dividend Yield1.46%1.76%
Holdings511847
YTD Return+11.24%+12.49%Best
1Y Return+14.28%+15.86%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+15.78%+16.60%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+8.70%+9.45%Best
Volatility (annualized)16.6%Best19.0%
Max Drawdown-60.9%Best-64.0%
$10,000 over 5 years$15,176$15,706Best
Top 10 Weight3.2%Best5.9%
Fund FamilyInvesco (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendSmall Cap Value
InceptionApr 24, 2003Jan 26, 2004

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 22, 2026 (22.6 years).

RSP vs VBR 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 22.6 years both funds cover.

Compare RSP against instead:RSP vs SPYRSP vs QQQRSP vs VOORSP vs VTIVBR against:VBR vs VXUS

RSP vs VBR Performance

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RSP returned +14.28% while VBR returned +15.86%. Year to date, RSP is up 11.24% versus a gain of 12.49% for VBR.

Over three years, RSP compounded at +15.78% per year against +16.60% for VBR; over five years the annualized figures are +8.70% and +9.45% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, RSP has the edge at +8.76% annualized vs +7.76%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 16.6% for RSP. 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 -60.9% for RSP and -64.0% for VBR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

RSP charges 0.20% per year while VBR charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSP currently yields 1.46% against 1.76% for VBR.

Holdings Overlap

RSP already in VBR19.8%
VBR already in RSP28.8%

19.8% of RSP's money is in holdings VBR also owns. 28.8% of VBR's money is in holdings RSP also owns.

VBR and RSP share little of their money.

The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, RSP as of Sep 1, 2026 and VBR as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

100 positions in common, counted across the 502 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 836 in VBR, against full books of 511 and 847.

What only one of them owns

Our book lists 703 positions for VBR that do not appear in our book for RSP (68.1% of the fund), and 397 for RSP that do not appear in VBR (78.8%).

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

StockWeight in RSPWeight in VBRDifference
MRNAModerna therapeutics0.58%0.53%0.05%
JBLJabil, Inc.0.16%0.87%0.71%
NRGNrg Energy0.17%0.66%0.49%
ATOAtmos Energy Corp0.19%0.61%0.42%
TPRTapestry Inc.0.17%0.63%0.46%
WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc0.21%0.59%0.38%
FFIVF5 Networks Inc.0.20%0.50%0.30%
EXEExpand Energy Corp0.21%0.47%0.26%
OMCOmnicom Group Inc.0.22%0.44%0.22%
JBHTJb Hunt Transport Services Inc.0.18%0.47%0.29%

28.8% of VBR is already inside RSP.

You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.

RSPVBR

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, RSP or VBR?

RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VBR charges 0.05%. VBR is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, RSP or VBR?

Over the past year RSP returned +14.28% vs +15.86% for VBR, so VBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), RSP annualized +8.76% vs +7.76% for VBR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, RSP or VBR?

VBR has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 16.6% for RSP. Worst drawdown: RSP -60.9% vs VBR -64.0%.

Should I hold both RSP and VBR?

RSP and VBR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 RSP and VBR?

28.8% of VBR's money is in holdings RSP also owns. 28.8% of VBR's is in holdings RSP also owns. They hold 100 positions in common, counted across the 502 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 836 in VBR.

Which pays a higher dividend, RSP or VBR?

RSP yields 1.46% while VBR yields 1.76%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VBR better than RSP?

VBR has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over the full window, VBR over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. RSP is less concentrated, with 3.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 5.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.