SBND vs VTI
Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SBND or VTI?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | SBND | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $198M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.56% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,174 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +0.78% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.95% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.70% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.24% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.0%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.8%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,171 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5 years).
SBND 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 5 years both funds cover.
SBND vs VTI Performance
Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SBND returned +1.95% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SBND is up 0.78% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, SBND compounded at +5.70% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.24% and +11.86% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 4.0% for SBND. 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 -10.8% for SBND and -25.4% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SBND charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SBND currently yields 4.56% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 824 holdings in SBND and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 69.8% 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 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, SBND as of Aug 17, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 824 positions we hold weights for in SBND and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,174 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SBND | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| THCTenet Healthcare Corporation 6.13 06/15/2030 | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SBND 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, SBND or VTI?
SBND has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SBND or VTI?
Over the past year SBND returned +1.95% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SBND or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 4.0% for SBND. Worst drawdown: SBND -10.8% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both SBND and VTI?
SBND and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, SBND or VTI?
SBND yields 4.56% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SBND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SBND?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.