SCHA vs VTI
Schwab US Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SCHA or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SCHA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. SCHA is less concentrated, with 9.1% 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 | SCHA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $22.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,710 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.58%Best | +12.43% |
| 1Y Return | +18.94%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.14% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.72% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,843 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2009 to Sep 28, 2026 (16.9 years).
SCHA 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 16.9 years both funds cover.
SCHA vs VTI Performance
Schwab US Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHA returned +18.94% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, SCHA is up 14.58% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, SCHA compounded at +18.14% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.72% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.83% annualized vs +10.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 14.8% 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 -43.0% for SCHA 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHA charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SCHA currently yields 1.05% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.5% of SCHA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 5.0% of VTI's money is in holdings SCHA also owns.
Most of SCHA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,644 positions in common, counted across the 1,705 positions we hold weights for in SCHA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,710 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 718 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SCHA (92.5% of the fund), and 33 for SCHA that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 SCHA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 4.12% | 0.25% | 3.87% |
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 1.32% | 0.08% | 1.24% |
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 0.81% | 0.05% | 0.76% |
| ATIAti Inc | 0.58% | 0.04% | 0.54% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.45% | 0.03% | 0.42% |
| MKSIMks Instruments Inc | 0.44% | 0.03% | 0.41% |
| CDECoeur Mining Inc | 0.37% | 0.02% | 0.35% |
| MTSIMacom Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. | 0.36% | 0.02% | 0.34% |
| STRLSterling Construction Company Inc | 0.34% | 0.02% | 0.32% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.31% |
97.5% of SCHA 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, SCHA or VTI?
SCHA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SCHA or VTI?
Over the past year SCHA returned +18.94% vs +15.92% for VTI, so SCHA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHA annualized +10.91% vs +12.83% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHA or VTI?
SCHA has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SCHA -43.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SCHA and VTI?
SCHA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 SCHA and VTI?
97.5% of SCHA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 5.0% of VTI's is in holdings SCHA also owns. They hold 1,644 positions in common, counted across the 1,705 positions we hold weights for in SCHA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHA or VTI?
SCHA yields 1.05% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SCHA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SCHA?
SCHA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. SCHA is less concentrated, with 9.1% 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.