SCHD vs VBK
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VBK?
Large Cap Value against Small Cap Growth.
VBK has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VBK over 3Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | SCHD | VBK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $112.1B | $23.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 103 | 553 |
| YTD Return | +24.23%Best | +10.60% |
| 1Y Return | +27.90%Best | +13.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55% | +15.92%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97%Best | +3.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 18.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -38.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,083Best | $11,975 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 9.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Small Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VBK 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs VBK Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% while VBK returned +13.31%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.23% versus a gain of 10.60% for VBK.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.55% per year against +15.92% for VBK; over five years the annualized figures are +9.97% and +3.67% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.30% annualized vs +11.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 13.6% for SCHD. 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 -33.4% for SCHD and -38.8% for VBK. 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
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VBK charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.44% for VBK.
Holdings Overlap
0.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings VBK also owns. 0.8% of VBK's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026 and VBK as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 542 in VBK, against full books of 103 and 553.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 519 positions for VBK that do not appear in our book for SCHD (91.6% of the fund), and 93 for SCHD that do not appear in VBK (99.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and VBK 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, SCHD or VBK?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VBK charges 0.05%. VBK is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VBK?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% vs +13.31% for VBK, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.30% vs +11.11% for VBK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VBK?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VBK -38.8%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VBK?
SCHD and VBK 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, SCHD or VBK?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VBK yields 0.44%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VBK better than SCHD?
VBK has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VBK over 3Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.