SCHG vs VUG
Schwab US Large-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, SCHG or VUG?
Nearly the same fund. VUG costs less.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. SCHG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. SCHG is less concentrated, with 51.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.6%.
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 | SCHG | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $62.4B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.37% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 196 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +7.97%Best | +7.68% |
| 1Y Return | +10.87%Best | +10.16% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.48%Best | +23.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | +11.92% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 16.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.6%Best | -35.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $17,561 |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.0%Best | 63.6% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2009 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 11, 2009 to Sep 15, 2026 (16.8 years).
SCHG vs VUG 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 16.8 years both funds cover.
SCHG vs VUG Performance
Schwab US Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHG returned +10.87% while VUG returned +10.16%. Year to date, SCHG is up 7.97% versus a gain of 7.68% for VUG.
Over three years, SCHG compounded at +23.48% per year against +23.26% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and +11.92% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SCHG has the edge at +15.59% annualized vs +14.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 16.7% for SCHG. 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 -34.6% for SCHG and -35.6% for VUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHG charges 0.04% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $3 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHG currently yields 0.37% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
83.9% of SCHG's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 86.1% of VUG's money is in holdings SCHG also owns.
Most of VUG is already inside SCHG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
90 positions in common, counted across the 193 positions we hold weights for in SCHG and 147 in VUG, against full books of 196 and 146.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 56 positions for VUG that do not appear in our book for SCHG (13.7% of the fund), and 97 for SCHG that do not appear in VUG (15.3%).
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 SCHG | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 10.67% | 12.81% | 2.14% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 9.29% | 12.59% | 3.30% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.52% | 9.59% | 2.07% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.07% | 5.15% | 0.08% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.97% | 5.80% | 1.83% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.50% | 4.46% | 0.96% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.16% | 4.62% | 1.46% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.51% | 3.41% | 0.90% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.93% | 2.72% | 0.21% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.37% | 2.44% | 0.07% |
86.1% of VUG is already inside SCHG.
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, SCHG or VUG?
SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VUG charges 0.03%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHG or VUG?
Over the past year SCHG returned +10.87% vs +10.16% for VUG, so SCHG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHG annualized +15.59% vs +14.94% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHG or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 16.7% for SCHG. Worst drawdown: SCHG -34.6% vs VUG -35.6%.
Should I hold both SCHG and VUG?
SCHG and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 SCHG and VUG?
86.1% of VUG's money is in holdings SCHG also owns. 86.1% of VUG's is in holdings SCHG also owns. They hold 90 positions in common, counted across the 193 positions we hold weights for in SCHG and 147 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHG or VUG?
SCHG yields 0.37% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VUG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than SCHG?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. SCHG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. SCHG is less concentrated, with 51.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.