SIZE vs VTI
iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SIZE or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | SIZE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $434M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 533 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.82% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.44% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.33% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.86% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,598 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 18, 2013 to Sep 11, 2026 (13.4 years).
SIZE 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
SIZE vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (SIZE) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SIZE returned +12.44% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SIZE is up 10.82% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, SIZE compounded at +15.33% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.86% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.98% annualized vs +10.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SIZE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -39.1% for SIZE 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SIZE charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SIZE currently yields 1.33% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 92.0% of SIZE's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of SIZE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
486 positions in common, counted across the 528 positions we hold weights for in SIZE and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 533 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SIZE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.15% | 6.32% | 6.17% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.15% | 5.84% | 5.69% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 0.18% | 3.81% | 3.63% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.16% | 3.17% | 3.01% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 0.08% | 2.88% | 2.80% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.16% | 2.46% | 2.30% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 0.06% | 2.27% | 2.21% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.20% | 1.79% | 1.59% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.12% | 1.63% | 1.51% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.18% | 1.40% | 1.22% |
92.0% of SIZE 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, SIZE or VTI?
SIZE has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SIZE or VTI?
Over the past year SIZE returned +12.44% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SIZE annualized +10.64% vs +12.98% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SIZE or VTI?
SIZE has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SIZE -39.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SIZE and VTI?
SIZE and VTI 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 SIZE and VTI?
At least 92.0% of SIZE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 486 positions in common, counted across the 528 positions we hold weights for in SIZE and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SIZE or VTI?
SIZE yields 1.33% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SIZE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SIZE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.