SLV vs VTI
iShares Silver Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SLV or VTI?
Silver against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 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 | SLV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $32.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -8.85% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +57.75%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +41.27%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.85%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.5% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,139Best | $17,908 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 21, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.4 years).
SLV 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
SLV vs VTI Performance
iShares Silver Trust (SLV) 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 SLV returned +57.75% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, SLV is down 8.85% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, SLV compounded at +41.27% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +23.85% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.35% annualized vs +7.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.5% compared with 15.7% 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 -76.3% for SLV and -56.6% 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 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLV charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLV currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLV 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, SLV or VTI?
SLV has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLV or VTI?
Over the past year SLV returned +57.75% vs +16.08% for VTI, so SLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SLV annualized +7.46% vs +9.35% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLV or VTI?
SLV has been the more volatile fund at 32.5% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SLV -76.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both SLV and VTI?
SLV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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, SLV or VTI?
SLV yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SLV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.