TBFG vs VTI
The Brinsmere Fund - Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TBFG or VTI?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | TBFG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.36% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 25 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.07% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.94% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $13,913 | $16,601Best |
| Fund Family | Brinsmere Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 12, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 16, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.7 years).
TBFG 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
TBFG vs VTI Performance
The Brinsmere Fund - Growth ETF (TBFG) is an ETF from Brinsmere Fund and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TBFG returned +14.94% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, TBFG is up 10.07% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 9.2% for TBFG. 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 -14.2% for TBFG and -19.3% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TBFG charges 0.46% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $3 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TBFG currently yields 2.36% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in TBFG and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 100.0% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, TBFG as of Aug 17, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in TBFG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 25 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TBFG 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, TBFG or VTI?
TBFG has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TBFG or VTI?
Over the past year TBFG returned +14.94% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TBFG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 9.2% for TBFG. Worst drawdown: TBFG -14.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both TBFG and VTI?
TBFG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, TBFG or VTI?
TBFG yields 2.36% while VTI yields 1.03%, so TBFG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TBFG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.