UNG vs VTI
United States Natural Gas Fund LP vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UNG or VTI?
Energy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and 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 | UNG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.17% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $565M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 7 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -15.51% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | -20.89% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -27.61% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -31.87% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 46.9% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,468 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2007 | 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, 2007 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.4 years).
UNG 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
UNG vs VTI Performance
United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UNG returned -20.89% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, UNG is down 15.51% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, UNG compounded at -27.61% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -31.87% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.18% annualized vs -28.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UNG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 46.9% compared with 16.0% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UNG charges 1.17% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $117 vs $3 annually, a gap of $114 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UNG currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UNG and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 17.9% 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 50 days apart, UNG as of Aug 19, 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 1 positions we hold weights for in UNG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 7 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UNG 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, UNG or VTI?
UNG has an expense ratio of 1.17% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $114 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UNG or VTI?
Over the past year UNG returned -20.89% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), UNG annualized -28.32% vs +9.18% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UNG or VTI?
UNG has been the more volatile fund at 46.9% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI.
Should I hold both UNG and VTI?
UNG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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, UNG or VTI?
UNG yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UNG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.