UPAR vs VTI
UPAR Ultra Risk Parity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UPAR or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | UPAR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.43% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 140 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +7.39% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.17% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.82% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -25.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,652 | $16,743Best |
| Fund Family | Rpar ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (4.7 years).
UPAR 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
UPAR vs VTI Performance
UPAR Ultra Risk Parity ETF (UPAR) is an ETF from Rpar ETF and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPAR returned +17.17% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, UPAR is up 7.39% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, UPAR compounded at +11.82% per year against +20.95% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 15.8% 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 -39.0% for UPAR and -25.2% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPAR charges 0.68% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $3 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UPAR currently yields 3.43% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 129 holdings in UPAR and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 48.6% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 34 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 61 days apart, UPAR as of Apr 30, 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.
34 positions in common, counted across the 129 positions we hold weights for in UPAR and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 140 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UPAR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.01% | 0.78% | 1.23% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 1.64% | 0.22% | 1.42% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.18% | 0.43% | 0.75% |
| CTVACorteva Inc Ctva | 0.54% | 0.08% | 0.46% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 0.50% | 0.12% | 0.38% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.45% | 0.17% | 0.28% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 0.23% | 0.10% | 0.13% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.24% | 0.09% | 0.15% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 0.26% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 0.18% | 0.07% | 0.11% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UPAR 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, UPAR or VTI?
UPAR has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPAR or VTI?
Over the past year UPAR returned +17.17% vs +20.00% 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, UPAR or VTI?
UPAR has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UPAR -39.0% vs VTI -25.2%.
Should I hold both UPAR and VTI?
UPAR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, UPAR or VTI?
UPAR yields 3.43% while VTI yields 1.07%, so UPAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UPAR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.