USAF vs VTI
Atlas America Fund ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USAF or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | USAF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 73 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.28% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.00% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.5%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,536 | $13,266Best |
| Fund Family | Atlas Capital Team | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 20, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).
USAF 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
USAF vs VTI Performance
Atlas America Fund ETF (USAF) is an ETF from Atlas Capital Team and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USAF returned +8.00% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, USAF is up 5.28% versus a gain of 13.59% 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 12.8% compared with 4.6% for USAF. 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 -4.5% for USAF 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 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USAF charges 0.89% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $3 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USAF currently yields 2.42% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 11.9% of USAF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
USAF and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, USAF as of Aug 18, 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.
32 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in USAF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 73 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USAF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 1.46% | 0.09% | 1.37% |
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 1.33% | 0.22% | 1.11% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 1.39% | 0.14% | 1.25% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 1.27% | 0.08% | 1.19% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 1.25% | 0.10% | 1.15% |
| EQREquity Residential (eqr) | 1.10% | 0.03% | 1.07% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 0.67% | 0.05% | 0.62% |
| ESSEssex Property | 0.45% | 0.03% | 0.42% |
| SBACSba Communications Corp. Class A Real Estate Investment Tru | 0.39% | 0.03% | 0.36% |
| WPCW.P Carey Inc. | 0.36% | 0.02% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USAF 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, USAF or VTI?
USAF has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USAF or VTI?
Over the past year USAF returned +8.00% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), USAF annualized +8.26% vs +17.00% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USAF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 4.6% for USAF. Worst drawdown: USAF -4.5% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both USAF and VTI?
USAF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between USAF and VTI?
At least 11.9% of USAF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in USAF and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, USAF or VTI?
USAF yields 2.42% while VTI yields 1.07%, so USAF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USAF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.