USPX vs VTI
Franklin US Equity Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USPX or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
USPX led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | USPX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $2.0B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 487 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +12.42% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.03% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.91%Best | +22.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.10%Best | +12.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.2%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,506Best | $17,869 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 1, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 3, 2016 to Oct 1, 2026 (10.3 years).
USPX 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
USPX vs VTI Performance
Franklin US Equity Index ETF (USPX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USPX returned +15.03% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, USPX is up 12.42% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, USPX compounded at +22.91% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.10% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.71% annualized vs +10.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.9% for USPX. 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 -31.2% for USPX and -35.0% 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USPX charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, USPX currently yields 1.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.0% of USPX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 88.2% of VTI's money is in holdings USPX also owns.
Most of USPX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, USPX as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
452 positions in common, counted across the 477 positions we hold weights for in USPX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 487 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 708 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for USPX (9.7% of the fund), and 8 for USPX that do not appear in VTI (0.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USPX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.78% | 6.40% | 1.38% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.41% | 6.29% | 1.12% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.59% | 4.79% | 0.80% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.83% | 3.65% | 0.18% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.01% | 2.90% | 0.11% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.56% | 2.56% | 0.00% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.40% | 2.31% | 0.09% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.15% | 1.70% | 0.45% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.66% | 1.29% | 0.37% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.56% | 1.22% | 0.34% |
99.0% of USPX is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, USPX or VTI?
USPX has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, USPX or VTI?
Over the past year USPX returned +15.03% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), USPX annualized +10.74% vs +13.71% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USPX or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.9% for USPX. Worst drawdown: USPX -31.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both USPX and VTI?
USPX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between USPX and VTI?
99.0% of USPX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 88.2% of VTI's is in holdings USPX also owns. They hold 452 positions in common, counted across the 477 positions we hold weights for in USPX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, USPX or VTI?
USPX yields 1.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so USPX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USPX?
USPX led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.