Vanguard Small Cap ETF (VB) is a ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VB returned +29.09% while VT returned +25.25%. Year to date, VB is up 17.82% versus a gain of 14.19% for VT.

Over three years, VB compounded at +16.24% per year against +20.36% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +8.18% and +11.17% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VB has the edge at +8.86% annualized vs +7.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -61.0% for VB and -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

VB charges 0.03% per year while VT charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VB currently yields 1.48% against 1.61% for VT.