VBR vs VTI
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VBR or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VBR led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | VBR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $37.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.76% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 847 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.86%Best | +12.08% |
| 1Y Return | +17.48%Best | +16.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.11% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.64% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,843 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.9%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 14, 2026 (22.6 years).
VBR 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
VBR vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBR returned +17.48% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, VBR is up 13.86% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, VBR compounded at +16.11% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.64% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.25% annualized vs +7.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 15.1% 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 -64.0% for VBR and -56.6% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBR charges 0.05% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $3 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VBR currently yields 1.76% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.4% of VBR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's money is in holdings VBR also owns.
Most of VBR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
818 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 847 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 700 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VBR (91.0% of the fund), and 9 for VBR that do not appear in VTI (1.2%).
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 VBR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBLJabil, Inc. | 0.87% | 0.05% | 0.82% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 0.66% | 0.04% | 0.62% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.63% | 0.04% | 0.59% |
| ATOAtmos Energy Corp | 0.61% | 0.04% | 0.57% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.59% | 0.04% | 0.55% |
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 0.53% | 0.03% | 0.50% |
| SWR:IESmurfit Westrock Plc | 0.52% | 0.03% | 0.49% |
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.50% | 0.03% | 0.47% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.48% | 0.03% | 0.45% |
| JBHTJb Hunt Transport Services Inc. | 0.47% | 0.03% | 0.44% |
97.4% of VBR 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, VBR or VTI?
VBR has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBR or VTI?
Over the past year VBR returned +17.48% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VBR annualized +7.83% vs +9.25% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBR or VTI?
VBR has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 15.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VBR -64.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VBR and VTI?
VBR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 VBR and VTI?
97.4% of VBR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's is in holdings VBR also owns. They hold 818 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBR or VTI?
VBR yields 1.76% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VBR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VBR led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.