VEA vs VONG
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF vs Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF
Which is better, VEA or VONG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VEA has a lower expense ratio. VEA led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y 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 | VEA | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $230.3B | $51.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 3,886 | 373 |
| YTD Return | +16.03%Best | +4.11% |
| 1Y Return | +26.20%Best | +8.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.71% | +21.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.98% | +11.79%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -32.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,090 | $17,459Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2007 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 9, 2026 (16 years).
VEA vs VONG 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 16 years both funds cover.
VEA vs VONG Performance
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEA returned +26.20% while VONG returned +8.69%. Year to date, VEA is up 16.03% versus a gain of 4.11% for VONG.
Over three years, VEA compounded at +20.71% per year against +21.05% for VONG; over five years the annualized figures are +9.98% and +11.79% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.58% annualized vs +5.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VONG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.4% for VEA. 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 -39.9% for VEA and -32.7% for VONG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VEA charges 0.03% per year while VONG 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, VEA currently yields 2.49% against 0.46% for VONG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VONG's money is in holdings VEA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VEA, our book for it covers 94.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
4 positions in common, counted across the 3,744 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 371 in VONG, against full books of 3,886 and 373.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VEA and VONG 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, VEA or VONG?
VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VONG charges 0.06%. VEA is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VEA or VONG?
Over the past year VEA returned +26.20% vs +8.69% for VONG, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VEA annualized +5.94% vs +15.58% for VONG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEA or VONG?
VONG has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.4% for VEA. Worst drawdown: VEA -39.9% vs VONG -32.7%.
Should I hold both VEA and VONG?
VEA and VONG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, VEA or VONG?
VEA yields 2.49% while VONG yields 0.46%, so VEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VONG better than VEA?
VEA has a lower expense ratio. VEA led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.