VGK vs VTI
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VGK or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% 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 | VGK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $31.0B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,250 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +3.21% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.14% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.78% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,232 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.4%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 2005 to Oct 1, 2026 (21.6 years).
VGK 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 21.6 years both funds cover.
VGK vs VTI Performance
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGK returned +9.14% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, VGK is up 3.21% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, VGK compounded at +18.12% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.78% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.37% annualized vs +3.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 15.3% 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 -67.3% for VGK 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGK charges 0.06% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGK currently yields 2.81% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
1.2% of VGK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings VGK also owns.
VGK and VTI share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,250 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VGK (97.3% of the fund), and 5 for VGK that do not appear in VTI (1.9%).
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 VGK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.71% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.18% | 0.04% | 0.14% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.13% | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| CCCSCcc Intelligent Solutions Hold | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| MDVModiv Inc | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| CASHMeta Financial Group Inc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGK 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, VGK or VTI?
VGK has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGK or VTI?
Over the past year VGK returned +9.14% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VGK annualized +3.31% vs +9.37% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGK or VTI?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VGK -67.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VGK and VTI?
VGK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 VGK and VTI?
1.2% of VGK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings VGK also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGK or VTI?
VGK yields 2.81% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VGK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% 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.