VGLT vs VTI
Vanguard Long Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VGLT or VTI?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI led over 1Y, 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 | VGLT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $10.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.76% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -4.05% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.41% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +0.39% | +20.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -7.42% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -47.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,801 | $17,303Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 24, 2009 to Sep 15, 2026 (16.8 years).
VGLT 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 16.8 years both funds cover.
VGLT vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Long Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGLT returned -5.41% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, VGLT is down 4.05% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, VGLT compounded at +0.39% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -7.42% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.48% annualized vs +0.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 12.3% for VGLT. 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 -47.1% for VGLT 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 -0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGLT charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VGLT currently yields 4.76% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 94 holdings in VGLT and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 89.5% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of VGLT to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in VGLT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGLT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGLT 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, VGLT or VTI?
VGLT 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, VGLT or VTI?
Over the past year VGLT returned -5.41% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VGLT annualized +0.24% vs +12.48% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGLT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 12.3% for VGLT. Worst drawdown: VGLT -47.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VGLT and VTI?
VGLT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.08, 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, VGLT or VTI?
VGLT yields 4.76% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VGLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VGLT?
VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.