VGSH vs VTI
Vanguard Short Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VGSH or VTI?
Short 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 | VGSH | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $34.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 94 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +0.70% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.92% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.16% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.86% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.4%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,965 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short 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 23, 2009 to Sep 10, 2026 (16.8 years).
VGSH 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VGSH vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Short Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGSH returned +1.92% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, VGSH is up 0.70% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, VGSH compounded at +4.16% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.86% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.50% annualized vs +0.71%.
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 1.4% for VGSH. 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 -6.7% for VGSH 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 0.00. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGSH charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VGSH currently yields 3.82% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 16 holdings in VGSH and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 15.5% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 16 positions we hold weights for in VGSH and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 94 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGSH 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, VGSH or VTI?
VGSH 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, VGSH or VTI?
Over the past year VGSH returned +1.92% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VGSH annualized +0.71% vs +12.50% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGSH or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 1.4% for VGSH. Worst drawdown: VGSH -6.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VGSH and VTI?
VGSH and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.00, 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, VGSH or VTI?
VGSH yields 3.82% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VGSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VGSH?
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.