VGT vs VTI
Vanguard Information Technology ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VGT or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VGT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.4%.
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 | VGT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $160.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 324 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +29.72%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +33.84%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.58%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.77%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.8%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,646Best | $17,908 |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | 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 18, 2026 (22.6 years).
VGT 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.
VGT vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGT returned +33.84% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, VGT is up 29.72% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, VGT compounded at +32.58% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +19.77% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VGT has the edge at +14.32% annualized vs +9.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% 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 -54.8% for VGT 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGT charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGT currently yields 0.36% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.2% of VGT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 33.8% of VTI's money is in holdings VGT also owns.
Most of VGT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
309 positions in common, counted across the 316 positions we hold weights for in VGT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 324 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 976 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VGT (63.7% of the fund), and 5 for VGT that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
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 VGT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 17.16% | 6.40% | 10.76% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 16.25% | 6.29% | 9.96% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 10.96% | 4.79% | 6.17% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.21% | 2.56% | 1.65% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.82% | 1.29% | 2.53% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.18% | 1.08% | 2.10% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.91% | 0.57% | 1.34% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.69% | 0.56% | 1.13% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 1.65% | 0.50% | 1.15% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.54% | 0.51% | 1.03% |
99.2% of VGT 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, VGT or VTI?
VGT has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGT or VTI?
Over the past year VGT returned +33.84% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VGT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VGT annualized +14.32% vs +9.26% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGT or VTI?
VGT has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VGT -54.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VGT and VTI?
VGT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 VGT and VTI?
99.2% of VGT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 33.8% of VTI's is in holdings VGT also owns. They hold 309 positions in common, counted across the 316 positions we hold weights for in VGT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGT or VTI?
VGT yields 0.36% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VGT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VGT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.