VIG vs VTI
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VIG or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%.
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 | VIG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $112.7B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 336 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.68% | +14.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.04% | +16.83%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.15% | +22.56%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.92% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.2%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,790 | $18,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 21, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2006 to Oct 9, 2026 (20.5 years).
VIG 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 20.5 years both funds cover.
VIG vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VIG returned +12.04% while VTI returned +16.83%. Year to date, VIG is up 9.68% versus a gain of 14.54% for VTI.
Over three years, VIG compounded at +17.15% per year against +22.56% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.92% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.44% annualized vs +8.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.3% for VIG. 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 -48.2% for VIG 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VIG charges 0.04% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $3 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VIG currently yields 1.48% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.1% of VIG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 41.0% of VTI's money is in holdings VIG also owns.
Most of VIG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
318 positions in common, counted across the 322 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 336 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 905 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VIG (56.5% of the fund), and 3 for VIG that do not appear in VTI (0.4%).
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 VIG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.45% | 6.29% | 1.84% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.34% | 4.79% | 0.45% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.63% | 2.56% | 2.07% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.07% | 1.31% | 2.76% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.93% | 1.35% | 2.58% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.78% | 0.89% | 1.89% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.67% | 0.86% | 1.81% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.45% | 0.83% | 1.62% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.11% | 0.68% | 1.43% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.00% | 0.63% | 1.37% |
99.1% of VIG 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, VIG or VTI?
VIG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VIG or VTI?
Over the past year VIG returned +12.04% vs +16.83% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), VIG annualized +8.50% vs +9.44% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VIG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: VIG -48.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VIG and VTI?
VIG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VIG and VTI?
99.1% of VIG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 41.0% of VTI's is in holdings VIG also owns. They hold 318 positions in common, counted across the 322 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VIG or VTI?
VIG yields 1.48% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VIG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.