VONG vs VUG
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, VONG or VUG?
Nearly the same fund. VUG costs less.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over the full window, VUG over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.6%.
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 | VONG | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $51.6B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.46% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 373 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +3.04% | +8.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.91% | +10.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.33% | +23.54%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.85% | +12.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -35.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,506 | $17,813Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.3%Best | 63.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2010 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 14, 2026 (16 years).
VONG vs VUG 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 years both funds cover.
VONG vs VUG Performance
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VONG returned +4.91% while VUG returned +10.99%. Year to date, VONG is up 3.04% versus a gain of 8.48% for VUG.
Over three years, VONG compounded at +21.33% per year against +23.54% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +11.85% and +12.24% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.49% annualized vs +15.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 15.9% for VONG. 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 -32.7% for VONG and -35.6% for VUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VONG charges 0.06% per year while VUG 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, VONG currently yields 0.46% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
83.8% of VONG's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 94.3% of VUG's money is in holdings VONG also owns.
Most of VUG is already inside VONG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
112 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 147 in VUG, against full books of 373 and 146.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 34 positions for VUG that do not appear in our book for VONG (5.5% of the fund), and 197 for VONG that do not appear in VUG (15.7%).
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 VONG | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 13.81% | 12.81% | 1.00% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.71% | 12.59% | 5.88% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.10% | 9.59% | 5.49% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.16% | 5.80% | 0.36% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.20% | 4.46% | 0.74% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.97% | 4.62% | 0.35% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.00% | 3.41% | 0.41% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 3.64% | 2.44% | 1.20% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.57% | 5.15% | 4.58% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.83% | 2.72% | 0.11% |
94.3% of VUG is already inside VONG.
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, VONG or VUG?
VONG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VUG charges 0.03%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VONG or VUG?
Over the past year VONG returned +4.91% vs +10.99% for VUG, so VUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VONG annualized +15.49% vs +15.47% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VONG or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VONG -32.7% vs VUG -35.6%.
Should I hold both VONG and VUG?
VONG and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VONG and VUG?
94.3% of VUG's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 94.3% of VUG's is in holdings VONG also owns. They hold 112 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 147 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VONG or VUG?
VONG yields 0.46% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VONG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than VONG?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over the full window, VUG over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.