VOT vs VUG
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, VOT or VUG?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. VUG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% 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 | VOT | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $19.1B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 129 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +4.24% | +9.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.42% | +12.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.38% | +24.08%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.53% | +13.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3% | -51.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,480 | $18,424Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9%Best | 63.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 17, 2006 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.1 years).
VOT 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 20.1 years both funds cover.
VOT vs VUG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOT returned +0.42% while VUG returned +12.34%. Year to date, VOT is up 4.24% versus a gain of 9.77% for VUG.
Over three years, VOT compounded at +14.38% per year against +24.08% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +4.53% and +13.00% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +12.39% annualized vs +9.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 17.2% for VUG. 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 -60.3% for VOT and -51.4% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOT charges 0.05% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $3 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOT currently yields 0.60% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
75.6% of VOT's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 11.5% of VUG's money is in holdings VOT also owns.
Most of VOT is already inside VUG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
86 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 147 in VUG, against full books of 129 and 146.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 61 positions for VUG that do not appear in our book for VOT (88.4% of the fund), and 34 for VOT that do not appear in VUG (23.4%).
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 VOT | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 2.57% | 0.33% | 2.24% |
| STXSeagate Technology Holdings Plc | 2.18% | 0.55% | 1.63% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 2.14% | 0.53% | 1.61% |
| PWRQuanta Services Inc | 2.28% | 0.29% | 1.99% |
| VRTVertiv Holdings Co | 2.11% | 0.27% | 1.84% |
| NETCloudflare Inc (180 Day Lockup) | 2.03% | 0.27% | 1.76% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 2.02% | 0.27% | 1.75% |
| RCLRoyal Caribbean Cruises | 1.75% | 0.13% | 1.62% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 1.65% | 0.22% | 1.43% |
| MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc | 1.65% | 0.22% | 1.43% |
75.6% of VOT is already inside VUG.
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, VOT or VUG?
VOT has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VUG charges 0.03%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOT or VUG?
Over the past year VOT returned +0.42% vs +12.34% for VUG, so VUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VOT annualized +9.31% vs +12.39% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOT or VUG?
VOT has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 17.2% for VUG. Worst drawdown: VOT -60.3% vs VUG -51.4%.
Should I hold both VOT and VUG?
VOT and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 VOT and VUG?
75.6% of VOT's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 11.5% of VUG's is in holdings VOT also owns. They hold 86 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 147 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOT or VUG?
VOT yields 0.60% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VOT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than VOT?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. VUG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% 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.