VOX vs VTI
Vanguard Communication Services ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VOX or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 68.2%.
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 | VOX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5.7B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 115 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -0.83% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.19% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.40% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.37% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,270 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2004 to Oct 2, 2026 (22 years).
VOX 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 years both funds cover.
VOX vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOX returned +3.19% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, VOX is down 0.83% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, VOX compounded at +23.40% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.37% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.65% annualized vs +8.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 15.2% 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 -57.2% for VOX 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOX 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, VOX currently yields 1.05% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.7% of VOX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.9% of VTI's money is in holdings VOX also owns.
Most of VOX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
104 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in VOX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 115 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,111 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VOX (88.5% of the fund), and 6 for VOX that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
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 VOX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 20.31% | 1.70% | 18.61% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 14.40% | 2.90% | 11.50% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 7.79% | 2.31% | 5.48% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 4.21% | 0.42% | 3.79% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 4.36% | 0.23% | 4.13% |
| VZVerizon Communications Inc Vz | 4.20% | 0.24% | 3.96% |
| TAT&T Inc | 3.86% | 0.22% | 3.64% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 3.29% | 0.12% | 3.17% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 2.97% | 0.10% | 2.87% |
| WBDWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc | 2.84% | 0.09% | 2.75% |
95.7% of VOX 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, VOX or VTI?
VOX 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, VOX or VTI?
Over the past year VOX returned +3.19% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VOX annualized +8.74% vs +9.65% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOX or VTI?
VOX has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VOX -57.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VOX and VTI?
VOX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 VOX and VTI?
95.7% of VOX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.9% of VTI's is in holdings VOX also owns. They hold 104 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in VOX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOX or VTI?
VOX yields 1.05% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VOX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VOX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 68.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.