VSLU vs VTI
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VSLU or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VSLU led over 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.7%.
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 | VSLU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $566M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 920 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +11.51% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.93% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.31% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.51%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,689Best | $18,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Applied Finance Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 29, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2021 to Oct 2, 2026 (5.4 years).
VSLU 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
VSLU vs VTI Performance
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF (VSLU) is an ETF from Applied Finance Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VSLU returned +13.93% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, VSLU is up 11.51% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, VSLU compounded at +23.31% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.51% and +12.83% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 14.6% for VSLU. 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 -23.9% for VSLU and -25.4% 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VSLU charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VSLU currently yields 0.42% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.5% of VSLU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 61.4% of VTI's money is in holdings VSLU also owns.
Most of VSLU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, VSLU as of Sep 18, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
442 positions in common, counted across the 456 positions we hold weights for in VSLU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 920 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 724 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VSLU (36.2% of the fund), and 10 for VSLU that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
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 VSLU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 10.79% | 6.40% | 4.39% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 10.23% | 6.29% | 3.94% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.87% | 4.79% | 3.08% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.75% | 2.90% | 3.85% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.29% | 1.70% | 2.59% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.65% | 2.56% | 0.09% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.36% | 1.35% | 2.01% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.10% | 0.83% | 2.27% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.30% | 0.63% | 1.67% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.28% | 0.86% | 0.42% |
99.5% of VSLU 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, VSLU or VTI?
VSLU has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VSLU or VTI?
Over the past year VSLU returned +13.93% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VSLU or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.6% for VSLU. Worst drawdown: VSLU -23.9% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both VSLU and VTI?
VSLU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 VSLU and VTI?
99.5% of VSLU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 61.4% of VTI's is in holdings VSLU also owns. They hold 442 positions in common, counted across the 456 positions we hold weights for in VSLU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VSLU or VTI?
VSLU yields 0.42% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VSLU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VSLU led over 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.