VSS vs VTI
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VSS or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VSS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $13.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.10% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 4,906 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.36% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.71% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.23% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.53% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,088 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 6, 2009 to Sep 10, 2026 (17.4 years).
VSS 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 17.4 years both funds cover.
VSS vs VTI Performance
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VSS returned +14.71% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, VSS is up 9.36% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, VSS compounded at +16.23% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.53% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.90% annualized vs +7.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VSS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 14.8% 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 -46.8% for VSS and -35.0% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VSS charges 0.06% per year while VTI 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, VSS currently yields 3.10% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VSS's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
11 positions in common, counted across the 4,653 positions we hold weights for in VSS and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 4,906 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VSS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFR:CAEnergy Fuels Inc/Canada | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.09% |
| CCCSCCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.09% |
| CLW:AUCharter Hall Long Wale Reit | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| RBA:CARb Global Inc | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| MDVModiv Industrial Inc_None_None | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| ZZillow Group Inc - C Common Stock | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| SPPJ:ZASpar Group Ltd/The | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| EAFGraftech International Ltd | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| EAST:EGEastern Co Sae | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VSS and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VSS or VTI?
VSS has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VSS or VTI?
Over the past year VSS returned +14.71% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VSS annualized +7.45% vs +13.90% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VSS or VTI?
VSS has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VSS -46.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VSS and VTI?
VSS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VSS or VTI?
VSS yields 3.10% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VSS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VSS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.