VTG vs VTI
Vanguard Total Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VTG or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI led over 1Y 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 | VTG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $180M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.63% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 286 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.45% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.75% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.3%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.4%Best | -8.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $10,132 | $12,366Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 7, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 9, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.2 years).
VTG 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
VTG vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTG returned -0.75% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, VTG is down 1.45% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 3.3% for VTG. 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 -3.4% for VTG and -8.9% 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTG charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VTG currently yields 3.63% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings VTG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTG, our book for it covers 0.5% 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in VTG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 286 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.47% | 0.07% | 0.40% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTG 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, VTG or VTI?
VTG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VTG or VTI?
Over the past year VTG returned -0.75% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VTG annualized +1.10% vs +19.36% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 3.3% for VTG. Worst drawdown: VTG -3.4% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both VTG and VTI?
VTG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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, VTG or VTI?
VTG yields 3.63% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VTG?
VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.