VTI vs VUG
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, VTI or VUG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VTI led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $666.9B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +11.06%Best | +7.68% |
| 1Y Return | +15.41%Best | +10.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48% | +23.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.52% | +11.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6% | -51.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,249 | $17,529Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3%Best | 63.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 16, 2026 (22.6 years).
VTI 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
VTI vs VUG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTI returned +15.41% while VUG returned +10.35%. Year to date, VTI is up 11.06% versus a gain of 7.68% for VUG.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.48% per year against +23.24% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +11.52% and +11.88% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +11.12% annualized vs +9.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 15.1% 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 -56.6% for VTI 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
52.0% of VTI's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 99.6% of VUG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of VUG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
144 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 147 in VUG, against full books of 3,543 and 146.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for VUG that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.3% of the fund), and 1,010 for VTI that do not appear in VUG (45.5%).
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 VTI | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.40% | 12.81% | 6.41% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.29% | 12.59% | 6.30% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.79% | 9.59% | 4.80% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.65% | 5.15% | 1.50% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.90% | 5.80% | 2.90% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.56% | 4.46% | 1.90% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.31% | 4.62% | 2.31% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.70% | 3.41% | 1.71% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.35% | 2.72% | 1.37% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.22% | 2.44% | 1.22% |
99.6% of VUG 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, VTI or VUG?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUG charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VTI or VUG?
Over the past year VTI returned +15.41% vs +10.35% for VUG, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VTI annualized +9.21% vs +11.12% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs VUG -51.4%.
Should I hold both VTI and VUG?
VTI and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 VTI and VUG?
99.6% of VUG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 99.6% of VUG's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 144 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 147 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or VUG?
VTI yields 1.03% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than VTI?
VTI led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.