VTI vs VXF
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VTI or VXF?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXF over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $30.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +11.65% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.34%Best | +15.03% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.35%Best | +17.90% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.72%Best | +6.02% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 18.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,404Best | $13,395 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2002 to Sep 10, 2026 (24.7 years).
VTI vs VXF 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 24.7 years both funds cover.
VTI vs VXF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTI returned +17.34% while VXF returned +15.03%. Year to date, VTI is up 11.65% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXF.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.35% per year against +17.90% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +11.72% and +6.02% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +8.85% annualized vs +8.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.3% 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 -59.4% for VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. 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 VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2,787 holdings in VTI and 3,295 in VXF, totalling 90.6% and 94.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 2,282 positions appear in both.
2,282 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 3,295 in VXF, against full books of 3,543 and 3,385.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTI | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARKXSpace Exploration Technologies Corp | 0.14% | 1.14% | 1.00% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 0.12% | 1.00% | 0.88% |
| BEBloom Energy Corporation Com Cl A | 0.11% | 0.90% | 0.79% |
| NETCloudflare Inc (180 Day Lockup) | 0.11% | 0.89% | 0.78% |
| ALABAstera Labs | 0.10% | 0.73% | 0.63% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Usa Inc | 0.08% | 0.59% | 0.51% |
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 0.07% | 0.57% | 0.50% |
| CRDOCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 0.06% | 0.50% | 0.44% |
| ALNYAlnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.06% | 0.45% | 0.39% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 0.05% | 0.44% | 0.39% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and VXF 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, VTI or VXF?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXF charges 0.05%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or VXF?
Over the past year VTI returned +17.34% vs +15.03% for VXF, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), VTI annualized +8.48% vs +8.85% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both VTI and VXF?
VTI and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or VXF?
VTI yields 1.03% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXF over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.