VTI vs WBND
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Western Asset Total Return ETF
Which is better, VTI or WBND?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. 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 | VTI | WBND |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.65% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $10M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 4.06% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 512 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8%Best | 142.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.0%Best | -81.5% |
| $10,000 over 6.9 years | $22,902Best | $10,601 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Oct 3, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 385 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VTI has data through Sep 11, 2026 and WBND through Aug 22, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 6.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 4, 2018 to Aug 22, 2025 (6.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WBND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 142.2% compared with 17.8% 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 -35.0% for VTI and -81.5% for WBND. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while WBND charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $65 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 4.06% for WBND.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and WBND 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 WBND?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while WBND charges 0.65%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VTI or WBND?
WBND has been the more volatile fund at 142.2% annualized versus 17.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -35.0% vs WBND -81.5%.
Should I hold both VTI and WBND?
VTI and WBND have a monthly-return correlation of 0.02, 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, VTI or WBND?
VTI yields 1.03% while WBND yields 4.06%, so WBND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WBND better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. 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.