VUSG vs VXUS
Vanguard Wellington US Growth Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, VUSG or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.
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 | VUSG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 130 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +0.56% | +9.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.75% | +13.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.04% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 14, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VUSG vs VXUS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VUSG vs VXUS Performance
Vanguard Wellington US Growth Active ETF (VUSG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VUSG returned +3.75% while VXUS returned +13.63%. Year to date, VUSG is up 0.56% versus a gain of 9.53% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.2% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VUSG charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VUSG currently yields 0.02% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.8% of VUSG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VUSG and VXUS share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in VUSG and 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 130 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VUSG and VXUS 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, VUSG or VXUS?
VUSG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VUSG or VXUS?
Over the past year VUSG returned +3.75% vs +13.63% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VUSG or VXUS?
VUSG has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS.
Should I hold both VUSG and VXUS?
VUSG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VUSG and VXUS?
At least 4.8% of VUSG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in VUSG and 8,463 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, VUSG or VXUS?
VUSG yields 0.02% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than VUSG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.