VXUS vs ZMUN
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs F/m Ultrashort Tax Free Municipal ETF
Which is better, VXUS or ZMUN?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
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 | VXUS | ZMUN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.30% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $34M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 3.25% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 175 |
| YTD Return | +13.64%Best | +2.14% |
| 1Y Return | +20.82%Best | +2.90% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.14% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1% | 0.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | F-m investments |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Sep 30, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VXUS vs ZMUN 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.
VXUS vs ZMUN Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and F/m Ultrashort Tax Free Municipal ETF (ZMUN) is an ETF from F-m investments. Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% while ZMUN returned +2.90%. Year to date, VXUS is up 13.64% versus a gain of 2.14% for ZMUN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 0.5% for ZMUN. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while ZMUN charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $30 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 3.25% for ZMUN.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 28 in ZMUN, totalling 88.8% and 20.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 28 in ZMUN, against full books of 8,747 and 175.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and ZMUN 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, VXUS or ZMUN?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while ZMUN charges 0.30%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or ZMUN?
Over the past year VXUS returned +20.82% vs +2.90% for ZMUN, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or ZMUN?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 0.5% for ZMUN.
Should I hold both VXUS and ZMUN?
VXUS and ZMUN 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, VXUS or ZMUN?
VXUS yields 2.51% while ZMUN yields 3.25%, so ZMUN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZMUN better than VXUS?
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.