ESSC vs VXUS
Eventide Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ESSC or VXUS?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | ESSC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 1,117 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +8.23% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.50% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.2% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,169 | $11,607Best |
| Fund Family | Eventide | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
ESSC 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 covers the 1 years both funds cover.
ESSC vs VXUS Performance
Eventide Small Cap ETF (ESSC) is an ETF from Eventide and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESSC returned +11.50% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, ESSC is up 8.23% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 14.2% for VXUS. 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 -12.2% for ESSC and -11.3% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESSC charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESSC currently yields 0.60% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.5% of ESSC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
ESSC and VXUS share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 357 positions we hold weights for in ESSC and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 1,117 and 8,844.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ESSC 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, ESSC or VXUS?
ESSC has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESSC or VXUS?
Over the past year ESSC returned +11.50% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ESSC annualized +11.69% vs +16.07% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESSC or VXUS?
ESSC has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ESSC -12.2% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both ESSC and VXUS?
ESSC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 ESSC and VXUS?
At least 1.5% of ESSC's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 357 positions we hold weights for in ESSC and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESSC or VXUS?
ESSC yields 0.60% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ESSC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.