GARP vs VTI
iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GARP or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GARP led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.3%.
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 | GARP | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.24% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 134 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +21.61%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +27.14%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +31.49%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.45%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 17.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.3%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,317Best | $17,616 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.3% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 16, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.7 years).
GARP vs VTI 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 6.7 years both funds cover.
GARP vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GARP returned +27.14% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, GARP is up 21.61% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, GARP compounded at +31.49% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +18.45% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, GARP has the edge at +20.06% annualized vs +14.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GARP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 17.4% 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 -31.3% for GARP and -35.0% for VTI. 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
GARP charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GARP currently yields 0.24% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.5% of GARP's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 49.0% of VTI's money is in holdings GARP also owns.
Most of GARP is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
123 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in GARP and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 134 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,035 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GARP (48.6% of the fund), and 4 for GARP that do not appear in VTI (2.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GARP | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.15% | 6.88% | 1.73% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.06% | 6.30% | 1.24% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.14% | 5.11% | 0.03% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 5.18% | 1.70% | 3.48% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 5.12% | 1.46% | 3.66% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.95% | 3.41% | 1.46% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.31% | 0.85% | 3.46% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.22% | 2.70% | 0.48% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 4.39% | 0.51% | 3.88% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.10% | 2.12% | 0.02% |
97.5% of GARP is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GARP or VTI?
GARP has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GARP or VTI?
Over the past year GARP returned +27.14% vs +16.63% for VTI, so GARP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), GARP annualized +20.06% vs +14.02% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GARP or VTI?
GARP has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 17.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GARP -31.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GARP and VTI?
GARP and VTI 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.
What is the holdings overlap between GARP and VTI?
97.5% of GARP's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 49.0% of VTI's is in holdings GARP also owns. They hold 123 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in GARP and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GARP or VTI?
GARP yields 0.24% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GARP?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GARP led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.