GDFN vs VTI
Tema International Defense Innovation ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GDFN or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.0%.
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 | GDFN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 32 | 3,524 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.0% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Tema Global Limited | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
The two price series end 198 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GDFN has data through Mar 30, 2026 and VTI through Oct 14, 2026.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDFN charges 0.68% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $3 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDFN currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
19.6% of GDFN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.7% of VTI's money is in holdings GDFN also owns.
GDFN and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 243 days apart, GDFN as of Dec 31, 2025 and VTI as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
10 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in GDFN and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 32 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GDFN (95.9% of the fund), and 1 for GDFN that do not appear in VTI (4.1%).
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 GDFN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 4.39% | 0.05% | 4.34% |
| AVAVAerovironment Inc | 3.65% | 0.01% | 3.64% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 2.40% | 0.55% | 1.85% |
| LMTLockheed Martin | 1.62% | 0.18% | 1.44% |
| RTXRaytheon Co. | 1.41% | 0.38% | 1.03% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 1.55% | 0.07% | 1.48% |
| BABoeing Co | 1.12% | 0.22% | 0.90% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 1.17% | 0.13% | 1.04% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.16% | 0.10% | 1.06% |
| DRSLeonardo Drs Inc_None_None | 1.09% | 0.00% | 1.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDFN and VTI 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, GDFN or VTI?
GDFN has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between GDFN and VTI?
19.6% of GDFN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.7% of VTI's is in holdings GDFN also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in GDFN and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDFN or VTI?
GDFN yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GDFN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.