IWM vs VTWO
iShares Russell 2000 ETF vs Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF
Which is better, IWM or VTWO?
Nearly the same fund. VTWO costs less.
VTWO has a lower expense ratio. VTWO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | IWM | VTWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $76.0B | $16.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.21% |
| Holdings | 1,972 | 1,989 |
| YTD Return | +9.82% | +9.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.58% | +10.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.51% | +17.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.03% | +5.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1%Tie | 19.1%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -42.3%Best | -42.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,781 | $12,897Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.1 years).
IWM vs VTWO 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 16.1 years both funds cover.
IWM vs VTWO Performance
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IWM returned +10.58% while VTWO returned +10.77%. Year to date, IWM is up 9.82% versus a gain of 9.96% for VTWO.
Over three years, IWM compounded at +17.51% per year against +17.72% for VTWO; over five years the annualized figures are +5.03% and +5.22% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTWO has the edge at +9.94% annualized vs +9.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWM and VTWO have been equally volatile, both at 19.1% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -42.3% for IWM and -42.4% for VTWO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWM charges 0.19% per year while VTWO charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $6 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWM currently yields 0.98% against 1.21% for VTWO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 88.3% of IWM's money is in holdings VTWO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTWO, our book for it covers 89.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of IWM is already inside VTWO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, IWM as of Oct 1, 2026 and VTWO as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1,573 positions in common, counted across the 1,973 positions we hold weights for in IWM and 1,633 in VTWO, against full books of 1,972 and 1,989.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IWM | Weight in VTWO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp. | 0.32% | 0.34% | 0.02% |
| HUTHut 8 Corp Common Shares | 0.30% | 0.35% | 0.05% |
| BTSGBrightspring Health | 0.32% | 0.31% | 0.01% |
| GKOSGlaukos Corp. | 0.32% | 0.30% | 0.02% |
| CYTKCytokinetics Inc | 0.30% | 0.32% | 0.02% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.30% | 0.31% | 0.01% |
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 0.42% | 0.18% | 0.24% |
| CTRECaretrust Reit Inc Reit Usd.01 | 0.29% | 0.30% | 0.01% |
| ONBOld National Bancorp/In Common Stock | 0.30% | 0.29% | 0.01% |
| EATBrinker Intl Inc | 0.28% | 0.29% | 0.01% |
88.3% of IWM is already inside VTWO.
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, IWM or VTWO?
IWM has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTWO charges 0.06%. VTWO is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWM or VTWO?
Over the past year IWM returned +10.58% vs +10.77% for VTWO, so VTWO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IWM annualized +9.68% vs +9.94% for VTWO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWM or VTWO?
IWM and VTWO have been equally volatile, both at 19.1% annualized. Worst drawdown: IWM -42.3% vs VTWO -42.4%.
Should I hold both IWM and VTWO?
IWM and VTWO have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 IWM and VTWO?
At least 88.3% of IWM's money is in holdings VTWO also owns. Our book for VTWO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,573 positions in common, counted across the 1,973 positions we hold weights for in IWM and 1,633 in VTWO.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWM or VTWO?
IWM yields 0.98% while VTWO yields 1.21%, so VTWO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTWO better than IWM?
VTWO has a lower expense ratio. VTWO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.