PAXS vs VTI
PIMCO Access Income Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PAXS or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PAXS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $668M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.67% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 499 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -7.18% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.27% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.55% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.3%Best | -22.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $11,159 | $18,543Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.7 years).
PAXS 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
PAXS vs VTI Performance
PIMCO Access Income Fund (PAXS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PAXS returned -10.27% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, PAXS is down 7.18% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, PAXS compounded at +11.55% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PAXS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 15.7% 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 -22.3% for PAXS and -22.4% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAXS charges 2.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $209 vs $3 annually, a gap of $206 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAXS currently yields 12.67% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in PAXS and 3,441 in VTI, totalling 8.5% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 335 days apart, PAXS as of Sep 30, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in PAXS and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 499 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAXS 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, PAXS or VTI?
PAXS has an expense ratio of 2.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $206 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAXS or VTI?
Over the past year PAXS returned -10.27% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAXS or VTI?
PAXS has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PAXS -22.3% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both PAXS and VTI?
PAXS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, PAXS or VTI?
PAXS yields 12.67% while VTI yields 1.06%, so PAXS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PAXS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.