REIT vs VTI
ALPS Active REIT ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, REIT or VTI?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.6%.
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 | REIT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.08% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 32 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.76% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.51% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.58% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.83% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.3% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,497 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.6% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 24, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.6 years).
REIT 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
REIT vs VTI Performance
ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year REIT returned +10.51% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, REIT is up 9.76% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, REIT compounded at +10.58% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.83% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +6.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
REIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 15.3% 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 -29.3% for REIT and -25.4% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
REIT 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, REIT currently yields 3.08% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.4% of REIT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's money is in holdings REIT also owns.
Most of REIT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in REIT and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 32 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 30 and 3,441 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,129 positions REIT does not, 96.3% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.88%, AAPL 6.30%, MSFT 5.11%, AMZN 3.41%, GOOGL 2.70%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in REIT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 10.19% | 0.23% | 9.96% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 9.88% | 0.14% | 9.74% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 8.74% | 0.18% | 8.56% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.72% | 0.09% | 4.63% |
| ESSEssex Property Trust Inc. | 4.43% | 0.02% | 4.41% |
| WPCW.P Carey Inc. | 4.04% | 0.02% | 4.02% |
| MACMacerich Co. | 4.00% | 0.01% | 3.99% |
| ELSEquity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. | 3.87% | 0.02% | 3.85% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 3.38% | 0.02% | 3.36% |
| TRNOTerreno Realty Corp | 3.32% | 0.01% | 3.31% |
98.4% of REIT 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, REIT or VTI?
REIT 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.
Which performed better, REIT or VTI?
Over the past year REIT returned +10.51% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), REIT annualized +6.16% vs +13.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, REIT or VTI?
REIT has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: REIT -29.3% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both REIT and VTI?
REIT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 REIT and VTI?
98.4% of REIT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's is in holdings REIT also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in REIT and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, REIT or VTI?
REIT yields 3.08% while VTI yields 1.06%, so REIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than REIT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.