SMLL vs VTI
Harbor Active Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMLL or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%.
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 | SMLL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 103 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +2.49% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.71% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 12.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $10,541 | $13,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.3% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 27, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.1 years).
SMLL 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
SMLL vs VTI Performance
Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMLL returned -0.71% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, SMLL is up 2.49% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMLL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 12.5% 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 -23.6% for SMLL and -19.3% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMLL charges 0.80% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $3 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMLL currently yields 1.63% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.4% of SMLL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's money is in holdings SMLL also owns.
Most of SMLL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
51 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in SMLL and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 103 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,128 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SMLL (97.2% of the fund), and 0 for SMLL that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 SMLL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| POOLPool Corp. | 4.58% | 0.01% | 4.57% |
| MORNMorningstar, Inc. | 4.51% | 0.01% | 4.50% |
| WTFCWintrust Financial Corp | 3.85% | 0.01% | 3.84% |
| PCTYPaylocity Holding Corp | 3.73% | 0.01% | 3.72% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 3.53% | 0.02% | 3.51% |
| PLOWDouglas Dynamics, Inc. | 3.48% | 0.00% | 3.48% |
| UBSIUnited Bankshares Inc/Wv | 3.38% | 0.01% | 3.37% |
| DOCSDoximity Inc | 3.22% | 0.00% | 3.22% |
| WSCWillscot Corp. | 3.11% | 0.00% | 3.11% |
| RLJRlj Lodging Trust | 2.92% | 0.00% | 2.92% |
97.4% of SMLL 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, SMLL or VTI?
SMLL has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMLL or VTI?
Over the past year SMLL returned -0.71% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMLL annualized +2.54% vs +17.33% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMLL or VTI?
SMLL has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 12.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMLL -23.6% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SMLL and VTI?
SMLL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SMLL and VTI?
97.4% of SMLL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's is in holdings SMLL also owns. They hold 51 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in SMLL and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMLL or VTI?
SMLL yields 1.63% while VTI yields 1.06%, so SMLL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMLL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.