STRN vs VTI
SMART Trend 25 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, STRN or VTI?
STRN has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. STRN led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.7%.
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 | STRN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $30M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 52 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +21.37%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +24.63%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.0% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.4% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $13,385Best | $12,075 |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.7% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | SMART Wealth, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 20, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 20, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
STRN 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
STRN vs VTI Performance
SMART Trend 25 ETF (STRN) is an ETF from SMART Wealth, LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STRN returned +24.63% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, STRN is up 21.37% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STRN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.0% compared with 12.2% 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 -15.4% for STRN and -8.9% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STRN charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STRN currently yields 0.15% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.2% of STRN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.1% of VTI's money is in holdings STRN also owns.
Most of STRN is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
27 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in STRN and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 52 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,129 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for STRN (81.5% of the fund), and 2 for STRN that do not appear in VTI (6.9%).
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 STRN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.98% | 6.88% | 4.90% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 6.74% | 0.55% | 6.19% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 6.62% | 0.26% | 6.36% |
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 6.63% | 0.23% | 6.40% |
| VLOValero Energy | 6.18% | 0.14% | 6.04% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 4.88% | 0.90% | 3.98% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 4.84% | 0.24% | 4.60% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 4.86% | 0.15% | 4.71% |
| PSTGPure Storage Inc | 4.66% | 0.04% | 4.62% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 4.50% | 0.18% | 4.32% |
93.2% of STRN 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, STRN or VTI?
STRN has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STRN or VTI?
Over the past year STRN returned +24.63% vs +16.63% for VTI, so STRN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), STRN annualized +30.35% vs +18.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STRN or VTI?
STRN has been the more volatile fund at 26.0% annualized versus 12.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: STRN -15.4% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both STRN and VTI?
STRN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 STRN and VTI?
93.2% of STRN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.1% of VTI's is in holdings STRN also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in STRN and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, STRN or VTI?
STRN yields 0.15% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than STRN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. STRN led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.