TCAI vs VTI
Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TCAI or VTI?
TCAI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. TCAI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.6%.
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 | TCAI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $234M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.03% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 51 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +36.64%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +33.53%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 45.4% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.8% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $16,902Best | $12,383 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.6% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Tortoise Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
TCAI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
TCAI vs VTI Performance
Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF (TCAI) is an ETF from Tortoise Capital and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TCAI returned +33.53% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, TCAI is up 36.64% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TCAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 45.4% 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 -28.8% for TCAI 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TCAI charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TCAI currently yields 0.03% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
83.8% of TCAI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 11.4% of VTI's money is in holdings TCAI also owns.
Most of TCAI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
36 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in TCAI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 51 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,122 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for TCAI (86.2% of the fund), and 5 for TCAI that do not appear in VTI (8.7%).
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 TCAI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 7.56% | 0.18% | 7.38% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.71% | 6.88% | 6.17% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 5.16% | 1.46% | 3.70% |
| VRTVertiv Holdings Co | 5.20% | 0.13% | 5.07% |
| SNDKVSandisk Corp. | 4.26% | 0.31% | 3.95% |
| STXSeagate Technolo | 3.78% | 0.25% | 3.53% |
| PWRQuanta Services Inc | 3.78% | 0.12% | 3.66% |
| CIENCiena Corp | 3.39% | 0.07% | 3.32% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 3.37% | 0.03% | 3.34% |
| GEVGe Vernova, Inc. | 3.01% | 0.33% | 2.68% |
83.8% of TCAI 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, TCAI or VTI?
TCAI has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TCAI or VTI?
Over the past year TCAI returned +33.53% vs +16.63% for VTI, so TCAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), TCAI annualized +54.86% vs +19.50% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TCAI or VTI?
TCAI has been the more volatile fund at 45.4% annualized versus 12.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TCAI -28.8% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both TCAI and VTI?
TCAI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 TCAI and VTI?
83.8% of TCAI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 11.4% of VTI's is in holdings TCAI also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in TCAI and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TCAI or VTI?
TCAI yields 0.03% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TCAI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. TCAI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.