VMAX vs VTI
Hartford US Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VMAX or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VMAX led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VMAX is less concentrated, with 18.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | VMAX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $50M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 127 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +16.74%Best | +14.35% |
| 1Y Return | +22.02%Best | +17.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.47% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.62% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 11.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $16,947 | $17,700Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2023 to Oct 13, 2026 (2.9 years).
VMAX 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
VMAX vs VTI Performance
Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VMAX returned +22.02% while VTI returned +17.97%. Year to date, VMAX is up 16.74% versus a gain of 14.35% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VMAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 11.9% 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 -19.1% for VMAX 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VMAX charges 0.29% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $3 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VMAX currently yields 1.80% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.8% of VMAX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 48.1% of VTI's money is in holdings VMAX also owns.
Most of VMAX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, VMAX as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
124 positions in common, counted across the 125 positions we hold weights for in VMAX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 127 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,027 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VMAX (49.4% of the fund), and 0 for VMAX 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 VMAX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.43% | 6.40% | 4.97% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.27% | 6.29% | 5.02% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.29% | 4.79% | 4.50% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.55% | 2.90% | 1.35% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.59% | 3.65% | 3.06% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.66% | 1.70% | 0.04% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.81% | 1.28% | 0.53% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.80% | 0.83% | 0.97% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.81% | 0.63% | 1.18% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.99% | 1.31% | 0.32% |
98.8% of VMAX 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, VMAX or VTI?
VMAX has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VMAX or VTI?
Over the past year VMAX returned +22.02% vs +17.97% for VTI, so VMAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VMAX or VTI?
VMAX has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 11.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VMAX -19.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both VMAX and VTI?
VMAX 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 VMAX and VTI?
98.8% of VMAX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 48.1% of VTI's is in holdings VMAX also owns. They hold 124 positions in common, counted across the 125 positions we hold weights for in VMAX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VMAX or VTI?
VMAX yields 1.80% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VMAX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VMAX led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VMAX is less concentrated, with 18.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.