VNQI vs VTI
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VNQI or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQI is less concentrated, with 21.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | VNQI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.05% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 773 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -8.84% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.51% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.54% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.35% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,879 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.9%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2010 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16 years).
VNQI 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 16 years both funds cover.
VNQI vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF (VNQI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VNQI returned -7.51% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, VNQI is down 8.84% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, VNQI compounded at +7.54% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -2.35% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.68% annualized vs +2.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -38.4% for VNQI and -35.0% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VNQI charges 0.12% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $3 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VNQI currently yields 5.05% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
1.7% of VNQI's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
VNQI and VTI share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 647 positions we hold weights for in VNQI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 773 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,155 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VNQI (97.6% of the fund), and 3 for VNQI that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VNQI and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VNQI or VTI?
VNQI has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VNQI or VTI?
Over the past year VNQI returned -7.51% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VNQI annualized +2.77% vs +12.68% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VNQI or VTI?
VNQI has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VNQI -38.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VNQI and VTI?
VNQI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 VNQI and VTI?
1.7% of VNQI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings VNQI also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 647 positions we hold weights for in VNQI and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VNQI or VTI?
VNQI yields 5.05% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VNQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VNQI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQI is less concentrated, with 21.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.