VT vs VTI: which is better for you?
VT owns the whole world's stock market. VTI owns just the U.S. market. VT already includes almost everything in VTI.
The short answer
VTI has grown faster over the last 10 years because U.S. stocks led. VT spreads your money worldwide in one simple fund.
VT vs VTI at a glance
| VT | VTI | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Follows | FTSE Global All Cap | CRSP U.S. Total Market |
| What it owns | thousands of companies around the world | thousands of U.S. companies of all sizes |
| Yearly fee | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Dividend yield (approx.) | 2.0% | 1.3% |
| 10-year yearly return (approx.) | 10.0% | 13.0% |
| Typical swings | Medium | Medium |
Returns and yields are rounded estimates through mid-2026. Fees are each fund's yearly expense ratio.
What is VT?
VT owns stocks from the whole world in one fund, about 60% U.S. and 40% other countries. It's a true one-fund portfolio.
What is VTI?
VTI owns nearly the whole U.S. stock market: big, medium and small companies. Because big companies make up most of its value, it moves a lot like the S&P 500.
Growth: $200 every paycheck
Here's what $200 every two weeks could grow to at each fund's approximate 10-year yearly return:
| After | VT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $86,793 | $101,643 |
| 20 years | $311,913 | $446,675 |
| 30 years | $895,814 | $1,617,910 |
At these past rates, VTI ends up about $722,096 ahead after 30 years. Past returns don't promise future ones, so treat this as a "what if," not a forecast.
Fees
| Yearly fee | VT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Per $10,000 invested | $6 | $3 |
| On the 30-year balance | $537 | $485 |
Lower fees leave more money growing for you. See why small fees add up.
Dividends
| VT | VTI | |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends a year on the 30-year balance | $17,916 | $21,033 |
Risk
VT's typical swings are medium, and VTI's are medium. Funds that hold fewer kinds of companies tend to rise and fall more. The best fund is one you can hold through a bad year without selling.
Which one fits you?
- Pick VT if you want one fund that covers every country.
- Pick VTI if you want just the U.S. market, or plan to add an international fund yourself.
Put VT and VTI side by side with your own paycheck amount.
Compare themQuick answers
Is VT better than VTI?
VTI has grown faster over the last 10 years because U.S. stocks led. VT spreads your money worldwide in one simple fund.
Which has lower fees, VT or VTI?
VT charges 0.06% a year and VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is cheaper.
Which pays more dividends, VT or VTI?
VT has paid about 2.0% a year and VTI about 1.3%. Yields change over time.
Is VT enough by itself?
Many people use VT as a one-fund portfolio, since it owns thousands of companies worldwide.
Keep learning
This article is for learning only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Example returns are not promises. Talk to a licensed professional about your own situation.