Investment Education

Vanguard funds have long been popular choices for investors seeking low-cost index funds ideal for a buy-and-hold strategy.

In the exchange-traded fund space, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) are prime examples.

While VOO tracks the S&P 500 index, VTI tracks the broader CRSP US Total Market Index. Both exchange-traded funds can serve as a core holding in a long-term portfolio for almost any investor, from beginners to seasoned investors to professional money managers.

But which of these stock funds is best for your portfolio?

We provide a close look at VOO and VTI, covering the costs and key performance metrics, as well as their similarities and differences.

VTI vs VOO: Similarities and Differences

VOO and VTI are both popular Vanguard funds that offer broad exposure to the U.S. stock market. VOO tracks the S&P 500, focusing on large-cap companies, while VTI tracks the total U.S. stock market, including companies of all sizes.

Similarities

Differences

VTI vs VOO: AUM, Expenses, and Performance

Data as of September 4, 2024.

Breaking Down VTI and VOO ETF Performance

VTI provides broader diversification but has produced slightly lower returns in the past decade due to its inclusion of smaller-cap stocks. Remember that small-caps have historically outperformed large-caps. So, if history repeats or rhymes, the recent dominance of the latter may not continue over the next decade.