Key Points
ITOT and VTI share an identical 0.03% expense ratio.
VTI provides broader diversification, with over 3,500 holdings compared to roughly 2,400 in ITOT.
Both ETFs have generated matching total returns of 23% over the past year and identical five-year max drawdowns of around 25%.
Both the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT:ITOT) and the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT:VTI)aim to capture the entire investable U.S. stock market.
While they track slightly different benchmarks, they both serve as foundational building blocks for a diversified portfolio, and the choice often comes down to brand preference rather than significant differences in performance or cost.
Snapshot (cost & size)
| Metric | ITOT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Share price (as of Aug. 11, 2026) | $169.02 | $380.65 |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| 1-yr return (as of Aug. 11, 2026) | 23.3% | 23.2% |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 1.06% |
| Beta (5Y monthly) | 1.01 | 1.01 |
| Assets under management (AUM) | $94.3 billion | $663.5 billion |
Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from monthly returns over the available fund history (up to five years). The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.
Both ETFs are exceptionally cost-efficient, featuring a 0.03% expense ratio. This means investors pay just $3 annually for every $10,000 invested. Their dividend payouts are also aligned, with each providing a similar 1% yield.
Performance & risk comparison
| Metric | ITOT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown (5 yr) | -25.4% | -25.4% |
| Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return) | $1,788 | $1,790 |
What's inside
VTI maintains a massive portfolio of 3,531 holdings, aiming for exhaustive coverage of the domestic equity market. The portfolio is market-cap weighted, leading to a heavy concentration in technology at 36% of assets, while financial services and industrials follow at 12% and 10%, respectively. Its largest positions include Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.
ITOT tracks a slightly different benchmark, resulting in a narrower but still broad collection of 2,449 stocks. Its sector weights closely mirror its competitor, and its top three holdings also match those of VTI.
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Which looks like the better buy
In most meaningful ways, VTI and ITOT are virtually identical. With similar one- and five-year total returns, expense ratios, and portfolio makeup, investors won’t notice many differences between the two funds that impact their bottom line.
VTI is significantly larger in terms of its assets under management (AUM), which can provide greater liquidity and make it easier for investors to buy and sell large amounts at a time. Because both funds are massive, however, VTI’s larger AUM likely won’t make much of a difference for the average investor.
The only other material difference between them is the number of holdings. VTI offers around 1,000 more stocks than ITOT, as it includes many micro-cap stocks that ITOT filters out. This added diversification hasn’t led to a difference in returns or risk profile, but it can be an advantage for investors seeking maximum exposure to U.S. equities.
As far as choosing between them, it’s essentially a toss-up. VTI’s extra 1,000 stocks can be a bonus, but realistically, investors won’t notice any meaningful differences between the two funds.
Katie Brockman has positions in Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.