VB vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VB returned 11.38%/yr vs 15.13%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VB vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 14.91% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 12.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VB has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.38%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.13% annualized return.

VB

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 3.68%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 16.03%
• 1Y: 31.39%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VB vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.91%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	16.26%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VB and VTI is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.92

The correlation between VB and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

VB vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VB	VTI
Industrials	20.8%	9.8%
Technology	17.2%	33.5%
Financial Services	12.6%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	10.0%
Healthcare	11.1%	9.2%
Real Estate	7.6%	2.4%
Basic Materials	4.8%	2.0%
Energy	4.7%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	4.7%
Utilities	3.3%	2.3%
Communication Services	3.1%	10.3%

Return for Risk

VB vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 61
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 68

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VB vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VB	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.48	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	3.37	-0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.45	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	3.44	+0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.82	15.88	-3.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VB vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VB Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VB and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VB	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.48	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.75	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.83	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.51	-0.07

Drawdowns

VB vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VB	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.56%	-55.45%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-8.92%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.36%	-19.30%	-6.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.15%	-25.36%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.05%	-35.00%	-7.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.44%	-8.03%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.43%	1.93%	+0.50%

Volatility

VB vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.86%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VB	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	2.86%	+1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.73%	9.11%	+2.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.27%	12.15%	+4.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.75%	17.40%	+3.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.43%	18.30%	+3.13%

VB vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VB has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VB vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VB and VTI in my portfolio?

VB and VTI have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VB or VTI?

VB has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, VB or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.13% vs 11.38% for VB. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VB or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.13% return vs 11.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VB or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VB or VTI?

VB has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VB and VTI?

VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VB and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.94), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.