Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VTI | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Expense Ratio | 3.00% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 3,645 | 504 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.28% | 1.24% |
| Min Investment | None | None |
| Inception | 2001-05-24 | 2010-09-07 |
| Index Tracked | CRSP US Total Market Index | S&P 500 Index |
| AUM | $427B | $561B |
Fund data last updated: 2025-01-02. Expense ratios, holdings, and yields may change. Always verify with official sources.
Key Differences
- •VTI holds ~3,600 stocks (entire U.S. market); VOO holds ~500 (large-caps only)
- •VTI includes small and mid-cap stocks; VOO is purely large-cap
- •Both have identical 0.03% expense ratios
- •Historical performance is nearly identical—correlation is ~0.99
Which Should You Choose?
Taxable Brokerage Account
Either works well. VTI offers slightly more diversification with small/mid-caps, but the difference is minimal.
IRA (Traditional or Roth)
Both are excellent. JL Collins recommends total market (VTI) for simplicity—you own 'the whole haystack.'
401(k)
Choose whichever your plan offers with the lowest expense ratio. If both are available, VTI for total market exposure.
JL Collins' Recommendation
JL Collins recommends VTSAX (the mutual fund equivalent of VTI) as his single-fund solution. VTI and VTSAX track the same index. Either VTI or VOO will serve you well—the key is to buy and hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VTI and VOO?
VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index (~3,600 stocks including large, mid, small, and micro-caps). VOO tracks the S&P 500 Index (~500 large-cap stocks). VTI offers broader diversification, while VOO focuses on the largest, most established companies.
Which has better returns: VTI or VOO?
Historically, returns are nearly identical with a correlation above 0.99. Some years small-caps (in VTI) outperform; other years large-caps (VOO) win. Over 20+ year periods, the difference is negligible.
Is VTI more diversified than VOO?
Yes. VTI holds approximately 7x more companies than VOO. However, because market-cap weighted indexes give more weight to larger companies, the top holdings in both funds are nearly identical.
Which does JL Collins recommend?
JL Collins recommends VTSAX/VTI (total market) as his primary recommendation. He says: 'By owning the total stock market, you are owning all the publicly traded companies in America.' However, he acknowledges VOO is also excellent.
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