ITOT vs VTI: fees, holdings and returns
ITOT and VTI both hold nearly the whole US stock market, weighted by company size. ITOT follows an S&P index and VTI a Morningstar one. Their returns have been almost the same. Over the same dates since January 2004, ITOT returned about 10.7% a year and VTI returned about 10.8% a year.
Written by the Tactfolio research team. Fund facts checked October 17, 2026. Prices through October 20, 2026.
Key points
- Both charge 0.03% a year.
- ITOT started trading in January 2004. VTI started in May 2001.
- Worst drops since 2004: ITOT −55.2%, VTI −55.5%.
- Daily correlation: 0.99 (1 means they always move together).
What is the difference between ITOT and VTI?#
The two indexes cover the same ground with slightly different rules. ITOT holds about 2,400 companies and VTI about 3,500, because VTI’s index reaches further into very small companies. Those make up a tiny share by value. Both charge the same very low fee.
| Fact | ITOT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF |
| Issuer | iShares (BlackRock) | Vanguard |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% a year | 0.03% a year |
| Started trading | January 20, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
| Tracks | S&P Total Market Index (TMI) | Morningstar US Total Market Index |
| Holdings | 2,446 holdings as of October 15, 2026 | 3,519 holdings as of September 30, 2026 |
| Type | US stocks, ETF | US stocks, ETF |
Fund facts checked on the iShares (BlackRock) ITOT page and the Vanguard VTI page.
Is ITOT or VTI cheaper?#
Both charge 0.03% a year. On $10,000, that is about $3 a year for ITOT and $3 for VTI. The fund takes its fee out of its own value a little each day, so you never get a bill.
ITOT vs VTI performance over the same dates#
Both funds are measured from January 2004 to October 2026, the dates both traded. ITOT returned about 10.7% a year and VTI returned about 10.8% a year. VTI came out ahead over this period, which does not mean it will again.
| Measure | ITOT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 grew to | $99,998 | $102,431 |
| Total return | 900.0% | 924.3% |
| Return per year (CAGR) | 10.7% | 10.8% |
| Worst drop from a high | −55.2% | −55.5% |
| Volatility (how much it swings) | 18.6% | 18.8% |
| Last 12 months | 15.2% | 15.2% |
| Last 3 years, per year | 23.4% | 23.4% |
| Last 5 years, per year | 11.6% | 11.5% |
| Last 10 years, per year | 14.9% | 14.9% |
Prices through October 20, 2026. Figures use daily closing prices adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. They do not include taxes or the cost of buying and selling. Past results do not tell you what will happen next.
ITOT and VTI returns by year#
| Year | ITOT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (part of the year) | 13.4% | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 17.0% | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 23.8% | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 26.1% | 26.1% |
| 2022 | −19.5% | −19.5% |
| 2021 | 25.7% | 25.7% |
| 2020 | 20.7% | 21.1% |
| 2019 | 30.7% | 30.7% |
| 2018 | −5.3% | −5.2% |
| 2017 | 21.4% | 21.2% |
| 2016 | 12.6% | 12.8% |
| 2015 | 0.9% | 0.4% |
| 2014 | 13.5% | 12.6% |
| 2013 | 33.3% | 33.5% |
| 2012 | 15.8% | 16.4% |
| 2011 | 1.8% | 1.0% |
| 2010 | 16.2% | 17.4% |
| 2009 | 26.6% | 28.9% |
| 2008 | −36.5% | −37.0% |
| 2007 | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| 2006 | 15.1% | 15.7% |
| 2005 | 5.3% | 6.3% |
| 2004 (part of the year) | 8.9% | 8.8% |
Which fell further in bad times?#
A drawdown is how far a fund falls from its last high point. ITOT’s worst fall was −55.2%, from October 9, 2007 to March 9, 2009. It got back to that high on March 16, 2012.
VTI’s worst fall was −55.5%, from October 9, 2007 to March 9, 2009. It got back to that high on March 13, 2012.
Their daily moves had a correlation of 0.99. A correlation of 1 means two funds always move up and down together. Near 0 means they move on their own. So holding both adds little variety.
Why people choose ITOT or VTI#
ITOT. People who already use iShares funds, or a brokerage that favors them, often pick ITOT.
VTI. People who already use Vanguard funds often pick VTI.
Strategies that hold ITOT or VTI#
These classic strategies hold one or both at least some of the time. Each is a set of written rules you can open, test and copy.
- Baby Bear Portfolio (Muscular Portfolios), by Brian Livingston, 2018 (holds VTI)
- All Weather Portfolio (Ray Dalio’s All Seasons), by Ray Dalio and Tony Robbins, 2014 (holds VTI)
- Harry Browne’s Permanent Portfolio, by Harry Browne, 1999 (holds VTI)
- Golden Butterfly Portfolio, by Tyler (Portfolio Charts), 2015 (holds VTI)
- Three-Fund Portfolio (Taylor Larimore, Bogleheads), by Taylor Larimore, 2018 (holds VTI)
Other funds like ITOT and VTI#
Each fund has more funds that hold the same kind of investments, ranked by how closely they move with it: ITOT alternatives and VTI alternatives.
Test a mix of ITOT and VTI#
Open the builder, add ITOT and VTI, and give each a weight, such as 50% and 50%. The backtest shows how the mix would have done, with its worst drop, on daily prices. You can also add a rule, for example to switch between them, and compare. Read the full pages for ITOT and VTI, or see more ETF comparisons.
The details#
Both funds use Tactfolio’s stored daily prices, adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. They are compared only on days both traded, starting the later fund’s first day, so neither gets a head start. Correlation uses daily returns over the same days. Read what a backtest simulates for more on these measures.
Common questions#
Do ITOT and VTI hold the same stocks?#
Mostly. Both hold almost every US company of any size. VTI holds more of the smallest ones, which make up very little of either fund by value.
Which is cheaper, ITOT or VTI?#
Their yearly fees are the same or nearly so. The fee line above shows both and the date we checked them.
Which is cheaper, ITOT or VTI?#
Both charge 0.03% a year. Fees come from each issuer and were checked on October 17, 2026.
Which did better, ITOT or VTI?#
From January 2004 to October 2026, ITOT returned about 10.7% a year and VTI returned about 10.8% a year, with dividends reinvested. Their worst drops were −55.2% and −55.5%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.