🤝 BFF Take
Near-Perfect Twins — VTI Has a Slight Edge in Track Record and AUM
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF) are functionally identical for most investors. Both charge 0.03% and cover the entire US stock market including large, mid, and small-cap stocks. VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index with ~3,700 holdings while ITOT tracks the S&P Total Market Index with ~2,400 holdings — the difference in holding count reflects index construction methodology, not a meaningful difference in exposure. VTI has a larger asset base ($480B+ vs $75B) and a slightly longer track record, which gives it a marginal edge in liquidity. If you already use Vanguard, go VTI. Fidelity or iShares user? ITOT is perfectly fine.
📋 Quick Takeaways
🔄Same 0.03% expense ratio and nearly identical US total market exposure — functionally interchangeable
📊VTI holds ~3,700 stocks (CRSP index); ITOT holds ~2,400 (S&P Total Market) — small-cap coverage differs slightly
🏦VTI has 6x more assets ($480B vs $75B) — marginally better liquidity, though both are extremely liquid
📊 Data-Based Take: VTI has the lower fee
Whether the lower-cost fund suits your situation depends on your existing holdings, account type, tax situation, and how you use each fund. This is a cost comparison, not a personalized recommendation.
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Reviewed by a CFA® Charterholder · Data updated Jun 2026 · Educational only, not financial advice
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
ITOT
iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF
📋 VTI vs ITOT — Key Facts Side by Side
| Metric |
VTI |
ITOT |
| Fund Name |
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF |
iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF |
| Issuer |
Vanguard |
iShares |
| Tracks Index |
CRSP US Total Market |
S&P Total Market |
| Expense Ratio |
0.03% |
0.03% |
| Cost per $10K/yr |
$3.00 |
$3.00 |
| AUM |
$480B |
$75B |
| Holdings |
3,700 |
2,400 |
| Inception |
2001 |
2004 |
| 1-Year Return |
+17.20% |
+17.10% |
| 3-Year Return |
+9.80% |
+9.75% |
| 5-Year Return |
+14.10% |
+14.05% |
| Avg Bid-Ask Spread |
0.00% |
0.00% |
Data from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.
📊 VTI vs ITOT — Annualised Returns
Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🎯 Should You Buy VTI or ITOT?
Choose if...
VTI
- You want broader diversification (3,700 holdings vs 2,400)
- You want the entire US stock market — large, mid, and small cap in one fund
Choose if...
ITOT
- You want the entire US stock market — large, mid, and small cap in one fund
- You already use iShares and prefer staying within their fund family
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❓ VTI vs ITOT — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VTI and ITOT?
VTI and ITOT are nearly identical US total market ETFs with the same 0.03% expense ratio. The main differences are the underlying index (VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market with ~3,700 stocks; ITOT tracks S&P Total Market with ~2,400 stocks) and fund size (VTI has ~$480B in assets vs ITOT's ~$75B). For practical purposes, both provide complete US market coverage and will have nearly identical performance over time.
Is VTI or ITOT better?
For most investors, either works fine. VTI has a slight advantage in AUM, track record length (launched 2001 vs 2004), and slightly broader small-cap coverage through the CRSP index. ITOT is a fine choice if you prefer iShares or invest at a brokerage where iShares ETFs trade commission-free with additional benefits. The performance difference over any meaningful time period is negligible.
Do VTI and ITOT hold the same stocks?
Mostly yes, with minor differences at the small-cap end. Both hold all the same mega-cap, large-cap, and mid-cap US stocks. Where they differ is the exact small-cap cutoff and weighting — VTI's CRSP index captures more micro-cap names than ITOT's S&P Total Market index. This difference has virtually zero impact on performance since these tiny companies represent less than 1% of total assets.
Can I hold both VTI and ITOT?
You could, but there's no diversification benefit — you'd just be paying two sets of (admittedly very low) fees for essentially the same exposure. Pick one and stick with it. If you find yourself holding both from different accounts, that's harmless but unnecessary.
Should I use VTI or ITOT in my Fidelity account?
Both trade on major exchanges and are available at Fidelity. If Fidelity offers commission-free trading on either (check current promotions), that's a factor. Otherwise, you might also consider FSKAX (Fidelity's own zero-fee total market index fund) or SCHB (Schwab's 0.03% total market ETF) as alternatives — all provide essentially the same exposure.
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ℹ️ Data shown is for educational purposes and may not reflect the most current figures. Returns are trailing price-based and exclude dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ETF BFF is not a licensed financial advisor — this is not personalized financial advice.