🤝 BFF Take
VXUS for One International Fund, VEA for Developed-Only Precision
VXUS is the better choice for investors who want a single international fund — it covers both developed and emerging markets in a market-cap-weighted portfolio (~80% developed, ~20% emerging). VEA is right if you want to manage your emerging market exposure separately, or if you want to deliberately exclude it. At 0.07% vs VEA's 0.05%, the cost difference is negligible. The real question is whether you want emerging market exposure built in.
📋 Quick Takeaways
🌍VXUS holds 8,000+ stocks globally (developed + emerging); VEA holds 3,800+ in developed markets only
💰VXUS costs 0.07%; VEA costs 0.05% — a $2/year difference per $10K. Not a deciding factor.
🎯VXUS contains all of VEA's developed-market holdings plus ~20% emerging markets (China, India, Brazil, Taiwan)
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Reviewed by a CFA® Charterholder · Data updated Jun 2026 · Educational only, not financial advice
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
📋 VXUS vs VEA — Key Facts Side by Side
| Metric |
VXUS |
VEA |
| Fund Name |
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF |
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF |
| Issuer |
Vanguard |
Vanguard |
| Tracks Index |
FTSE Global All Cap ex US |
FTSE Developed All Cap ex US |
| Expense Ratio |
0.07% |
0.05% ✓ |
| Cost per $10K/yr |
$7.00 |
$5.00 |
| AUM |
$75B+ |
$120B+ |
| Holdings |
8,160 |
3,854 |
| Inception |
2011 |
2007 |
| 1-Year Return |
+11.80% |
+12.40% |
| 3-Year Return |
+5.40% |
+6.10% |
| 5-Year Return |
+7.20% |
+7.80% |
| Avg Bid-Ask Spread |
0.01% |
0.01% |
Data from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.
📊 VXUS vs VEA — Annualised Returns
Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🎯 Should You Buy VXUS or VEA?
Choose if...
VXUS
- You want broader diversification (8,160 holdings vs 3,854)
- You want geographic diversification beyond US stocks
Choose if...
VEA
- You want the lowest fees — saves ~$2/yr per $10K vs VXUS
- You want geographic diversification beyond US stocks
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❓ VXUS vs VEA — Frequently Asked Questions
Does VXUS include VEA's holdings?
Yes. VEA's developed-market holdings make up roughly 75–80% of VXUS by weight. The remaining 20–25% is emerging markets — primarily China, India, Taiwan, Brazil, and South Korea.
Is emerging market exposure worth it in VXUS?
Historically, emerging markets have added diversification but with higher volatility. Over the last decade, they have underperformed developed markets significantly. The growth story in markets like India remains compelling long-term. At a minimum, VXUS's built-in emerging exposure means you don't have to make a separate decision about VWO.
How much of VXUS is China?
China typically represents 7–10% of VXUS depending on market conditions. This is the primary political and regulatory risk concern for investors considering VXUS vs VEA. If you want to exclude China exposure, VEA is the cleaner choice.
New to ETF investing? See answers to the most common ETF questions →
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.