What are the primary differences between ITOT and VTI regarding fees and fund size?

Both ITOT and VTI share an identical expense ratio of 0.03%, meaning fee costs are not a differentiator. However, fund size varies significantly; VTI holds $692.2 billion in net assets compared to ITOT's $96.1 billion. This difference in scale impacts liquidity and trading ease, with the larger fund generally offering tighter bid-ask spreads due to its immense size. Therefore, while fees are the same, the operational dynamics differ due to VTI's substantially larger asset base and corresponding institutional appeal.

Do these ETFs track the same market, and how is the underlying index identified?

Both ITOT and VTI provide broad exposure to the U.S. stock market, categorised as Large Blend. However, specific details regarding the underlying index methodologies for each fund are not available in the provided data. Consequently, we cannot compare precise replication techniques or exact benchmark tracking. Investors should understand that while both aim to reflect total U.S. equity performance, the specific indexes they follow remain undisclosed, limiting transparency for those requiring precise benchmark tracking information to make informed investment decisions.

How long have these ETFs been active, and does it affect their investment suitability?

VTI launched on May 24, 2001, offering a longer historical track record than ITOT, which launched on January 20, 2004. Both funds provide established access to U.S. equities, with ITOT having a proven two-decade history and VTI exceeding that timeframe. These inception dates indicate long-standing management and operational history for both products. Investors might consider this operational longevity as a factor in assessing stability, although both have sufficient track records for typical long-term portfolio construction in U.S. equity markets.

How similar are the top holdings of ITOT and VTI in practice?

The top ten holdings for ITOT and VTI are identical, comprising NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, AMZN, GOOGL, AVGO, GOOG, META, MU, and TSLA. While the constituent names match, specific weights vary slightly; for instance, ITOT holds NVDA at 7.25% versus VTI's 6.87%, and AAPL at 6.61% versus 6.30%. This overlap results in highly similar portfolio composition and performance characteristics. The slight differences in weighting reflect distinct index tracking methodologies, but both remain heavily concentrated in these major U.S. technology and industrial giants.

What is the dividend yield difference between ITOT and VTI, and what does it mean?

Both ITOT and VTI provide modest income, with ITOT offering a 1.00% dividend yield and VTI a slightly higher 1.02% yield. The difference of 0.02 percentage points is negligible in practical terms. Neither fund is designed for high-income investors prioritising substantial cash distributions. These yields reflect broad market averages rather than a strategic focus on income generation. Investors should view the yields as similar and not a major deciding factor, as both funds are primarily total market growth vehicles rather than income-focused products.

Why does VTI appear more liquid than ITOT, and how does net assets affect trading?

VTI's $692.2 billion in net assets compared to ITOT's $96.1 billion means it is substantially larger. While both offer low expense ratios and broad U.S. equity exposure, fund size directly influences daily trading volume and bid-ask spreads. VTI's massive scale attracts significant institutional and retail flows, creating deeper liquidity and potentially reducing trading friction. ITOT remains a large fund, but it offers less trading ease relative to the sheer size of VTI, which may result in slightly wider spreads or less volume during certain market conditions.

How do concentration risks compare between the top holdings of ITOT and VTI?

Both ITOT and VTI exhibit concentration in the same major technology names, including Nvidia and Apple. ITOT's top holdings are weighted at NVDA 7.25% and AAPL 6.61%, while VTI holds NVDA at 6.87% and AAPL at 6.30%. The combined top two stocks constitute over 13% in ITOT and over 13% in VTI. This means investors in either fund bear similar concentration risk to the U.S. mega-cap tech sector, as these heavy weights represent a substantial portion of the overall asset weight.

If sector weights are not available, how can investors assess industry exposure?

Since specific sector weights are not available for ITOT or VTI, investors must rely on top holdings to infer exposure. Both funds feature dominant positions in technology and consumer discretionary sectors through NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, and AMZN. This suggests a similar sector allocation, with a bias towards large-cap growth stocks. Without sector breakdowns, precise exposure to industrial or financial sectors remains unclear. Investors should understand that total market ETFs inherently carry sector tilts based on market capitalisation, and these heavy tech weights likely drive the majority of the fund's performance.

What factors determine which total market ETF is more cost-efficient to trade?

For ITOT and VTI, the cost-efficiency of trading is determined by the expense ratio and the bid-ask spread. Both funds share an identical 0.03% expense ratio, making holding costs the same. Therefore, the primary practical differentiator is trading liquidity. VTI's much larger net assets of $692.2 billion versus ITOT's $96.1 billion suggests tighter spreads for active traders. However, for buy-and-hold investors, the difference in spreads is likely minor, making both cost-effective vehicles for long-term U.S. equity exposure.

Are there any significant transparency issues with these ETFs' underlying benchmarks?

The underlying index tracked is listed as 'not available' for both ITOT and VTI. This means that while these ETFs are marketed as total U.S. stock market trackers, precise replication techniques or full benchmark details cannot be confirmed from the available data. For most long-term investors, this might be acceptable as top holdings align. However, for those requiring exact methodology transparency, the absence of index details in the data is a notable limitation to consider.

What important disclaimer should investors note regarding this ETF comparison?

This comparison is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. While we compare fees, holdings, and dividends based on data from September 2026, past performance of ITOT or VTI does not guarantee future results. Investors should always conduct independent research, consider their own risk tolerance and investment goals, and potentially consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions in these ETFs or related market products.

ITOT vs VTI

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). This page examines fees, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market. Both ETFs carry a 0.03% expense ratio and offer exposure to U.S. equities. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

ITOT

Metric

VTI

0.03%

Expense Ratio

0.03%

1.00%

Dividend Yield

1.02%

$96.07B

Net Assets

$692.20B

2,468

Holdings

3,514

Jan 20, 2004

Inception Date

May 24, 2001

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Index Tracked

–

Large Blend

Fund Category

Large Blend

Both funds charge the same annual fee.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	ITOT	VTI
NVDANVIDIA Corporation	7.25%	6.87%
AAPLApple Inc.	6.61%	6.30%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation	4.94%	5.10%
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc.	3.36%	3.41%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc.	2.76%	2.70%
AVGOBroadcom Inc.	2.29%	2.37%
GOOGAlphabet Inc.	2.21%	2.12%
METAMeta Platforms, Inc.	1.98%	1.70%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.	1.55%	1.46%
TSLATesla, Inc.	1.38%	1.40%

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Investment Analysis

ITOT

Pros

ITOT maintains an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03 percent, minimising the drag of management fees on long-term total returns.
With net assets of 96.1 billion dollars, the fund possesses substantial scale to support efficient trading and broad institutional appeal.
Launched on January 20 2004, the ETF offers a proven two-decade track record for investors seeking established US market exposure.

Considerations

The fund’s dividend yield of 1.00 percent may provide insufficient income for investors prioritising immediate cash distribution requirements.
ITOT’s top holdings carry significant concentration, with Nvidia and Apple alone representing a substantial portion of the overall asset weight.
Specific details regarding the underlying index methodology are not available, potentially limiting transparency for those requiring precise benchmark tracking information.

VTI

Pros

VTI benefits from Vanguard’s reputation for low-cost structures, evidenced by its competitive expense ratio of 0.03 percent for broad US exposure.
As a large blend ETF with net assets of 692.2 billion dollars, it offers exceptional liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads for traders.
Inception on May 24 2001 provides the fund with one of the longest historical track records among major total market ETFs.

Considerations

The fund’s dividend yield of 1.02 percent is relatively modest, potentially underwhelming those specifically seeking high-income investment vehicles in current conditions.
VTI exhibits notable concentration risk as its top ten holdings include major technology names like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft with significant weights.
Details concerning the specific index tracked by the ETF are not available, which may obscure precise replication techniques for some investors.

About ITOT and VTI

ITOT (ITOT)

The iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) is a widely recognised exchange-traded fund designed to provide broad exposure to the U.S. equity market. It seeks to track the performance of a large blend of domestic stocks, encompassing both large-cap and mid-cap companies. With net assets of approximately USD 96.07 billion and a low expense ratio of 0.03%, it offers investors a cost-effective way to diversify their portfolio across numerous holdings. The fund has been active since January 2004, providing a long-standing history of data for analysis. While it currently reports a dividend yield of 1.00%, investors should note that values can rise and fall. Returns are not guaranteed, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This fund is generally suitable for investors seeking general market exposure rather than targeted sector bets.

VTI (VTI)

This ETF offers broad exposure to the US equity market by tracking a comprehensive index of publicly traded companies. Designed as a large blend fund, it holds thousands of individual stocks, ranging from massive multinational corporations to smaller domestic firms. With an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03%, it aims to provide cost-efficient long-term growth potential. The fund has a dividend yield of approximately 1.02%, reflecting the aggregate distributions from its holdings. Investors often consider this vehicle for core portfolio diversification, though it is essential to remember that stock market investments carry inherent risks, and values can fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and returns are not guaranteed.

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ITOT vs VTI

Fund Snapshot