EQAL vs VTI
Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EQAL or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. EQAL is less concentrated, with 5.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EQAL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $796M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.64% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,024 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +11.93% | +14.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.28% | +16.83%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.75% | +22.56%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.07% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,071 | $18,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 23, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 29, 2014 to Oct 9, 2026 (11.8 years).
EQAL vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 11.8 years both funds cover.
EQAL vs VTI Performance
Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EQAL returned +14.28% while VTI returned +16.83%. Year to date, EQAL is up 11.93% versus a gain of 14.54% for VTI.
Over three years, EQAL compounded at +15.75% per year against +22.56% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.07% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.11% annualized vs +8.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EQAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 15.4% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -40.9% for EQAL and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQAL charges 0.20% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQAL currently yields 1.64% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.6% of EQAL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 92.5% of VTI's money is in holdings EQAL also owns.
Most of EQAL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, EQAL as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
966 positions in common, counted across the 1,009 positions we hold weights for in EQAL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 2,024 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 254 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EQAL (5.4% of the fund), and 23 for EQAL that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EQAL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.07% | 6.40% | 6.33% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.07% | 6.29% | 6.22% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.08% | 4.79% | 4.71% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.06% | 3.65% | 3.59% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.06% | 2.90% | 2.84% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.06% | 2.56% | 2.50% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.07% | 1.70% | 1.63% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.09% | 1.35% | 1.26% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.07% | 1.31% | 1.24% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.06% | 1.29% | 1.23% |
94.6% of EQAL is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EQAL or VTI?
EQAL has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQAL or VTI?
Over the past year EQAL returned +14.28% vs +16.83% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), EQAL annualized +8.26% vs +12.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQAL or VTI?
EQAL has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EQAL -40.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both EQAL and VTI?
EQAL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EQAL and VTI?
94.6% of EQAL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 92.5% of VTI's is in holdings EQAL also owns. They hold 966 positions in common, counted across the 1,009 positions we hold weights for in EQAL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQAL or VTI?
EQAL yields 1.64% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EQAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EQAL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. EQAL is less concentrated, with 5.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.