VTSAX vs ITOT: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares against iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 23, 2004 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VTSAX beat ITOT?
Yes — measured from Jan 23, 2004 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VTSAX came out ahead: $99,991 versus $97,814 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.8% annual return against 10.7%.
What would $10,000 in VTSAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) on Jan 23, 2004 would be worth about $99,991 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 899.9% (10.8% per year). The same $10,000 in ITOT would be worth $97,814.
Which was riskier — VTSAX or ITOT?
VTSAX swung with an annualized volatility of 19.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -55.3%; ITOT ran at 18.7% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.46 for VTSAX vs 0.46 for ITOT.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 23, 2004 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VTSAX vs ITOT. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.