The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT:VTI) and the Vanguard Value ETF (NYSEMKT:VTV) are both strong investments that can help protect against risk, but they differ in their underlying portfolios.

While one provides comprehensive exposure to the entire U.S. market, the other tilts toward stable, dividend-paying stocks. Here’s how these ultra-popular ETFs compare in the ways that matter to investors.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.

Both funds offer an exceptionally low 0.03% expense ratio, making them among the most affordable options in their categories. For income-seekers, the value-focused VTV provides a higher trailing-12-month dividend payout than VTI.

Performance & risk comparison

What’s inside

VTI offers a massive portfolio of 3,484 stocks spanning small-, mid-, and large-cap companies. It tracks a broad index that encompasses both growth and value styles, providing a comprehensive view of the domestic equity market.

The portfolio is heavily weighted toward technology at around 34% of assets, followed by financial services and communication services. Its largest positions include Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.

VTV focuses on a more concentrated selection of 309 large-cap value stocks. Unlike its broader peer, it targets companies identified as undervalued by specific fundamental metrics. This strategy results in a distinct sector profile, led by financial services, which accounts for around 22% of assets, followed by healthcare and industrials. Its largest positions include JPMorgan Chase, Berkshire Hathaway, and Exxon Mobil.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investors

VTI and VTV both offer stability and consistency, but they take different approaches.

VTI provides maximum diversification, aiming to encapsulate the entire U.S. market. It holds stocks ranging from small-cap growth to large-cap value and everything in between, delivering broad exposure to the overall market.

This level of diversification can help limit risk. While tech stocks account for around one-third of the fund, mirroring the overall market, that’s still less than many other funds’ tech allocations. Compared to, say, a growth ETF, broad-market ETFs can help cushion against tech’s inevitable volatility.