DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

IJR vs VB: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 16, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • IJRInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VBInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

IJR has outpaced VB over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.87% total return against 13.78%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VB has compounded at 10.72% a year, ahead of IJR at 10.06%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Jan 2004Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
IJR14.02%16.87%15.30%5.59%10.06%9.55%20.0%0.510.75-28.0%
VB11.29%13.78%16.58%6.21%10.72%9.61%18.7%0.600.87-25.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jan 2004” measures every fund from January 30, 2004 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricIJRVB
Full nameiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETFVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF
IssueriSharesVanguard
Underlying indexS&P SmallCap 600 IndexMorningstar US Small Cap Index
Last Close$135.91 as of October 16, 2026$284.32 as of October 16, 2026
Distribution rate1.50%1.19%
Trailing 12-month yield1.26%1.28%
Distribution Safety Score™ 7993
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.19%1.11%
Expense ratio0.06%0.03%
AUM$103B$78.2B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveProvide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.Seeks to track the Morningstar US Small Cap Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date05/22/200001/26/2004
Beta1.071.11
Last dividend$0.509$0.849
Ex-dividend date09/15/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineIJR and VB are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Fees and payouts are close too, so it comes down to which your broker offers commission-free and any share-price or tax-lot preference.

Model this comparison:
Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

iShares
ETFs468
Total AUM$4.70T

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IJR.

See all ETFs from iShares
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4.71T

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VB.

See all ETFs from Vanguard

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Quick verdict

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and VB (Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IJR offers the higher yield at 1.50% vs 1.19% for VB. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VB is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.06%.

They have different reference exposures: IJR is linked to S&P SmallCap 600 Index while VB is linked to Morningstar US Small Cap Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

IJR is the larger fund by assets ($103B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IJR would generate roughly $37.50 cash per distribution, while VB would produce $29.75 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IJR yield1.50%
VB yield1.19%
Cash diff on $10K$7.75

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IJR would cost approximately $60 in fees vs $30 for VB (simplified, not compounded). The $30.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IJR ER0.06%
VB ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index with a small caps approach, while VB tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Index with a small caps approach. Beta is 1.07 for IJR and 1.11 for VB — effectively similar market sensitivity.

IJR beta1.07
VB beta1.11

Fund details

IJR is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $103B in assets. VB is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $78.2B in assets.

IJR AUM$103B
VB AUM$78.2B
Ready to act?
Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

Enjoyed this page?

Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for IJR and VB?

IJR currently distributes 1.50% and VB 1.19%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is IJR or VB better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. IJR currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between IJR and VB?

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index with a small caps approach, while VB (Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Index with a small caps approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both IJR and VB?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is IJR or VB safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — VB scores 93, IJR scores 79, so VB's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, IJR or VB?

IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VB charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in IJR vs VB generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IJR would generate roughly $37.50 cash per distribution ($150.00 annually). The same in VB would produce about $29.75 cash per distribution ($119.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IJR or VB?

IJR has outpaced VB over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.87% total return against 13.78%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VB has compounded at 10.72% a year, ahead of IJR at 10.06%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

IJR vs VB — at a glance

Generated October 17, 2026.

Overview

IJR and VB are both small-cap equity ETFs tracking index-based strategies in the US market, but they differ in their underlying index, cost structure, and yield. The funds' index construction and turnover drive modest but meaningful differences in yield and expense ratios. IJR offers a higher distribution rate of 1.50% compared to VB's 1.19%, suggesting a different composition of dividend-paying stocks or varying index methodology; both distribute quarterly. IJR has a larger asset base at $103B versus $78.2B, while VB carries a slightly higher beta of 1.11 compared to IJR's 1.07, indicating marginally greater sensitivity to market moves.

Who each is best for

IJR: Fits investors who favor the S&P SmallCap 600's methodology and want access to a slightly higher dividend yield, willing to accept a modestly higher expense ratio in exchange for a larger fund with longer history (inception 05/22/2000).

VB: Designed for investors prioritizing the lowest possible cost, with preference for Morningstar's small-cap index construction and willing to accept a lower distribution rate. The 24948345303 gap in AUM is acceptable for long-term holders.

Key risks to know

  • Index concentration risk: Small-cap indexes can exhibit meaningful sector or individual-stock concentration; neither fund discloses overlap with the other, so comparing their top 10 holdings is worthwhile before combining them in a portfolio.
  • Higher systematic volatility: Both funds carry betas above 1.0 (IJR at 1.07, VB at 1.11), meaning they amplify market swings relative to the broader market, particularly during downturns.
  • Yield sustainability tied to earnings: The modest yield difference between them (1.50% versus 1.19%) reflects dividend capacity of underlying holdings. Small-cap companies have less stable cash flows than large-cap peers, so dividend coverage can tighten in recessions.
  • Index methodology drift: S&P and Morningstar use different market-cap thresholds and inclusion rules; their constituents will overlap but diverge, creating style and sector tilts that may not be obvious from summary statistics alone.

Bottom line

If you prioritize cost efficiency and accept a lower yield, VB's 0.03% expense ratio and Morningstar methodology appeal most. If you prefer a slightly higher distribution rate and the S&P SmallCap 600's longer track record, IJR's 1.50% yield and larger asset base may fit better. Both track indexes mechanically, so the choice hinges on index preference, fee tolerance, and desired yield level—not stock-picking skill. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio

See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.

Start Free Open in Comparator Browse Screener

These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.