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ETF Comparison

SCHB vs VTI: Same Job, Schwab or Vanguard Total Market?

A head-to-head of Schwab U.S. Broad Market and Vanguard Total Stock Market covering construction and cost, not a yield gap.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • SCHBInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VTIInvestors who want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.

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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.

SCHB has lagged VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.06% total return against 16.09%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHB has compounded at 14.87% a year, ahead of VTI at 14.86%. 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 Nov 2009Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SCHB13.46%16.06%22.81%12.58%14.87%14.34%15.1%1.071.54-19.3%
VTI13.35%16.09%22.79%12.47%14.86%14.35%15.4%1.051.52-19.3%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 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 Nov 2009” measures every fund from November 3, 2009 — 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.
MetricSCHBVTI
Full nameSchwab U.S. Broad Market ETFVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
IssuerSchwabVanguard
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market IndexMorningstar US Total Market Index
Last Close$29.61 as of October 2, 2026$377.99 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate1.09%1.01%
Trailing 12-month yield1.04%1.04%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.09%1.01%
Expense ratio0.03%0.03%
AUM$44.9B$700B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveProvide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.Seeks to track the Morningstar US Total Market Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date11/03/200905/24/2001
Beta1.031.0379
Last dividend$0.0809$0.9555
Ex-dividend date09/23/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineChoose SCHB if you want broad equity exposure. Choose VTI if you want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.

Two total US stock market books

Both hold the US market. Cost and construction decide whether a second fund adds anything.

SCHBVTI
JobUS total stock marketUS total stock market
Expense ratio0.03%0.03%
Fund size$44.9B$700B
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Income calculator

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

Schwab
ETFs33
Total AUM$612B

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

Schwab is a major provider of low-cost, broad-based ETFs known for making investing accessible to individual investors through its discount brokerage platform. The issuer's fund lineup spans multiple categories including core index funds, dividend and income-focused strategies, factor-based approaches, international exposure, fixed income, and digital assets, with popular core holdings like SCHB (U.S. broad market) and SCHD (dividend appreciation) alongside more specialized thematic offerings. Schwab's ETF suite is characterized by its breadth across asset classes and investment styles, competitive expense ratios, and integration with its retail brokerage ecosystem.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHB.

See all Schwab ETFs
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4676B

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 VTI.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

SCHB (Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SCHB offers the higher yield at 1.09% vs 1.01% for VTI. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

They have different reference exposures: SCHB is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index while VTI is linked to Morningstar US Total Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VTI is the larger fund by assets ($700B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHB would generate roughly $27.25 cash per distribution, while VTI would produce $25.25 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHB yield1.09%
VTI yield1.01%
Cash diff on $10K$2.00

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHB would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $30 for VTI (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.

SCHB ER0.03%
VTI ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

SCHB tracks Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index with an index approach, while VTI tracks Morningstar US Total Market Index. Beta is 1.03 for SCHB and 1.0379 for VTI — effectively similar market sensitivity.

SCHB beta1.03
VTI beta1.0379

Fund details

SCHB is managed by Schwab (launched 11/03/2009) with $44.9B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $700B in assets.

SCHB AUM$44.9B
VTI AUM$700B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SCHB and VTI?

SCHB (Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) both hold the US stock market. Breadth and cost are the live gap. Cost is 0.03% versus 0.03%; size is $44.9B versus $700B. Distributions are 1.09% and 1.01% as of October 2026.

What is the current distribution rate for SCHB and VTI?

SCHB currently distributes 1.09% and VTI 1.01%, 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 SCHB or VTI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SCHB 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.

Can I hold both SCHB and VTI?

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 SCHB or VTI safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: SCHB scores 100, VTI scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SCHB or VTI?

SCHB and VTI both charge the same expense ratio of 0.03%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.

How much income does $10,000 in SCHB vs VTI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHB would generate roughly $27.25 cash per distribution ($109.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $25.25 cash per distribution ($101.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHB or VTI?

SCHB has lagged VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.06% total return against 16.09%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHB has compounded at 14.87% a year, ahead of VTI at 14.86%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SCHB vs VTI — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

Overview

SCHB and VTI are both broad U.S. stock market ETFs designed to track the overall performance of American equities with minimal fees. SCHB tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index, while VTI follows the Morningstar US Total Market Index. The key distinction is scale: VTI is a significantly larger fund with a longer track record, while SCHB offers comparable exposure at a newer inception date and smaller asset base.

How they differ

Both funds charge 0.03% in annual fees and distribute quarterly dividends around 1.09% and 1.01%, making costs and income nearly identical. The second difference is size: VTI holds $700B in assets versus $44.9B for SCHB, reflecting VTI's earlier 05/24/2001 launch and status as one of the largest total market ETFs available. Third, their underlying indexes differ slightly—SCHB tracks Dow Jones' broad market construction while VTI uses Morningstar's, which may produce marginal differences in stock selection, weighting, and rebalancing discipline, though both aim at comprehensive U.S. equity exposure. Beta figures are nearly identical at 1.03 for SCHB and 1.0379 for VTI, confirming their similar market sensitivity. Price per share reflects scale and inception date rather than performance quality: SCHB trades at $29.61 while VTI is at $377.99.

Key risks to know

  • Index tracking risk: Both funds aim to replicate their underlying indexes, but SCHB and VTI track different constructions (Dow Jones versus Morningstar). Holdings overlap likely exceeds 90%, but subtle differences in rebalancing, dividend treatment, and stock inclusion may cause cumulative performance divergence over time—verify index methodologies if precision matters to your allocation.
  • Sector concentration: As broad market funds, both carry full equity-market risk, including cyclical downturns, interest-rate sensitivity, and concentration in mega-cap technology names that dominate current market-cap weighting. A broad recession or sector rotation would affect both similarly.
  • Dividend sustainability: Distribution rates around 1% depend on underlying company earnings and payout policies. Economic stress or lower corporate profitability could compress yields, though both funds are diversified enough to weather idiosyncratic sector shocks.

Bottom line

If you prioritize lowest cost and simplest broad-market access, both deliver—the 0.03% fee is competitive either way. The choice hinges on fund-family preference and any existing ecosystem advantages (Schwab brokerage relationships, Vanguard investor loyalty) rather than performance or fee differences. Past results don't guarantee future outcomes.

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

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.