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ETF Comparison

VEA vs VXUS: Developed Only, or the Whole Non-US Market?

A head-to-head of Vanguard's FTSE Developed Markets ETF and Total International Stock ETF covering country mix, cost, and overlap.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

  • VEAInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VXUSInvestors 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

VEA has outpaced VXUS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 27.42% total return against 25.06%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VEA has compounded at 10.04% a year, against 9.38% for VXUS. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Jan 2011Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
VEA16.04%27.42%21.38%10.42%10.04%7.73%15.8%0.951.38-13.5%
VXUS14.26%25.06%20.47%9.50%9.38%6.82%15.4%0.921.34-13.6%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jan 2011” measures every fund from January 28, 2011 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.
MetricVEAVXUS
Full nameVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETFVanguard Total International Stock ETF
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Last Close$72.39 as of August 19, 2026$86.44 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield2.08%1.79%
Distribution Safety Score™ 8988
Expense ratio0.03%0.05%
AUM$239B$164B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexFTSE Developed All Cap ex US IndexFTSE Global All Cap ex US Index
ObjectiveTrack the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index.Track the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, covering non-U.S. developed and emerging stocks.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/20/200701/26/2011
Beta0.970.92
Last dividend$0.3770$0.3860
Ex-dividend date06/18/202606/18/2026

Bottom lineVEA and VXUS 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.

VEA vs VXUS: developed markets or total international?

VEA is developed markets outside the US. VXUS adds emerging markets. Breadth is the decision.

VEAVXUS
IndexFTSE Developed All Cap ex US IndexFTSE Global All Cap ex US Index
Expense ratio0.03%0.05%
Distribution yield2.08%1.79%
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Income calculator

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

Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4703B

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 VEA and VXUS.

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Quick verdict

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VEA offers the higher yield at 2.08% vs 1.79% for VXUS. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VEA is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.05%.

They track different benchmarks: VEA is linked to FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VEA is the larger fund by assets ($239B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VEA would generate roughly $17.33/month, while VXUS would produce $14.92/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VEA yield2.08%
VXUS yield1.79%
Monthly diff on $10K$2.42

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, VEA would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $50 for VXUS (simplified, not compounded). The $20.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

VEA ER0.03%
VXUS ER0.05%

Strategy & risk

VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index with an international approach, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index with an international approach. Beta is 0.97 for VEA and 0.92 for VXUS — effectively similar market sensitivity.

VEA beta0.97
VXUS beta0.92

Fund details

VEA is managed by Vanguard (launched 07/20/2007) with $239B in assets. VXUS is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2011) with $164B in assets.

VEA AUM$239B
VXUS AUM$164B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between VEA and VXUS?

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index — developed markets outside the US. VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, which adds emerging markets. Cost is 0.03% versus 0.05%; distributions are 2.08% and 1.79% as of August 2026. Developed-only versus the whole non-US market is the decision.

What is the current distribution yield for VEA and VXUS?

VEA currently distributes 2.08% and VXUS 1.79%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is VEA or VXUS better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VEA 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 VEA and VXUS?

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 VEA or VXUS 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: VEA scores 89, VXUS scores 88. 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, VEA or VXUS?

VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in VEA vs VXUS generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in VEA would generate roughly $17.33 per month ($208.00 annually). The same in VXUS would produce about $14.92 per month ($179.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VEA or VXUS?

VEA has outpaced VXUS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 27.42% total return against 25.06%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VEA has compounded at 10.04% a year, against 9.38% for VXUS. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

VEA vs VXUS — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

VEA and VXUS are both Vanguard index ETFs tracking non-U.S. equity markets, but they have different geographic scope. VEA tracks developed markets only—Europe, Japan, Australia, and similar economies. VXUS includes developed markets plus emerging markets, adding exposure to China, India, Brazil, and other higher-growth regions. The choice between them hinges on whether you want developed-market stability or broader international diversification.

How they differ

The core difference is geography: VEA excludes emerging markets entirely, while VXUS includes them alongside developed markets. This makes VXUS materially more exposed to growth volatility and currency swings in countries like China and India. VEA's distribution rate of 2.05% tops VXUS's 1.76%, reflecting developed markets' higher dividend yields relative to their emerging-market peers. Both charge the same 0.05% expense ratio and pay quarterly. VEA carries a slightly higher beta of 0.97 versus VXUS's 0.92, suggesting developed markets in this snapshot moved a bit more in line with the overall market; however, the inclusion of emerging-market volatility in VXUS may not be fully captured in that historical figure.

Who each is best for

  • VEA: Fits investors seeking concentrated exposure to stable, developed economies with established dividend-paying companies. Appeals to income-focused strategies that prioritize higher current yield and lower economic volatility.
  • VXUS: Fits investors wanting comprehensive international coverage that captures growth from emerging markets. Suits long-term allocators who accept emerging-market volatility in exchange for broader geographic and economic diversification.

Key risks to know

  • Emerging-market currency and political risk (VXUS specific). VXUS's emerging-market holdings expose investors to currency fluctuations and policy shifts in less-developed financial systems. Developed-market exposure in VEA comes with more stable currencies and regulatory environments.
  • Developed-market secular headwinds (VEA specific). VEA's focus on mature economies—particularly Europe and Japan—carries demographic and growth-rate headwinds that may constrain long-term returns relative to global baskets that include faster-growing regions.
  • Overlapping core holdings with different weights. Both track FTSE indexes and hold many of the same developed-market names; their returns will often move in tandem, but their emerging-market exposure (or lack thereof) will diverge during periods of EM strength or weakness.
  • Currency exposure. Both funds hold significant foreign-currency positions; broad dollar strength erodes returns even if underlying stocks hold steady.

Bottom line

If you want higher income and lower volatility tied to established developed markets, VEA's 2.05% yield and maturer geographic mix stand out. If you're building a long-term international sleeve and can tolerate emerging-market swings, VXUS offers exposure to faster-growth regions at the same cost. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and your choice may depend on how much emerging-market volatility fits your overall portfolio.

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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