VAE vs VEQ: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VAE comes out ahead on 8 of 9 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $3,383 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
VAE vs VEQ side by side
| VAE leads on 8, VEQ on 1 | VAEVanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF | VEQVanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | See the PDS | FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Asset class | International shares | International shares |
| Listed | Dec 2015 | Dec 2015 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.40% | 0.35%✓ |
| AUMfund size | $815m✓ | $632m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $10m✓ | $3.6m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.14% | 0.07% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | +3.2%✓ | −1.3% |
| 1 year | +22.7%✓ | +7.7% |
| 3 years p.a. | +20.5%✓ | +14.4% |
| 5 years p.a. | +9.1%✓ | +8.5% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $12,271✓ | $10,771 |
| 5 years ago | $15,427✓ | $15,022 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VAE vs VEQ price chart
Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
$10,000 put into VAE 5 years ago is worth $15,427 today, against $15,022 in VEQ. That is $405 more in VAE.
Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
What the fees cost you
VEQ's lower fee leaves about $3,383 more in your pocket over 20 years.
Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.
VAE and VEQ overlap
0 companies appear in both funds. Overlap is the share of the portfolio that is the same in both, counting the smaller weight of each shared company.
Add more ETFs and see the overlap in Compare ETFs →
Best-endeavours estimate. Built from each issuer's published holdings, which may be weeks or months old, may cover only part of a fund (some publish only their top 10) and are matched by company name. Figures may be incomplete or inaccurate. Check the issuer's website and PDS before relying on them. General information only.
Get the full VAE vs VEQ report
- Every holding of each ETF: the top 50 companies, with sectors and countries
- Exactly which companies they share, and how much of each
- Fees in dollars over 10, 20 and 30 years
- Every metric side by side, including the index each tracks
- ★ FREE BONUSIs now a good time to invest? The Market Health-O-Meter
FAQs
Which is better, VAE or VEQ?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VAE wins on 8 measures and VEQ on 1. VEQ is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.35% vs 0.40%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $3,383. VAE is the larger fund at $815m vs $632m. VAE has the better 1-year return: +22.7% vs +7.7%.
Which is cheaper, VAE or VEQ?
VAE charges 0.40% a year and VEQ charges 0.35% a year.
Can I hold both VAE and VEQ?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VAE is a international shares fund and VEQ is a international shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.