VAP vs REIT: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VAP comes out ahead on 6 of 9 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $2,089 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.
VAP vs REIT side by side
| VAP leads on 6, REIT on 3 | VAPVanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF | REITVanEck FTSE International Property (AUD Hedged) ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index | FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed ex Australia Rental Index, hedged to AUD |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | VanEck |
| Asset class | Property & infrastructure | Property & infrastructure |
| Listed | Oct 2010 | Apr 2019 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.23% | 0.20%✓ |
| AUMfund size | $2.8bn✓ | $798m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $26m✓ | $22m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.04%✓ | 0.11% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −2.1%✓ | −4.9% |
| 1 year | −14.3% | +6.4%✓ |
| 3 years p.a. | +8.9% | +8.9% |
| 5 years p.a. | +2.3%✓ | −0.5% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $8,566 | $10,640✓ |
| 5 years ago | $11,195✓ | $9,767 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VAP vs REIT 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 VAP 5 years ago is worth $11,195 today, against $9,767 in REIT. That is $1,428 more in VAP.
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
REIT's lower fee leaves about $2,089 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.
VAP and REIT 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 VAP vs REIT 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, VAP or REIT?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VAP wins on 6 measures and REIT on 3. REIT is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.20% vs 0.23%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $2,089. VAP is the larger fund at $2.8bn vs $798m. REIT has the better 1-year return: +6.4% vs −14.3%.
Which is cheaper, VAP or REIT?
VAP charges 0.23% a year and REIT charges 0.20% a year.
Can I hold both VAP and REIT?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VAP is a property & infrastructure fund and REIT is a property & infrastructure fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.