VDGR vs VDBA: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VDGR comes out ahead on 9 of 9 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.
VDGR vs VDBA side by side
| VDGR leads on 9, VDBA on 0 | VDGRVanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF | VDBAVanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | See the PDS | See the PDS |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Asset class | Diversified (all-in-one) | Diversified (all-in-one) |
| Listed | Nov 2017 | Nov 2017 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| AUMfund size | $1.6bn✓ | $942m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $33m✓ | $9.5m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.03%✓ | 0.06% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −0.8%✓ | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +5.6%✓ | +3.7% |
| 3 years p.a. | +11.6%✓ | +9.2% |
| 5 years p.a. | +5.9%✓ | +4.0% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,558✓ | $10,371 |
| 5 years ago | $13,332✓ | $12,179 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VDGR vs VDBA 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 VDGR 5 years ago is worth $13,332 today, against $12,179 in VDBA. That is $1,153 more in VDGR.
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
VDGR and VDBA charge the same fee, so fees make no difference between them.
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.
VDGR and VDBA overlap
398 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.
| Biggest shared holdings | % of VDGR | % of VDBA |
|---|---|---|
| 29.81% | 49.50% | |
| 3.09% | 2.23% | |
| 2.53% | 1.83% | |
| 1.93% | 1.38% | |
| 1.80% | 1.28% | |
| 1.33% | 0.95% | |
| 1.33% | 0.95% | |
| 1.22% | 0.88% | |
| 1.20% | 0.87% | |
| 1.16% | 0.84% | |
| 0.88% | 0.64% | |
| 0.89% | 0.63% |
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 VDGR vs VDBA 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, VDGR or VDBA?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VDGR wins on 9 measures and VDBA on 0. VDGR is the larger fund at $1.6bn vs $942m. VDGR has the better 1-year return: +5.6% vs +3.7%. VDGR has the better 3-year return: +11.6% a year vs +9.2%.
Which is cheaper, VDGR or VDBA?
VDGR charges 0.27% a year and VDBA charges 0.27% a year.
Can I hold both VDGR and VDBA?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VDGR is a diversified (all-in-one) fund and VDBA is a diversified (all-in-one) fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.