VDHG vs VDAL: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
It is a dead heat: 3 measures each. 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.
VDHG vs VDAL side by side
| VDHG leads on 3, VDAL on 3 | VDHGVanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF | VDALVanguard Diversified All Growth Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | No single index: a mix of Vanguard index funds | No single index: a mix of Vanguard index funds |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Asset class | Diversified (all-in-one) | International shares |
| Listed | Nov 2017 | Mar 2025 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| AUMfund size | $4.1bn✓ | $515m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $59m✓ | $33m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.03%✓ | 0.06% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −0.5% | −0.3%✓ |
| 1 year | +7.5% | +8.8%✓ |
| 3 years p.a. | +13.8% | – |
| 5 years p.a. | +7.7% | – |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,752 | $10,881✓ |
| 5 years ago | $14,499 | – |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VDHG vs VDAL 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
Only VDHG has a 5 years record: $10,000 then is worth $14,499 today.
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
VDHG and VDAL 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.
VDHG and VDAL overlap
399 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 VDHG | % of VDAL |
|---|---|---|
| 3.99% | 4.47% | |
| 3.27% | 3.65% | |
| 2.48% | 2.75% | |
| 2.31% | 2.56% | |
| 1.71% | 1.90% | |
| 1.70% | 1.89% | |
| 1.58% | 1.76% | |
| 1.55% | 1.74% | |
| 1.49% | 1.67% | |
| 1.14% | 1.28% | |
| 1.14% | 1.26% | |
| 1.12% | 1.26% |
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 VDHG vs VDAL 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, VDHG or VDAL?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VDHG wins on 3 measures and VDAL on 3. VDHG is the larger fund at $4.1bn vs $515m. VDAL has the better 1-year return: +8.8% vs +7.5%. VDHG has the tighter bid/ask spread (0.03%), so it is usually slightly cheaper to trade.
Which is cheaper, VDHG or VDAL?
VDHG charges 0.27% a year and VDAL charges 0.27% a year.
Can I hold both VDHG and VDAL?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VDHG is a diversified (all-in-one) fund and VDAL is a international shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.