VGS vs IXJ: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VGS comes out ahead on 6 of 9 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $15,787 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
VGS vs IXJ side by side
| VGS leads on 6, IXJ on 3 | VGSVanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF | IXJiShares Global Healthcare ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | MSCI World ex Australia Index | S&P Global 1200 Healthcare Sector Index |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | iShares |
| Asset class | International shares | International shares |
| Listed | Nov 2014 | Mar 2009 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.18%✓ | 0.41% |
| AUMfund size | $18.7bn✓ | $1.5bn |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $532m✓ | $11m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | +1.9% | +2.0%✓ |
| 1 year | +10.1% | +14.9%✓ |
| 3 years p.a. | +17.9%✓ | +6.2% |
| 5 years p.a. | +11.8%✓ | +5.9% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $11,007 | $11,489✓ |
| 5 years ago | $17,457✓ | $13,308 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VGS vs IXJ 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 VGS 5 years ago is worth $17,457 today, against $13,308 in IXJ. That is $4,149 more in VGS.
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
VGS's lower fee leaves about $15,787 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.
VGS and IXJ overlap
43 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 VGS | % of IXJ |
|---|---|---|
| 1.02% | 11.62% | |
| 0.70% | 6.75% | |
| 0.51% | 5.34% | |
| 0.40% | 4.15% | |
| 0.37% | 4.12% | |
| 0.32% | 3.88% | |
| 0.29% | 3.35% | |
| 0.28% | 2.90% | |
| 0.27% | 3.27% | |
| 0.25% | 2.84% | |
| 0.20% | 2.39% | |
| 0.19% | 2.07% |
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 VGS vs IXJ 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, VGS or IXJ?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VGS wins on 6 measures and IXJ on 3. VGS is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.18% vs 0.41%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $15,787. VGS is the larger fund at $18.7bn vs $1.5bn. IXJ has the better 1-year return: +14.9% vs +10.1%.
Which is cheaper, VGS or IXJ?
VGS charges 0.18% a year and IXJ charges 0.41% a year.
Can I hold both VGS and IXJ?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VGS is a international shares fund and IXJ is a international shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.