VSO vs SMLL: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VSO comes out ahead on 6 of 10 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $6,122 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.
VSO vs SMLL side by side
| VSO leads on 6, SMLL on 4 | VSOVanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF | SMLLBetashares Australian Small Companies Select ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index | See the PDS |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | Betashares |
| Asset class | Australian shares | Australian shares |
| Listed | May 2011 | Apr 2017 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.30%✓ | 0.39% |
| AUMfund size | $1.2bn✓ | $369m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $15m✓ | −$13m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.07%✓ | 0.38% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −2.0% | −0.4%✓ |
| 1 year | −0.1% | +4.3%✓ |
| 3 years p.a. | +11.5% | +13.6%✓ |
| 5 years p.a. | +4.8%✓ | +4.7% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $9,993 | $10,433✓ |
| 5 years ago | $12,644✓ | $12,610 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VSO vs SMLL 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 VSO 5 years ago is worth $12,644 today, against $12,610 in SMLL. That is $34 more in VSO.
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
VSO's lower fee leaves about $6,122 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.
VSO and SMLL overlap
44 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 VSO | % of SMLL |
|---|---|---|
| 1.16% | 6.43% | |
| 1.10% | 6.35% | |
| 1.01% | 5.87% | |
| 0.80% | 4.58% | |
| 0.67% | 3.20% | |
| 0.65% | 2.74% | |
| 0.60% | 3.79% | |
| 0.58% | 3.47% | |
| 0.53% | 2.79% | |
| 0.52% | 3.27% | |
| 0.44% | 2.21% | |
| 0.44% | 2.06% |
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 VSO vs SMLL 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, VSO or SMLL?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VSO wins on 6 measures and SMLL on 4. VSO is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.30% vs 0.39%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $6,122. VSO is the larger fund at $1.2bn vs $369m. SMLL has the better 1-year return: +4.3% vs −0.1%.
Which is cheaper, VSO or SMLL?
VSO charges 0.30% a year and SMLL charges 0.39% a year.
Can I hold both VSO and SMLL?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VSO is a Australian shares fund and SMLL is a Australian shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.