VGS vs VGAD - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VGS and VGAD. VGS has the lower management fee at 0.18% a year, VGS has the higher 10 years return at 14.1% a year, and VGAD offers the higher at 2.38%.

Lower fee

VGS 0.18% p.a.

Higher 10 years return

VGS 14.1% p.a.

Higher yield

VGAD 2.38%

Higher risk-adjusted

VGS Sharpe 1.07 (10y)

Lower volatility

VGS 10.8% (10y)

Larger fund

VGS $52.5bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF	VGAD Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF
Snapshot
Provider	Vanguard	Vanguard
Tracks index	MSCI World ex Australia Index	MSCI World ex Australia Index (AUD Hedged)
Categories	Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap	Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since	2014 (12 yrs)	2014 (12 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$52.5bn	$7.9bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.18%	0.22%
Dividend yield	1.25%	2.38%
Franking	0%	0%
Turnover	3%	5%
Tax drag	0.47%	0.88%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	9.9% net	15.7% net
3-year return	18.6% net	20.5% net
5-year return	12.9% net	11.5% net
10-year return	14.1% net	12.5% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	9.4%	11%
Volatility (5y)	10.9%	14%
Volatility (10y)	10.8%	14.1%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	1.43	1.39
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.87	0.61
Sharpe ratio (10y)	1.07	0.75
Bid/ask spread	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

Top-15% returns over 5 years (29th of 189 ETFs we track).
Low-cost: a 0.18% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL and IWLD.

Full VGS analysis →

VGAD Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF

Top-17% returns over 3 years (39th of 236 ETFs we track).
Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL, IHVV, and HGBL.

Full VGAD analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VGS vs VGAD?

VGS and VGAD are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VGS carries the lower management fee (0.18%). Over 10 years, VGS has delivered the higher total return (14.1% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - VGS vs VGAD?

VGS has the lower management fee at 0.18% a year, versus VGAD 0.22%.

Which has performed higher - VGS vs VGAD?

Over the past 10 years, VGS has delivered the higher total return at 14.1% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VGAD pays the higher at 2.38%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VGS is the larger fund by assets ($52.5bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

VGS vs BGBL VGS vs IWLD VGS vs DGCE VGS vs GCQF VGS vs AVNG VGS vs JHLO VGAD vs HGBL VGAD vs BGBL

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General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.