VSO vs EX20 - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VSO and EX20. EX20 has the lower management fee at 0.25% a year, VSO has the higher 5 years return at 5.6% a year, and VSO offers the higher at 4.78%.

Lower fee

EX20 0.25% p.a.

Higher 5 years return

VSO 5.6% p.a.

Higher yield

VSO 4.78%

Higher risk-adjusted

VSO Sharpe 0.21 (5y)

Lower volatility

EX20 14% (5y)

Larger fund

VSO $1.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF	EX20 BetaShares Australian Ex-20 Portfolio Diversifier ETF
Snapshot
Provider	Vanguard	BetaShares
Tracks index	MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index	Nasdaq Australia Completion Cap Index
Categories	AU, Small-Cap, Market-Cap	AU, Small-Cap
Listed since	2011 (15 yrs)	—
Fund size (AUM)	$1.2bn	$674m
Cost & income
Management fee	0.3%	0.25%
Dividend yield	4.78%	2.81%
Franking	65%	55%
Turnover	18%	25%
Tax drag	1.06%	1.05%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	-0.1% net	-5.2% net
3-year return	12.1% net	9.2% net
5-year return	5.6% net	4.6% net
10-year return	8.7% net	—
Risk
Volatility (3y)	13.3%	12.5%
Volatility (5y)	15.8%	14%
Volatility (10y)	16.7%	—
Sharpe ratio (3y)	0.62	0.44
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.21	0.15
Sharpe ratio (10y)	0.45	—
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

VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.3% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 4.78% income yield.

Cheaper alternatives exist: VAS and EX20.

Full VSO analysis →

EX20 BetaShares Australian Ex-20 Portfolio Diversifier ETF

Low-cost: a 0.25% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Has lagged most peers over 1 year (278th of 318).

Full EX20 analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VSO vs EX20?

VSO and EX20 are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. EX20 carries the lower management fee (0.25%). Over 5 years, VSO has delivered the higher total return (5.6% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - VSO vs EX20?

EX20 has the lower management fee at 0.25% a year, versus VSO 0.3%.

Which has performed higher - VSO vs EX20?

Over the past 5 years, VSO has delivered the higher total return at 5.6% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VSO pays the higher at 4.78%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VSO is the larger fund by assets ($1.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

VSO vs SMLL VSO vs FSML VSO vs MVW VSO vs VAS VSO vs IMPQ VSO vs ISO EX20 vs SMLL EX20 vs FSML

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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.