VSO vs VAS - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VSO and VAS. VAS has the lower management fee at 0.07% a year, VAS has the higher 10 years return at 8.9% a year, and VSO offers the higher at 4.92%.

Lower fee

VAS 0.07% p.a.

Higher 10 years return

VAS 8.9% p.a.

Higher yield

VSO 4.92%

Higher risk-adjusted

VAS Sharpe 0.54 (10y)

Lower volatility

VAS 13.4% (10y)

Larger fund

VAS $26.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF	VAS Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider	Vanguard	Vanguard
Tracks index	MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index	S&P/ASX 300 Index
Categories	AU, Small-Cap, Market-Cap	AU, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since	2011 (15 yrs)	2009 (17 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$1.1bn	$26.2bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.3%	0.07%
Dividend yield	4.92%	2.93%
Franking	65%	75%
Turnover	18%	4%
Tax drag	1.07%	0.39%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	7% net	5.8% net
3-year return	9.3% net	10.2% net
5-year return	5.5% net	7.8% net
10-year return	8.4% net	8.9% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	13.2%	10.7%
Volatility (5y)	15.6%	12.5%
Volatility (10y)	16.6%	13.4%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	0.43	0.58
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.22	0.41
Sharpe ratio (10y)	0.44	0.54
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 4.92% income yield.

Cheaper alternatives exist: VAS and EX20.

Full VSO analysis →

VAS Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.07% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: MQAE, A200, and IOZ.

Full VAS analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VSO vs VAS?

VSO and VAS are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VAS carries the lower management fee (0.07%). Over 10 years, VAS has delivered the higher total return (8.9% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - VSO vs VAS?

VAS has the lower management fee at 0.07% a year, versus VSO 0.3%.

Which has performed higher - VSO vs VAS?

Over the past 10 years, VAS has delivered the higher total return at 8.9% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VSO pays the higher at 4.92%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VAS is the larger fund by assets ($26.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

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

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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.