VTI vs VOO vs ITOT for UAE residents
VTI and ITOT hold almost every listed US company, large, mid and small, while VOO holds the 500 largest through the S&P 500, which is about 80% of the US market by value. All three are domiciled in the United States, which matters for an investor living in the UAE; the Irish UCITS funds on the S&P 500 are compared on our SPY vs VOO vs CSPX page.
In short
- Different indices: VTI tracks the Morningstar US Total Market; VOO tracks the S&P 500; ITOT tracks the S&P Total Market.
- Cost: all charge 0.03% a year.
- Domicile: all 3 are in the United States, so for a UAE resident US dividends usually have 30% withheld, and the shares count as US assets for US estate tax above US$60,000, at rates up to 40%.
Facts, not a recommendation. Tax depends on your nationality, residence and facts; costs as of 30 Sep 2026.
The funds side by side
VTI · Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
United States, Morningstar US Total Market
Dividends Paid out quarterlyListing NYSE Arca, US dollarsLaunched 2001
0.03%
Cost a year
VOO · Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
United States, S&P 500
Dividends Paid out quarterlyListing NYSE Arca, US dollarsLaunched 2010
0.03%
Cost a year
ITOT · iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF
United States, S&P Total Market
Dividends Paid out quarterlyListing NYSE Arca, US dollarsLaunched 2004
0.03%
Cost a year
| ETF | Domicile | Index | Dividends | Expense ratio | Listing | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | United States | Morningstar US Total Market | Paid out quarterly | 0.03% a year | NYSE Arca, US dollars | 2001 |
| VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | United States | S&P 500 | Paid out quarterly | 0.03% a year | NYSE Arca, US dollars | 2010 |
| ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | United States | S&P Total Market | Paid out quarterly | 0.03% a year | NYSE Arca, US dollars | 2004 |
Expense ratios as reported by our market data, 30 Sep 2026.
Returns in US dollars
| ETF | 1 year | 3 years (annualised) | 5 years (annualised) | 10 years (annualised) | Volatility 3Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTI | +14.47% | +21.97% | +12.12% | +14.78% | 15.40% |
| VOO | +14.88% | +22.38% | +13.31% | +15.38% | 14.86% |
| ITOT | +14.50% | +21.98% | +12.16% | +14.75% | 15.32% |
Total returns with dividends reinvested, to 30 Sep 2026. Returns over 3 years and longer are compounded annual returns. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
What differs for an investor living in the UAE
- US estate tax. VTI, VOO, ITOT are domiciled in the United States, so their shares count as US assets. For a person who is not a US citizen or resident, US estate tax can apply above US$60,000 of US assets, at rates that rise to 40%.
- Tax on US dividends. The UAE has no income tax treaty with the United States, so US dividends paid to a UAE resident usually have 30% withheld.
- Cost. Compare the expense ratios above; on funds tracking the same index, a lower yearly cost is the most certain difference in what you keep.
- Where you buy. These funds trade in New York in US dollars. Check which your broker offers and what it charges for each market.
The outcome depends on your nationality, residence and facts, so confirm your own position with a tax adviser. Sources: IRS, estate tax for nonresidents and US income tax treaties, checked October 2026.
Questions
Do VTI, VOO, ITOT track the same thing?
Not exactly. VTI tracks the Morningstar US Total Market; VOO tracks the S&P 500; ITOT tracks the S&P Total Market. Their returns differ for that reason as well as cost.
Why does domicile matter for someone living in the UAE?
A US-domiciled ETF counts as a US asset. For a person who is not a US citizen or resident, US estate tax can apply to US assets above US$60,000, at rates that rise to 40%, and US dividends paid to a UAE resident usually have 30% withheld because the UAE has no income tax treaty with the United States. Ireland-domiciled UCITS ETFs are generally not treated as US assets for estate tax, and the fund pays 15% on its US dividends under the US and Ireland treaty. The outcome depends on your nationality, residence and facts, so confirm your position with a tax adviser.
What does accumulating mean?
An accumulating fund reinvests its dividends inside the fund instead of paying them out, so no dividend reaches your account. A distributing fund pays dividends out, usually every quarter.