If you want the broader shortlist before comparing these two directly, start with best all-in-one ETFs in Canada.
XEQT vs VEQT: Quick Comparison
| Feature | XEQT | VEQT |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | iShares (BlackRock) | Vanguard |
| MER | 0.20% | 0.24% |
| Holdings | 9,000+ stocks | 13,000+ stocks |
| Allocation | 100% equity | 100% equity |
| Dividend yield | ~2% | ~2% |
| AUM | $5B+ | $6B+ |
Bottom line: Both are excellent. The differences are trivial. Pick one and invest consistently.
If you want the full product-level breakdowns first, read XEQT review and VEQT review.
Fund Details
XEQT - iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | XEQT |
| Exchange | TSX |
| MER | 0.20% |
| Inception | 2019 |
| Holdings | 9,000+ stocks |
| Distributions | Quarterly |
Underlying ETFs:
- ITOT (US Total Market) - 46%
- XIC (Canada) - 25%
- IEFA (International Developed) - 24%
- IEMG (Emerging Markets) - 5%
VEQT - Vanguard All-Equity ETF Portfolio
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | VEQT |
| Exchange | TSX |
| MER | 0.24% |
| Inception | 2019 |
| Holdings | 13,000+ stocks |
| Distributions | Quarterly |
Underlying ETFs:
- VUN (US Total Market) - 44%
- VCN (Canada) - 30%
- VIU (International Developed) - 20%
- VEE (Emerging Markets) - 6%
Geographic Allocation
| Region | XEQT | VEQT |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 46% | 44% |
| Canada | 25% | 30% |
| International Developed | 24% | 20% |
| Emerging Markets | 5% | 6% |
VEQT has a slight home-country bias with 30% Canadian allocation vs XEQT’s 25%. This can be good (familiar companies, no currency risk) or bad (Canada is only ~3% of global markets). That broader tradeoff is part of the same decision discussed in best international ETFs in Canada.
Cost Comparison
The MER difference is 0.04% (4 basis points).
| Portfolio Size | XEQT Annual Cost | VEQT Annual Cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $20 | $24 | $4 |
| $50,000 | $100 | $120 | $20 |
| $100,000 | $200 | $240 | $40 |
| $500,000 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $200 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,000 | $2,400 | $400 |
The difference is minimal. On a $100,000 portfolio, you save $40/year with XEQT — less than the cost of a single trade on some platforms.
Historical Performance
Both funds launched in 2019, so track records are similar:
| Period | XEQT | VEQT |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +10.9% | +11.2% |
| 2021 | +21.3% | +21.0% |
| 2022 | -11.5% | -11.3% |
| 2023 | +18.9% | +18.2% |
| 2024 | +20.1% | +19.8% |
| 2025 | +12.5% | +12.2% |
Performance differences are slight and vary year to year. Neither consistently outperforms.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose XEQT if:
- You want the lowest possible cost
- You prefer iShares/BlackRock
- You want slightly more US/international exposure
- You already have other Vanguard holdings and want diversification
Choose VEQT if:
- You prefer Vanguard’s philosophy
- You want more Canadian exposure
- You already have XEQT and want to compare
- You like having more underlying holdings
It Really Doesn’t Matter
Both funds:
- Hold thousands of global stocks
- Rebalance automatically
- Have extremely low costs
- Will perform nearly identically over time
The best choice is the one you’ll stick with for decades.
Common Questions
Should I hold both XEQT and VEQT?
No. You’re creating unnecessary complexity. Both hold similar portfolios, so holding both doesn’t add diversification.
Should I switch from VEQT to XEQT?
No. The 0.04% difference doesn’t justify:
- Potential capital gains from selling
- Time spent making the switch
- Transaction costs (if applicable)
What about XGRO vs VGRO?
Same comparison, but with 20% bonds:
| Feature | XGRO | VGRO |
|---|---|---|
| MER | 0.20% | 0.24% |
| Equity | 80% | 80% |
| Bonds | 20% | 20% |
Choose XGRO/VGRO if you want some bonds for stability, or if your time horizon is 5-10 years instead of 10+. If you are not sure whether you should be in 100/0 or 80/20 in the first place, use asset allocation by age before choosing the ticker.
What about building my own portfolio?
You could buy the underlying ETFs separately:
| ETF | MER | What It Holds |
|---|---|---|
| XIC | 0.06% | Canadian stocks |
| XUU | 0.07% | US stocks |
| XEF | 0.22% | International stocks |
Total: ~0.10% blended MER
But this requires:
- Manual rebalancing
- Multiple purchases
- More complexity
For most investors, the simplicity of XEQT or VEQT is worth the extra 0.10-0.14%.
Where to Buy
Both XEQT and VEQT trade on the TSX and are commission-free at most brokerages:
| Brokerage | Commission |
|---|---|
| Wealthsimple | $0 |
| Questrade | $0 (ETF buys) |
| TD Direct | $0 (selected ETFs) |
| BMO InvestorLine | $0 (BMO ETFs only) |
| RBC Direct | ~$10/trade |
See our Best Online Brokers comparison for more details.
If you care more about account placement than platform choice, also review best account type for US stocks and ETFs in Canada.
The Real Question
The XEQT vs VEQT debate often distracts from what matters most:
- Are you investing regularly?
- Are you investing enough?
- Will you stay invested through market downturns?
If you spend an hour researching XEQT vs VEQT but then only invest $100/month, you’re optimizing the wrong thing.
The best ETF is the one you actually buy and hold.