VTSAX requires a $3,000 minimum and locks you into Vanguard. Here are five alternatives that offer the same total US market exposure — some with zero fees, all with $0 minimums.
VTSAX — the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares — is one of the most widely held mutual funds in the world. But it comes with a catch: a $3,000 minimum investment and a hard requirement to hold it at Vanguard. If you're at Fidelity, Schwab, or another brokerage, you simply can't buy VTSAX. The best alternatives give you the same total US market exposure without those constraints.
| Category | Total US Stock Market |
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% |
| Minimum Investment | $3,000 |
| AUM | $2.2 trillion |
| 10-Year Return | 14.57% |
| Yield | 1.05% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard |
1. The $3,000 minimum blocks new investors. VTSAX requires $3,000 to open a position. If you're dollar-cost averaging with smaller amounts or just starting out, that minimum is a real obstacle.
2. Vanguard brokerage lock-in. VTSAX is a Vanguard-specific fund. If your 401(k), IRA, or taxable account is at Fidelity, Schwab, or another provider, VTSAX is simply unavailable.
3. Identical alternatives now have lower (or zero) fees. FSKAX (0.015%) and FZROX (0.00%) are direct competitors with the same market exposure — and FZROX charges literally nothing. For a $100,000 portfolio, FZROX saves you $40/year vs VTSAX. Over 30 years, that compounds into thousands.
| Fund | Expense Ratio | Min Investment | 10yr Return | AUM | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTSAX | 0.04% | $3,000 | 14.57% | $2.2T | Vanguard account holders |
| FSKAX | 0.015% | $0 | 14.53% | $131.7B | Fidelity account holders |
| FZROX | 0.00% | $0 | N/A (2018) | $36.3B | Fidelity, zero-fee priority |
| SWTSX | 0.03% | $0 | 14.48% | $41.3B | Schwab account holders |
| VTI | 0.03% | $0 (ETF) | ~14.5% | ~$480B | Any brokerage, ETF preferred |
FSKAX (Fidelity Total Market Index Fund) is the most direct VTSAX alternative for Fidelity account holders. It tracks the same total US stock market index, requires no minimum investment, and charges 0.015% — less than half of VTSAX's 0.04%.
The 10-year return difference vs VTSAX is negligible (14.53% vs 14.57%). The lower cost and $0 minimum make FSKAX the clear choice if you're at Fidelity. See the full VTSAX vs FSKAX comparison for a deeper breakdown.
FZROX (Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index Fund) charges 0.00% — no expense ratio at all. It's only available at Fidelity, uses a proprietary index, and cannot be transferred to another brokerage in fund form.
The trade-off: Fidelity-only portability. If you ever move your account, FZROX must be sold (triggering a taxable event in a taxable account). For accounts you don't plan to move — especially Roth IRAs at Fidelity — FZROX is hard to beat. Compare in detail: VTSAX vs FZROX.
SWTSX (Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund) is Schwab's version of VTSAX. It tracks the total US stock market, has no minimum investment, and charges 0.03%.
Returns are nearly identical to VTSAX over 10 years. If your account is at Schwab, SWTSX is the obvious choice — no brokerage switch needed, lower minimum, and fractionally cheaper. Full breakdown: VTSAX vs SWTSX.
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is essentially VTSAX in ETF form. It tracks the same index, is managed by the same Vanguard team, and charges 0.03% — slightly less than VTSAX's 0.04%. Unlike VTSAX, VTI can be purchased at any brokerage with no minimum (you buy by the share or fractional share).
If you're at Vanguard but want to avoid the $3,000 minimum, VTI is your answer. If you're anywhere else, VTI gives you the same fund in a portable format. See VTSAX vs VTI for the full comparison.
| Your Situation | Best Alternative |
|---|---|
| At Fidelity, want a mutual fund | FSKAX (0.015%, $0 min) |
| At Fidelity, want zero fees | FZROX (0.00%, won't leave Fidelity) |
| At Schwab | SWTSX (0.03%, $0 min) |
| At Vanguard, can't meet $3K min | VTI (same index, ETF, any share amount) |
| Not at Vanguard, prefer ETFs | VTI (available everywhere) |
| Want to stay in Vanguard mutual funds | VTSAX after hitting $3K minimum |
Is FSKAX the same as VTSAX? Nearly identical. Both track the total US stock market (VTSAX tracks CRSP US Total Market; FSKAX tracks Fidelity US Total Investable Market). Over 10 years, returns differ by less than 0.05% annualized. FSKAX costs less and has no minimum — the main differences are the brokerage and the index provider.
What is the cheapest alternative to VTSAX? FZROX (0.00% expense ratio) is the cheapest alternative, but it's only available at Fidelity and uses a proprietary index. FSKAX (0.015%) and SWTSX (0.03%) are the lowest-cost options at their respective brokerages with a portable index.
Can I buy VTSAX at Fidelity or Schwab? No. VTSAX is a Vanguard fund and can only be held in a Vanguard account. At Fidelity, use FSKAX or FZROX. At Schwab, use SWTSX.
Will switching from VTSAX to an alternative hurt my returns? The long-term return difference between VTSAX, FSKAX, SWTSX, and VTI is less than 0.10% annually — effectively zero. Switching in a tax-advantaged account (IRA, 401k) has no tax consequence. In a taxable account, selling VTSAX triggers capital gains tax — weigh that cost before switching.
Data sourced from fund prospectuses and fund family websites. Returns are annualized and do not include taxes or transaction costs.
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Dan Mahler holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University and has been investing for over 10 years. He built CompareMutualFunds.com to give everyday investors a clear, jargon-free resource for comparing mutual funds. All content is reviewed for accuracy before publication; fund data is sourced from public financial filings and updated regularly.
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