A200vsVAS
Which low-cost ASX tracker gives you better value for money?
BetaShares Australia 200 ETF · Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF
A200 charges 0.04% vs VAS's 0.07% - 3bp cheaper annually. A200 tracks the ASX 200; VAS covers the ASX 300 (300 stocks). For most long-term investors, the fee gap is the primary differentiator.
Score Breakdown
Fund Profiles
Managed by BetaShares, A200 tracks the Solactive Australia 200 Index, providing exposure to the 200 largest companies listed on the ASX. It uses full replication, meaning it holds every stock in the index rather than sampling, and is widely recognised as the cheapest broad Australian equities ETF available. With significant exposure to banks and miners that typically pay franked dividends, A200 suits cost-conscious investors seeking core Australian equity exposure, making it particularly popular among SMSF trustees building long-term portfolios.
As Australia's largest ETF by assets under management, VAS is managed by Vanguard and tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index, covering 300 of the biggest companies listed on the ASX. By including 100 additional stocks beyond the ASX 200, VAS offers slightly broader diversification across mid-cap names that ASX 200 ETFs miss, while still capturing the same large-cap heavyweights. Investors seeking the most comprehensive single-fund Australian equity exposure - with franking credits flowing through distributions - will find VAS an excellent core domestic holding for portfolios and SMSFs alike.