Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares
Figures last verified October 31, 2026
Tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index — Europe, Japan, and other developed markets, excluding emerging markets.
VTMGX is total-international minus the emerging markets: Japan, the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and the rest of the developed world, about 4,000 stocks at 0.08%. Investors choose it over VTIAX either because they're skeptical of emerging markets' governance and volatility, or because they want to size the EM allocation separately with a dedicated fund.
Fidelity's FSPSX is the closest rival at a slightly lower fee, though it holds only large and mid caps where VTMGX includes small caps. In practice the difference is rounding error; what matters more is simply having developed-international exposure at all when a decade of US outperformance has convinced everyone it's unnecessary. That conviction is usually loudest right before it's wrong.
International exposure without an emerging-markets sleeve.
VTMGX alternatives & comparable funds
If you’re weighing VTMGX against the field, these are the funds most investors line it up against — same job, different provider, slightly different terms.
| Fund | Family | Expense Ratio | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTMGX — Vanguard Developed Markets… | Vanguard | 0.08% | $3,000 |
| FSPSX — Fidelity International Index Fund | Fidelity | 0.035% | $0 |
| VTIAX — Vanguard Total Internation… | Vanguard | 0.09% | $3,000 |
| SWISX — Schwab International Index Fund | Schwab | 0.06% | $0 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the expense ratio of VTMGX?
VTMGX (Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares) has an expense ratio of 0.08%, which works out to roughly $8 per year for every $10,000 invested. That is very low by industry standards, where the average fund still charges well over 0.40%.
What is the minimum investment for VTMGX?
VTMGX requires a minimum initial investment of $3,000.
What does VTMGX invest in?
Tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index — Europe, Japan, and other developed markets, excluding emerging markets. It falls in the international category and is an index fund.
What are good alternatives to VTMGX?
The funds most often compared with VTMGX are FSPSX, VTIAX, SWISX — broadly similar exposure from different providers, with small differences in fee, minimum, and portability that usually come down to which brokerage holds your account.
Expense ratio and minimum for VTMGX drawn from Vanguard fund documentation; last verified October 31, 2026. Figures change — confirm against the official prospectus before investing. This review is editorial opinion, not investment advice.