Dividend comparison

VBIL vs BOXX: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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VBIL vs BOXX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. VBIL is cheaper at 0.06% a year versus 0.24% for BOXX. On $10,000 that is $18 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 1 year, BOXX returned 4.0% versus 0.8% for VBIL, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $10,402 in BOXX and $10,080 in VBIL.
  • Risk. Their worst declines over the last 1 year were similar: -0.6% for VBIL and -0.1% for BOXX from peak to trough.
  • Diversification. VBIL holds 27 positions and BOXX holds 18.

Bottom line: VBIL fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. BOXX fits better if you care most about stronger 1-year returns.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricVBIL
Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF
BOXX
Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF
Dividend yield (TTM)3.50%—
Dividend / share (TTM)$2.65—
Payout frequencyMonthly—
Last dividend$0.2177 on Oct 5, 2026$0.2906 on Aug 14, 2024
Ex-dividend dateOct 1, 2026Aug 13, 2024
Price$75.66$118.68
Beta-0.01-0.00
Max drawdown (5Y)-0.6%-0.1%
Market cap$9.41B$14.26B
ExchangeNASDAQCBOE
Expense ratio0.06%0.24%
Assets under management$12.80B$14.30B
Number of holdings2718
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

VBIL

$29.17/mo

$350 /yr at 3.50% yield

BOXX

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

Strategy: Cash equivalent
Funds holding short-dated US government paper, where the objective is that the principal is there when you need it. Yield follows short-term interest rates with a short lag rather than being locked in, so income falls when the central bank cuts and rises when it hikes. Because the underlying holdings are nearly identical across providers, the expense ratio comes almost directly out of what you receive.

There is no growth here by design, and purchasing power erodes whenever the after-tax yield sits below inflation.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Feb 11, 2025 would now be worth $10,370 in VBIL and $10,702 in BOXX.
PeriodVBILBOXX
1 month0.03%0.37%
3 months0.05%1.01%
Year to date0.30%3.11%
1 year0.80%4.02%
3 years—14.46%
5 years——
  • VBIL
  • BOXX
9910410820252026104107

Both series indexed to 100 on 2025-02-11 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • VBIL
  • BOXX
0%25%50%75%100%Financial Services100.0%11.3%Cash & Others100.0%0.0%Technology40.1%Communication Services9.9%Healthcare9.4%Consumer Cyclical8.7%Industrials7.6%Consumer Defensive4.4%Energy3.4%Utilities1.9%Other3.3%

Quick verdict

VBIL fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. BOXX fits better if you care most about stronger 1-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

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Frequently asked questions

Is VBIL or BOXX better for dividend income?
Compare yield, payout sustainability, and how each fund or stock fits your income goals. Use Dividend Wealth to model both holdings inside a real portfolio forecast.
What is the difference between VBIL and BOXX?
Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) is an ETF listed on CBOE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VBIL or BOXX?
VBIL has the lower expense ratio. VBIL charges 0.06% a year and BOXX charges 0.24%, a difference of $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VBIL or BOXX?
Over the last 1 year, BOXX has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VBIL returned 0.8% and BOXX returned 4.0%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VBIL or BOXX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VBIL has been riskier: VBIL fell as much as 0.6% and BOXX as much as 0.1%. Their betas are -0.01 and -0.00.
Can I hold both VBIL and BOXX?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VBIL vs BOXX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VBIL and BOXX fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.