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ETF vs Mutual Fund DCA True Costs

S
May 27, 2026 · 02:29

Now that fractional shares of etfs like VTI are readily available, does anyone have any data on what is more cost effective long term for periodic dca investing? An index etf vs index mutual fund, assuming same expense ratio.

Mutual funds are a known thing that settle at the end of day price. But for buying and automating VTI things are routed as market orders, so you are constantly paying the bid ask spread. And then it also depends on the order fill quality of your broker. Some are better than others.

I suspect mutual funds would be more cost effective long term, but the difference may be negligible. Would like to see actual data or proof one way or the other.