SmarterDividends

USFR vs VBIL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, USFR yields more: 3.71% (current yield) against 3.50% for VBIL. VBIL is cheaper to own at 0.06% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same months (Feb 2025 to Oct 2026), USFR returned 4.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and VBIL 4.0%.

ComparedUSFRVBIL
YieldCurrent yield3.71%3.50%
Expense ratio0.15%0.06%
Total return, 1 yr+4.0%+3.8%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.6%—
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+4.0%—
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+2.6%—
Worst drop since Feb 20250.0%0.0%
Share price since Feb 2025+0%+1%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerWisdomTreeVanguard
Assets$21.3B$14.3B
Started20142025
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury ETF

Higher yield

USFR

3.71%

Lower cost

VBIL

0.06%

Better total return

USFR

4.1%/yr

Smaller worst drop

USFR

0.0%

Key facts: USFR vs VBIL

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, USFR yields 3.71% (current yield) and VBIL yields 3.50% (current yield).
  • USFR's expense ratio is 0.15% and VBIL's is 0.06%: $15 vs $6 a year on $10,000.
  • From Feb 2025 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in USFR grew to $10,687 (4.1% a year) and $10,000 in VBIL to $10,668 (4.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: 0.0% for USFR and 0.0% for VBIL.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "USFR vs VBIL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/usfr-vs-vbil

$10,000 in each, Feb 2025 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values.

USFR became

$10,687

4.1% a year

VBIL became

$10,668

4.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

What each holds and how it's taxed

USFR · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
VBIL · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).

General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →

Top holdings

No overlap in the top ten.

USFR

  1. DTRXX BNY Dreyfus Treasury Oblgtns Csh Mgt Ins0.0%

VBIL

  1. Holdings not reported.

USFR vs VBIL: questions

Is USFR or VBIL better?

It depends on the job. USFR pays more today (3.71% vs 3.50%), VBIL costs less, and USFR has the better total return over Feb 2025 to Oct 2026, with USFR holding up better in its worst stretch. For cash you may need soon, yield after tax and how easily you can get the money out matter more than past returns.

Which pays a higher dividend, USFR or VBIL?

USFR, at 3.71% against 3.50% for VBIL as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $371 vs $350 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

USFR. From Feb 2025 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.0% for VBIL. $10,000 became $10,687 vs $10,668.

Which is cheaper, USFR or VBIL?

VBIL, with a 0.06% expense ratio against 0.15%.

How are USFR and VBIL taxed?

USFR: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). VBIL: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). General information, not tax advice.

Related comparisons

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. USFR leads on 2 of 3 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.