ETF versions of index funds

[NickPotato]

Hey group. First poster here. Great to be a part of a community with so many financially savvy people. 

I want to invest more in index funds but it looks like several that I want to invest in are closed to new investors (looking at you, Vanguard). There are ETF versions that look very similar. From a performance standpoint is there any difference between index funds and their ETF versions?

[EvenSteven]

Bogleheads wiki has a good rundown of the differences.

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/ETFs_vs_mutual_funds

None of the differences matter to me so I treat them as functionally equivalent.

[NickPotato]

Bogleheads wiki has a good rundown of the differences.

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/ETFs_vs_mutual_funds

None of the differences matter to me so I treat them as functionally equivalent.

Good run-down, thanks. Sounds like the investment holdings are similar/same with the differences being expense ratios and tradeability.

[Rosy]

Hey group. First poster here. Great to be a part of a community with so many financially savvy people. 

I want to invest more in index funds but it looks like several that I want to invest in are closed to new investors (looking at you, Vanguard). There are ETF versions that look very similar. From a performance standpoint is there any difference between index funds and their ETF versions?

Now I'm curious - Vanguard has funds that are closed to new investors? Why?

[Monocle Money Mouth]

Hey group. First poster here. Great to be a part of a community with so many financially savvy people. 

I want to invest more in index funds but it looks like several that I want to invest in are closed to new investors (looking at you, Vanguard). There are ETF versions that look very similar. From a performance standpoint is there any difference between index funds and their ETF versions?

Now I'm curious - Vanguard has funds that are closed to new investors? Why?

I think Vanguard made the admiral share classes the default class of shares for some funds. The old investor class funds still exist, but they are only being used in target date funds and other funds that are composed of other funds.

So instead of having to wait until you have $10,000 in VTSMX to upgrade to VTSAX, you can just buy VTSAX from the start.