A head-to-head comparison of iShares International Select Dividend ETF and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IDV.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VYMI.
Bottom lineChoose IDV if you want higher current income (10.36% vs 4.99% for VYMI). Choose VYMI if you want a quality-dividend tilt rather than the whole market.
Most used
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Want to go deeper?
Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — no signup required.
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
IDV offers the higher yield at 10.36% vs 4.99% for VYMI. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VYMI is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.22% compared to 0.51%.
They track different benchmarks: IDV is linked to Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
VYMI is the larger fund by assets ($19.7B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose IDV
iShares International Select Dividend ETF
Want higher current income — IDV yields 10.36% vs 4.99% for VYMI.
Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
Choose VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF
Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.22% expense ratio vs 0.51% for IDV.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, IDV would generate roughly $86.33/month, while VYMI would produce $41.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
IDV yield10.36%
VYMI yield4.99%
Monthly diff on $10K$44.75
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IDV would cost approximately $510 in fees vs $220 for VYMI (simplified, not compounded). The $290.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IDV ER0.51%
VYMI ER0.22%
Strategy & risk
IDV tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index with a dividend income approach, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index with a dividend income approach.
IDV beta0.74
VYMI beta0.74
Fund details
IDV is managed by iShares (launched 06/11/2007) with $8.43B in assets. VYMI is managed by Vanguard (launched 02/25/2016) with $19.7B in assets.
Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.
Frequently asked questions
Is IDV or VYMI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IDV currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between IDV and VYMI?
IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index with a dividend income approach, while VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index with a dividend income approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both IDV and VYMI?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, IDV or VYMI?
IDV has an expense ratio of 0.51% while VYMI charges 0.22%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IDV vs VYMI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IDV would generate roughly $86.33 per month ($1,036.00 annually). The same in VYMI would produce about $41.58 per month ($499.00 annually).
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio
See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.
