DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

IGRO vs VIG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares International Dividend Growth ETF and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 15, 2026

ETFs481
Total AUM$4450B

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 IGRO.

ETFs115
Total AUM$4484B

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 VIG.

Side-by-side snapshot

IGROVIG
Full nameiShares International Dividend Growth ETFVanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares
IssueriSharesVanguard
Last Close$89.43 as of July 15, 2026$237.30 as of July 15, 2026
Distribution yield5.34%1.68%
Distribution Safety Score 86100
Expense ratio0.15%0.06%
AUM$1.25B$108B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexMorningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Indexa basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings
ObjectiveSeeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index, which measures the performance of non-U.S. developed and emerging market equities with a history of consistently growing dividends. Companies must have a payout ratio below 75% and are excluded if they fall in the top decile based on dividend yield.Seeks to track the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date05/17/201604/21/2006
Beta0.740.75
Last dividend$1.1940$0.9990
Ex-dividend date06/15/202606/26/2026

Bottom lineChoose IGRO if you want higher current income (5.34% vs 1.68% for VIG). Choose VIG if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.

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.

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Quick verdict

IGRO (iShares International Dividend Growth ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IGRO offers the higher yield at 5.34% vs 1.68% for VIG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VIG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.06% compared to 0.15%.

They track different benchmarks: IGRO is linked to Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index while VIG tracks a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings, which means their performance drivers differ.

VIG is the larger fund by assets ($108B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose IGRO

iShares International Dividend Growth ETF

  • Want higher current income — IGRO yields 5.34% vs 1.68% for VIG.
  • Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.

Choose VIG

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares

  • Want simple, diversified core exposure as a portfolio building block.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.06% expense ratio vs 0.15% for IGRO.

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, IGRO would generate roughly $44.50/month, while VIG would produce $14.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IGRO yield5.34%
VIG yield1.68%
Monthly diff on $10K$30.50

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IGRO would cost approximately $150 in fees vs $60 for VIG (simplified, not compounded). The $90.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IGRO ER0.15%
VIG ER0.06%

Strategy & risk

IGRO tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index, while VIG holds a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings with an index approach. Beta is 0.74 for IGRO and 0.75 for VIG, indicating IGRO is less volatile relative to the market.

IGRO beta0.74
VIG beta0.75

Fund details

IGRO is managed by iShares (launched 05/17/2016) with $1.25B in assets. VIG is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/21/2006) with $108B in assets.

IGRO AUM$1.25B
VIG AUM$108B

Enjoyed this page?

Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.

Frequently asked questions

Is IGRO or VIG better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. IGRO 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 IGRO and VIG?

IGRO (iShares International Dividend Growth ETF) tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) holds a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings with an index approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both IGRO and VIG?

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, IGRO or VIG?

IGRO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VIG charges 0.06%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in IGRO vs VIG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IGRO would generate roughly $44.50 per month ($534.00 annually). The same in VIG would produce about $14.00 per month ($168.00 annually).

More comparisons to explore

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.