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ETF Comparison

IQQQ vs ODTE: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF and VegaShares SPX NDX RTY Premium Income ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 13, 2026

Best for

  • IQQQInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
  • ODTEInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 14.91%, generated by selling options premium.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricIQQQODTE
Full nameProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETFVegaShares SPX NDX RTY Premium Income ETF
IssuerProSharesVegaShares
Last Close$48.80 as of August 13, 2026$26.15 as of August 13, 2026
Distribution yield5.87%14.91%
Distribution Safety Score™ 6850
Expense ratio0.55%0.76%
AUM$407M$3.12M
Distribution frequencyMonthlyWeekly
Underlying indexNASDAQ 100S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000
ObjectiveIQQQ targets high income potential with long-term total returns similar to the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 indexSeeks weekly income by investing at least 80% of net assets in the constituents of the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100 and Russell 2000 indices, or instruments linked to them, alongside an options premium strategy.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date03/08/202404/03/2026
Beta1.2356
Last dividend$0.2386$0.0750
Ex-dividend date08/03/202608/06/2026

Bottom lineChoose IQQQ if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose ODTE if you want to maximize current income — roughly 14.91%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: ODTE's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while IQQQ keeps full price exposure.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

  • Capped upside and premium dependence. ODTE generates income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

ETFs169
Total AUM$128B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

ProShares is known for offering leveraged and inverse ETFs that provide amplified exposure to market movements, along with thematic and income-focused strategies. Their fund lineup spans digital assets (including Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure through BITO and EETH), dividend strategies like the Dividend Aristocrats fund (NOBL), covered call income strategies, and leveraged/inverse products that track major indices with 2x or 3x daily multipliers (such as SSO and TQQQ for tech-heavy portfolios). With 23 ETFs across specialized families including leveraged products, money market funds, and sector-specific offerings, ProShares serves investors seeking both traditional income and alternative exposure strategies.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IQQQ.

ETFs5
Total AUM$39.4M

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

VegaShares specializes in options-based and thematic ETFs designed to generate income and capitalize on emerging trends. The issuer's lineup spans income-focused strategies, including covered call funds, alongside thematic offerings that target specific market segments and innovation themes. VegaShares serves investors seeking alternative approaches to traditional equity exposure, with a concentrated portfolio of strategically named funds addressing both income generation and sector-specific growth opportunities.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ODTE.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

IQQQ has outpaced ODTE over the year to date, posting a 14.12% total return against 8.85%. ODTE has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.7% against 21.8% for IQQQ. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTDSince Apr 2026Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
IQQQ14.12%18.10%21.8%1.952.86-11.7%
ODTE8.85%8.85%14.7%1.331.88-7.1%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 12, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Apr 2026” measures every fund from April 6, 2026 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the shared window since Apr 2026. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the shared window since Apr 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Quick verdict

IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and ODTE (VegaShares SPX NDX RTY Premium Income ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

ODTE offers the higher yield at 14.91% vs 5.87% for IQQQ. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

IQQQ is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.55% compared to 0.76%.

They track different benchmarks: IQQQ is linked to NASDAQ 100 while ODTE tracks S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000, which means their performance drivers differ.

IQQQ has $407M in assets vs $3.12M for ODTE, but ODTE only launched April 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Who should choose each?

Choose IQQQ

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF

  • Want simple, diversified core exposure as a portfolio building block.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.55% expense ratio vs 0.76% for ODTE.
  • Prefer an established track record — ODTE only launched April 2026.

Choose ODTE

VegaShares SPX NDX RTY Premium Income ETF

  • Want to maximize current income — ODTE distributes roughly 14.91% from selling options premium, vs 5.87% for IQQQ.
  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.

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, IQQQ would generate roughly $48.92/month, while ODTE would produce $124.25/month, at current distribution rates.

IQQQ yield5.87%
ODTE yield14.91%
Monthly diff on $10K$75.33

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IQQQ would cost approximately $550 in fees vs $760 for ODTE (simplified, not compounded). The $210.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IQQQ ER0.55%
ODTE ER0.76%

Strategy & risk

Both IQQQ and ODTE wrap NASDAQ 100 with options-based income overlays (basket and covered call). The practical differences are yield target, fee structure, and issuer track record — not the underlying mechanic.

IQQQ beta1.2356
ODTE beta

Fund details

IQQQ is managed by ProShares (launched 03/08/2024) with $407M in assets. ODTE is managed by VegaShares (launched 04/03/2026) with $3.12M in assets.

IQQQ AUM$407M
ODTE AUM$3.12M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for IQQQ and ODTE?

IQQQ currently distributes 5.87% and ODTE 14.91%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is IQQQ or ODTE better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. ODTE 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 IQQQ and ODTE?

Both IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and ODTE (VegaShares SPX NDX RTY Premium Income ETF) track NASDAQ 100 with options-based income strategies — the labels "basket" and "covered call" describe closely related mechanics (covered calls are a specific type of options strategy). The real differences show up in yield target (5.87% vs 14.91%), expense ratio (0.55% vs 0.76%), and issuer (ProShares vs VegaShares).

Can I hold both IQQQ and ODTE?

You can, but expect significant overlap. Both funds use options-based income strategies on NASDAQ 100, so holding them together gives you two wrappers around effectively the same exposure — not true diversification. Weigh issuer, fee, and yield differences rather than treating them as complementary.

Is IQQQ or ODTE safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — IQQQ scores 68, ODTE scores 50, so IQQQ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.

Which has lower fees, IQQQ or ODTE?

IQQQ has an expense ratio of 0.55% while ODTE charges 0.76%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in IQQQ vs ODTE generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IQQQ would generate roughly $48.92 per month ($587.00 annually). The same in ODTE would produce about $124.25 per month ($1,491.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IQQQ or ODTE?

IQQQ has outpaced ODTE over the year to date, posting a 14.12% total return against 8.85%. ODTE has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.7% against 21.8% for IQQQ. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

IQQQ vs ODTE — at a glance

Generated August 1, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

IQQQ and ODTE are both monthly or weekly income ETFs built on options strategies, but they differ fundamentally in scope and structure. IQQQ is a covered-call strategy focused solely on the Nasdaq-100, while ODTE combines a wider three-index basket (S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000) with an explicit options premium overlay. IQQQ has been operating since March 2024 with $391M in assets; ODTE is newer, launched in April 2026, with just $3.08M in AUM.

How they differ

The biggest difference is breadth: IQQQ targets only large-cap technology via the Nasdaq-100, whereas ODTE holds a mixture of S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and Russell 2000 constituents—giving it exposure to mid-caps and small-caps alongside large-cap tech and diversified sectors. Second, ODTE distributes weekly while IQQQ distributes monthly, and ODTE's 14.92% distribution rate substantially exceeds IQQQ's 11.67%, though ODTE's much smaller $3.08M AUM raises questions about whether that rate can be sustained or if NAV erosion may follow. Third, IQQQ has a beta of 1.2356 relative to its Nasdaq-100 benchmark, meaning it amplifies index moves, while ODTE reports zero beta—a flag that its options structure is designed to neutralize directional equity risk, or that the metric is not yet stabilized for a fund barely a month old.

Who each is best for

IQQQ: Fits investors seeking monthly income from large-cap tech exposure who are comfortable with concentrated Nasdaq-100 holdings and can tolerate above-market price volatility due to the 1.24 beta.

ODTE: Designed for investors wanting multi-week income frequency (weekly payouts) and broader equity exposure across three indices, though the fund's youth and minimal asset base make it a speculative position rather than a core holding.

Key risks to know

  • NAV erosion at elevated yields. ODTE's 14.92% distribution yield, if sustained from options premium and capital gains rather than underlying index appreciation, is likely to erode principal over time. IQQQ's 11.67% yield carries similar though less acute erosion risk.
  • Concentrated beta and tech cyclicality. IQQQ's 1.24 beta and exclusive Nasdaq-100 exposure means it will amplify downturns in large-cap technology; a broad tech correction would compound losses beyond the index itself.
  • Options and liquidity risk in small fund. ODTE's $3.08M AUM is extremely small for a derivative-heavy strategy; liquidity in the fund's shares and the underlying options positions it holds could become tight during market stress, and the fund may struggle to scale or persist.
  • Nascent track record. ODTE launched just weeks before the data snapshot; its zero-beta reading and ability to deliver 14.92% weekly income have no meaningful history to validate. IQQQ, though newer (March 2024), has more time in market.

Bottom line

If you want focused Nasdaq-100 income with a modest track record and $391M in backing, IQQQ offers a clearer picture; if you prefer weekly distributions and broader index exposure, ODTE appeals—but its tiny size, brand-new inception, and outsized yield should trigger skepticism about sustainability. Both carry the risk that yields in this range may not reflect underlying equity returns alone, and neither historical performance nor future results are guaranteed.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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