ETF Comparison

ITOT vs SPLG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 4, 2026

iShares

ETFs481

Total AUM$4451B

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 ITOT.

See all iShares ETFs

State Street

ETFs182

Total AUM$2107B

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

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SPLG.

See all State Street ETFs

Side-by-side snapshot

	ITOT	SPLG
Full name	iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Issuer	iShares	State Street
Last Close	$163.76 as of July 4, 2026	$80.86 as of July 4, 2026
Distribution yield	1.02%	1.18%
Distribution Safety Score	37	79
Expense ratio	0.03%	0.02%
AUM	$91.4B	$97.3B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Underlying index	S&P Total Market Index	S&P 500 Index
Objective	Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.	Track the S&P 500 Index at a low expense ratio for core U.S. equity exposure.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	01/20/2004	11/08/2005
Beta	1.04	1.0
Last dividend	$0.4190	$0.2392
Ex-dividend date	09/15/2026	06/12/2026

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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

ITOT has outpaced SPLG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 22.64% total return against 22.04%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SPLG has compounded at 15.45% a year, ahead of ITOT at 14.93%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Nov 2005	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
ITOT	10.32%	22.64%	20.21%	12.03%	14.93%	11.04%	15.3%	0.91	1.31	-19.4%
SPLG	9.63%	22.04%	20.42%	13.18%	15.45%	11.23%	14.9%	0.95	1.37	-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Nov 2005” measures every fund from November 15, 2005 — 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 trailing 3 years. 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 trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Quick verdict

ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) and SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SPLG offers the higher yield at 1.18% vs 1.02% for ITOT. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SPLG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.02% compared to 0.03%.

They track different benchmarks: ITOT is linked to S&P Total Market Index while SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

SPLG is the larger fund by assets ($97.3B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, ITOT would generate roughly $8.50/month, while SPLG would produce $9.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

ITOT yield1.02%

SPLG yield1.18%

Monthly diff on $10K$1.33

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, ITOT would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $20 for SPLG (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

ITOT ER0.03%

SPLG ER0.02%

Strategy & risk

ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index with an index approach, while SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 1.04 for ITOT and 1.0 for SPLG, indicating SPLG is less volatile relative to the market.

ITOT beta1.04

SPLG beta1.0

Fund details

ITOT is managed by iShares (launched 01/20/2004) with $91.4B in assets. SPLG is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $97.3B in assets.

ITOT AUM$91.4B

SPLG AUM$97.3B

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Frequently asked questions

Is ITOT or SPLG better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SPLG 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 ITOT and SPLG?

ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) tracks S&P Total Market Index with an index approach, while SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by iShares and State Street respectively.

Can I hold both ITOT and SPLG?

Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.

Which has lower fees, ITOT or SPLG?

ITOT has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPLG charges 0.02%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in ITOT vs SPLG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in ITOT would generate roughly $8.50 per month ($102.00 annually). The same in SPLG would produce about $9.83 per month ($118.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, ITOT or SPLG?

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ITOT vs SPLG — at a glance

Generated July 2026 from current fund data.

Overview

ITOT and SPLG are both passively managed U.S. equity ETFs tracking different S&P indices—ITOT holds the entire S&P Total Market Index (small, mid, and large cap), while SPLG tracks only the S&P 500 (large cap). The key distinction is breadth: ITOT captures roughly 3,500 stocks; SPLG focuses on the 500 largest. Both charge minimal fees and have amassed roughly $91–97 billion in assets.

How they differ

ITOT and SPLG track different universes. ITOT includes small- and mid-cap stocks alongside large caps, giving it a wider net; SPLG limits exposure to the 500 largest U.S. companies. This is the defining difference in composition and performance potential during mid-cap or small-cap rallies.

SPLG carries a slightly lower expense ratio (0.02% vs. ITOT's 0.03%) and a marginally higher yield (1.18% vs. 1.02%). The yield gap reflects SPLG's concentration in larger, more dividend-oriented companies. Both charge so little that fee difference is immaterial over time; the real trade-off is index exposure.

SPLG's beta is reported at exactly 1.0, while ITOT's is 1.04, consistent with the additional small- and mid-cap volatility baked into a total-market approach. Both funds have substantial AUM ($97.3B for SPLG, $91.4B for ITOT), ensuring liquidity and minimal tracking error.

Who each is best for

ITOT: Fits investors seeking maximum U.S. stock diversification and willing to accept small- and mid-cap exposure as part of a core holding. Appeals to those who want a single fund representing the entire investable U.S. market.

SPLG: Designed for investors preferring concentration in large-cap stocks and a slight yield edge, or those building a satellite strategy around S&P 500 exposure without small-cap beta.

Key risks to know

Index concentration: SPLG's S&P 500 focus means it misses roughly 3,000 smaller stocks. During periods when mid-caps or small-caps outperform, SPLG will lag ITOT. Conversely, if large-cap dominance continues, SPLG may outpace total-market returns.

Beta and volatility mismatch: ITOT's 1.04 beta reflects embedded small- and mid-cap exposure, which introduces modestly higher volatility than the S&P 500 alone. Investors seeking large-cap stability may find ITOT's marginal extra swings noticeable over time.

Liquidity and tracking: While both funds are massive and liquid, ITOT must track a broader index, introducing marginally more day-to-day tracking error than SPLG's tighter 500-stock mandate—though differences are negligible in practice.

Size-factor sensitivity: Small- and mid-caps embedded in ITOT carry distinct factor exposure (higher book-to-market, lower profitability) versus the large-cap blend in SPLG. Extended large-cap leadership will favor SPLG; shifts toward value or smaller companies will favor ITOT.

Bottom line

If you want one fund capturing the entire U.S. stock market at a rock-bottom fee, ITOT's total-market exposure stands out; if you prefer large-cap concentration with a marginally lower expense ratio and higher yield, SPLG fits that bill. Neither is a wrong choice for core equity allocation—the decision hinges on whether you want the small- and mid-cap tilt or the large-cap purity. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

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