ETF Comparison
SPY vs IVV: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| SPY | IVV | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF |
| Issuer | State Street | BlackRock |
| Price | $655.24 | $658.06 |
| Distribution yield | 1.06% | 1.17% |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| AUM | $698.3B | $750.7B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | S&P 500 Index | S&P 500 Index |
| Objective | Track the S&P 500 Index before expenses. | Seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities, measuring the performance of the large-cap sector of the U.S. equity market as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 01/22/1993 | 05/15/2000 |
| Beta | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Last dividend | $1.80 | $1.78 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/20/2026 | 03/17/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both popular quarterly-pay track the s&p 500 index before expenses. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
IVV offers the higher yield at 1.17% vs 1.06% for SPY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
IVV is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.09%.
IVV is the larger fund by assets ($750.7B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SPY would generate roughly $8.83/month while IVV would produce $9.75/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPY would cost approximately $90 in fees vs $30 for IVV (simplified, not compounded). The $60.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index before expenses. approach, while IVV tracks S&P 500 Index using a seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization u.s. equities, measuring the performance of the large-cap sector of the u.s. equity market as determined by s&p dow jones indices. strategy. Beta is 1.0 for SPY and 1.0 for IVV, indicating IVV is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $698.3B in assets. IVV is managed by BlackRock (launched 05/15/2000) with $750.7B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPY or IVV better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IVV 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 SPY and IVV?
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index before expenses. strategy, while IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization u.s. equities, measuring the performance of the large-cap sector of the u.s. equity market as determined by s&p dow jones indices. approach. They are issued by State Street and BlackRock respectively.
Can I hold both SPY and IVV?
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, SPY or IVV?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while IVV charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SPY vs IVV generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in SPY would generate roughly $8.83 per month ($106.00 annually). The same in IVV would produce about $9.75 per month ($117.00 annually).
More comparisons to explore
People also compare SPY with
People also compare IVV with
Popular comparisons
Go deeper
Use the full ETF Comparator to add more funds, view radar charts, and generate AI reports.