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ETF Comparison

IVV vs VOO: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

IVV has lagged VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.43% total return against 16.45%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VOO has compounded at 15.46% a year, against 15.45% for IVV. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Sep 2010Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
IVV13.60%16.43%23.23%13.70%15.45%14.91%14.9%1.101.60-18.8%
VOO13.59%16.45%23.23%13.71%15.46%14.93%14.8%1.111.61-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Sep 2010” measures every fund from September 9, 2010 — the start of shared available history — 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.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricIVVVOO
Full nameiShares Core S&P 500 ETFVanguard S&P 500 ETF
IssueriSharesVanguard
Last Close$773.10 as of October 2, 2026$707.54 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate1.14%1.03%
Trailing 12-month yield1.09%1.05%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.14%1.03%
Expense ratio0.03%0.03%
AUM$888B$1041B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexS&P 500 Index
ObjectiveSeeks 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.Track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date05/15/200009/07/2010
Beta1.01.0
Last dividend$2.20261$1.8226
Ex-dividend date09/15/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineIVV and VOO are nearly interchangeable — both track the S&P 500 with very similar cost and risk. Fees are effectively identical, so it comes down to which your broker offers commission-free and any share-price or tax-lot preference.

Income calculator

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

ETFs466
Total AUM$4683B

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 IVV.

ETFs116
Total AUM$4676B

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

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VOO.

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Quick verdict

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IVV offers the higher yield at 1.14% vs 1.03% for VOO. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1041B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IVV would generate roughly $28.50 cash per distribution, while VOO would produce $25.75 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IVV yield1.14%
VOO yield1.03%
Cash diff on $10K$2.75

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IVV would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $30 for VOO (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.

IVV ER0.03%
VOO ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

IVV tracks S&P 500 Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach.

IVV beta1.0
VOO beta1.0

Fund details

IVV is managed by iShares (launched 05/15/2000) with $888B in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1041B in assets.

IVV AUM$888B
VOO AUM$1041B

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for IVV and VOO?

IVV currently distributes 1.14% and VOO 1.03%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is IVV or VOO 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 IVV and VOO?

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both IVV and VOO?

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.

Is IVV or VOO safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: IVV scores 100, VOO scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, IVV or VOO?

IVV and VOO both charge the same expense ratio of 0.03%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.

How much income does $10,000 in IVV vs VOO generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IVV would generate roughly $28.50 cash per distribution ($114.00 annually). The same in VOO would produce about $25.75 cash per distribution ($103.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IVV or VOO?

IVV has lagged VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.43% total return against 16.45%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VOO has compounded at 15.46% a year, against 15.45% for IVV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

IVV vs VOO — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

Overview

IVV and VOO are both ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index, aiming to replicate the performance of 500 large-cap U.S. equities. They are functionally identical in strategy, holding the same underlying securities with the same weighting scheme.

How they differ

Both charge 0.03% and hold identical index exposure with 1.0 beta, making them economically equivalent on fees and market risk. VOO holds a larger asset base at $1041B versus $888B, though both are substantial. This yield difference likely reflects minor variance in dividend timing, reinvestment capture, or holding-period dynamics rather than fundamental strategy divergence. IVV began trading in 05/15/2000, making it older by roughly a decade.

  • VOO: Fits investors seeking the largest S&P 500 ETF by asset base and who favor Vanguard's structure, or those prioritizing a slightly lower distribution yield in a tax-deferred setting where yield drag matters less.

Key risks to know

  • Index concentration and sector exposure: Both track the S&P 500, which has grown more concentrated in mega-cap technology stocks in recent years. A downturn in that segment will materially affect both funds in the same direction.
  • Tracking error from cash drag: Minor differences in dividend capture timing and reinvestment between the two may create small and temporary tracking gaps, though both aim to minimize slippage.
  • Large-cap equity market risk: Both funds carry full equity market risk and offer no downside protection or diversification beyond large-cap equities. Broad market declines will affect both proportionally.

Bottom line

IVV and VOO are near-perfect substitutes—same index, same fees, negligible yield spread. The choice between them hinges on issuer preference, existing holdings, or the specific platform's trading mechanics rather than any meaningful performance or cost advantage. Neither offers an edge over the other on a fundamental basis; past returns will not predict which performs better going forward.

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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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.