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ETF Comparison

MARS vs XSPC: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Roundhill Space & Technology ETF and VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 9, 2026

No track record yet. XSPC launched within the last six months. The forward distribution rate is left blank until a payout is published.

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.

MARS has lagged XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -27.19% total return against -16.74%. 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.
SymbolSince Jun 2026Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
MARS-27.19%48.7%-2.14-2.94-33.8%
XSPC-16.74%50.2%-1.25-1.74-30.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 9, 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 Jun 2026” measures every fund from June 16, 2026 — 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 shared window since Jun 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 Jun 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Not a distribution payer

MARS (Roundhill Space & Technology ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. MARS is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield. XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. XSPC is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricMARSXSPC
Full nameRoundhill Space & Technology ETFVegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF
IssuerRoundhill InvestmentsVegaShares
Last Close$24.64 as of October 9, 2026$20.96 as of October 9, 2026
Distribution rate——
Distribution Safety Score™ ——
Expense ratio0.75%0.75%
AUM$47.0M$2.16M
Distribution frequencyNoneNone
Underlying index——
Objective—Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date03/04/202606/15/2026
Beta2.6714—

— Distribution rate, Safety-Adjusted Yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because XSPC launched June 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: XSPC launched June 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional.

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Roundhill Investments
ETFs56
Total AUM$39.3B

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

Roundhill Investments is known for offering innovative, specialized ETFs that often feature weekly dividend distributions and exposure to trending themes and individual mega-cap stocks. Their lineup spans income-focused strategies, leveraged products, thematic investments in areas like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, and weekly-pay funds that appeal to investors seeking frequent distributions. The issuer has built a distinctive niche with products targeting both traditional income seekers and those interested in emerging sectors, offering a diverse range of tickers that go well beyond conventional dividend vehicles.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on MARS.

See all Roundhill Investments ETFs
VegaShares
ETFs7
Total AUM$65.9M

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 XSPC.

See all VegaShares ETFs

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Quick verdict

MARS (Roundhill Space & Technology ETF) and XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

MARS has $47.0M in assets vs $2.16M for XSPC, but XSPC only launched June 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, MARS has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

MARS yield—
XSPC yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, MARS would cost approximately $750 in fees vs $750 for XSPC (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.

MARS ER0.75%
XSPC ER0.75%

Strategy & risk

MARS is an ETF, while XSPC is an ETF built around a thematic strategy.

MARS beta2.6714
XSPC beta—

Fund details

MARS is managed by Roundhill Investments (launched 03/04/2026) with $47.0M in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $2.16M in assets.

MARS AUM$47.0M
XSPC AUM$2.16M
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Frequently asked questions

Which of MARS or XSPC pays more dividend income?

Neither MARS nor XSPC currently reports a distribution yield, so neither is an income fund today. Compare them on holdings, cost, and total return instead.

What is the difference between MARS and XSPC?

MARS (Roundhill Space & Technology ETF) is an ETF, while XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) is an ETF built around a thematic strategy. They are issued by Roundhill Investments and VegaShares respectively.

Can I hold both MARS and XSPC?

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, MARS or XSPC?

MARS and XSPC both charge the same expense ratio of 0.75%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.

How much income does $10,000 in MARS vs XSPC generate?

At current rates, MARS does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate. XSPC does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.

Which has performed better historically, MARS or XSPC?

MARS has lagged XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -27.19% total return against -16.74%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

MARS vs XSPC — at a glance

Generated October 10, 2026.

Overview

MARS and XSPC are both equity ETFs focused on space and technology themes, but they differ materially in their underlying construction and asset base. MARS, launched in March 2026, is a Roundhill Investments space and technology fund with $47.0M in assets. XSPC, a VegaShares thematic fund launched in June 2026, holds $2.16M in assets and centers its exposure on space-adjacent equities. Both charge 0.75% in annual fees but serve investors with different risk tolerances and conviction levels about sector concentration. Both ETFs charge identical 0.75% expense ratios, so cost is not a differentiator. MARS publishes a beta of 2.6714, indicating meaningfully higher volatility relative to the broad market. Both funds were launched recently—MARS in early 2026 and XSPC in mid-2026—so neither has a long track record to evaluate. Neither fund currently distributes income, meaning they are structured for capital appreciation rather than yield-focused strategies.

Who each is best for

MARS: Fits investors seeking thematic exposure to space and technology with a fund that has achieved a larger asset base and may offer somewhat better trading conditions than a micro-cap competitor. Works well for long-term holders who can tolerate equity volatility and do not expect dividend income.

XSPC: Designed for investors with a specific thesis on space-industry equities and growth who accept the liquidity constraints of a smaller, newer fund in exchange for what may be a more focused or specialized index methodology.

Key risks to know

  • Thematic concentration risk. Both funds target space and technology sectors, which cluster exposure to a narrow slice of the equity market. A downturn in private spaceflight, satellite services, or technology valuations would affect both materially, and their holdings may overlap significantly.
  • Sector volatility. The space and technology industries are cyclical and often illiquid. Equity funds tracking these themes can experience sharp drawdowns in risk-off environments or when investor appetite for high-growth equities contracts.
  • New fund risk. Both ETFs were launched in 2026 and have no operating history through a full market cycle. Issuer support, index methodology, and investor retention are untested.

Bottom line

If you value a larger asset base and lower trading friction in space-technology exposure, MARS's capitalization may address those concerns; if you hold a more specialized space-sector thesis and tolerate micro-cap fund mechanics, XSPC's thematic focus might match your view. Both carry identical expense ratios and offer no current income, so the choice hinges on your conviction in the sector and tolerance for early-stage fund risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.