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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of State Street SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETF and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated September 30, 2026

No track record yet. QNDX 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.

QNDX has outpaced VOO over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a 4.36% total return against 4.29%. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 11.2% against 19.6% for QNDX. 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
QNDX4.36%19.6%0.580.92-10.1%
VOO4.29%11.2%0.991.65-3.3%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 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 24, 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.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricQNDXVOO
Full nameState Street SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETFVanguard S&P 500 ETF
IssuerState StreetVanguard
Underlying indexNasdaq-100 IndexS&P 500 Index
Last Close$25.06 as of September 30, 2026$700.86 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate—1.04%
Trailing 12-month yield0.11%1.06%
Distribution Safety Score™ 50100
Safety-Adjusted Yield —1.04%
Expense ratio0.10%0.03%
AUM$434M$1041B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTrack the Nasdaq-100 Index at a low expense ratio for core large-cap growth equity exposure.Track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/24/202609/07/2010
Beta—1.0
Last dividend$0.027$1.8226 payable today
Ex-dividend date09/21/202609/28/2026

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

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: QNDX 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.

Income calculator

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

ETFs179
Total AUM$2148B

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 QNDX.

ETFs116
Total AUM$4677B

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

QNDX (State Street SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VOO currently shows a 1.04% distribution yield. QNDX has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

VOO is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.10%.

They have different reference exposures: QNDX is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while VOO is linked to S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO has $1041B in assets vs $434M for QNDX, but QNDX 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, QNDX has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while VOO would produce $26.00 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

QNDX yield—
VOO yield1.04%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, QNDX would cost approximately $100 in fees vs $30 for VOO (simplified, not compounded). The $70.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

QNDX ER0.10%
VOO ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

QNDX tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a large cap approach, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach.

QNDX beta—
VOO beta1.0

Fund details

QNDX is managed by State Street (launched 06/24/2026) with $434M in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1041B in assets.

QNDX AUM$434M
VOO AUM$1041B

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Frequently asked questions

Which of QNDX or VOO pays more dividend income?

VOO currently reports a distribution yield, while QNDX has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between QNDX and VOO?

QNDX (State Street SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETF) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a large cap approach, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by State Street and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both QNDX 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 QNDX 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 — VOO scores 100, QNDX scores 50, so VOO'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.

Which has lower fees, QNDX or VOO?

QNDX has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VOO charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, QNDX has not established a distribution history yet, so a cash estimate is not available. The same in VOO would produce about $26.00 cash per distribution ($104.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, QNDX or VOO?

QNDX has outpaced VOO over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a 4.36% total return against 4.29%. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 11.2% against 19.6% for QNDX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

QNDX vs VOO — at a glance

Generated September 26, 2026.

Overview

QNDX and VOO are both broad-market equity ETFs tracking major U.S. benchmarks, but with distinct exposures. QNDX follows the Nasdaq-100 Index, concentrating on 100 large-cap stocks dominated by technology, consumer, and growth sectors. VOO tracks the S&P 500, a diversified index of 500 large-cap companies spanning all market sectors. The key difference: QNDX tilts growth; VOO tilts balanced.

How they differ

The biggest distinction is index composition and sector tilt. QNDX's Nasdaq-100 is heavily weighted toward tech, growth, and mega-cap names; the S&P 500 is more diversified across financials, industrials, healthcare, and energy. Expense ratios both run extremely lean — 0.03% for VOO and 0.10% for QNDX — so cost is nearly a wash. VOO yields 1.04% and distributes quarterly; QNDX does not report a distribution rate. The yield difference may reflect lower dividend concentration among the Nasdaq-100's growth and tech stocks versus the broader S&P 500 mix.

Who each is best for

  • QNDX: Fits investors seeking concentrated exposure to large-cap growth and technology stocks, who are comfortable with sector concentration and expect that segment to drive returns over their investment horizon.
  • VOO: Fits investors wanting diversified large-cap equity exposure across all sectors, who prefer stability and don't expect a particular sector to drive returns materially above the market average.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration in QNDX. The Nasdaq-100's heavy technology weighting means a tech downturn or valuation reset poses outsized risk to the fund; the S&P 500's balanced sector mix absorbs such shocks more evenly.
  • Growth versus value cycle. QNDX's growth-stock bias outperforms in rising-rate environments and during periods of accelerating earnings; VOO's blend will lag during those cycles but may hold up better if growth falters or rate expectations reverse.
  • Dividend yield divergence. VOO yields 1.04%; QNDX does not report a distribution rate. The difference may reflect structural characteristics of each index rather than management choice.

Bottom line

If you want broad, stable large-cap exposure spanning all sectors with proven liquidity at a rock-bottom cost, VOO's size and track record fit that profile. If you believe growth and technology will drive returns and can tolerate higher concentration and sector-specific downside, QNDX offers that tilt at a comparable expense ratio. Neither is inherently "right" — they track different markets — so the choice hinges on your conviction about sector performance and volatility tolerance. Past performance does not predict 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.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.