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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of Invesco QQQ Trust and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 15, 2026

ETFs256
Total AUM$971B

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

Invesco is a major player in the ETF space known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of 71 funds spanning multiple investment themes and strategies. Their portfolio spans income-focused funds, factor-based equity strategies, commodity exposure, digital assets, ESG investing, and the popular Invesco QQQ family tracking the Nasdaq-100, serving both income-seeking and growth-oriented investors. The issuer is particularly recognized for specialized offerings like BulletShares (laddered bond funds), sector rotation strategies, and thematic investing options, making it a comprehensive choice for investors seeking varied exposures beyond traditional index funds.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on QQQ.

ETFs182
Total AUM$2117B

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.

Side-by-side snapshot

QQQSPLG
Full nameInvesco QQQ TrustSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
IssuerInvescoState Street
Last Close$719.69 as of July 15, 2026$80.86 as of July 15, 2026
Distribution yield0.44%1.18%
Distribution Safety Score 9579
Expense ratio0.18%0.02%
AUM$481B$97.3B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexNasdaq-100 IndexS&P 500 Index
ObjectiveTrack the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks.Track the S&P 500 Index at a low expense ratio for core U.S. equity exposure.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date03/10/199911/08/2005
Beta1.241.0
Last dividend$0.7941$0.2392
Ex-dividend date12/21/202606/12/2026

Bottom lineChoose QQQ if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose SPLG if you want higher current income (1.18% vs 0.44% for QQQ).

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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.

Quick verdict

QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) 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 0.44% for QQQ. 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 0.18%.

They track different benchmarks: QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQ is the larger fund by assets ($481B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, QQQ would generate roughly $3.67/month, while SPLG would produce $9.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

QQQ yield0.44%
SPLG yield1.18%
Monthly diff on $10K$6.17

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, QQQ would cost approximately $180 in fees vs $20 for SPLG (simplified, not compounded). The $160.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

QQQ ER0.18%
SPLG ER0.02%

Strategy & risk

QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach, while SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 1.24 for QQQ and 1.0 for SPLG, indicating SPLG is less volatile relative to the market.

QQQ beta1.24
SPLG beta1.0

Fund details

QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $481B in assets. SPLG is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $97.3B in assets.

QQQ AUM$481B
SPLG AUM$97.3B

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Frequently asked questions

Is QQQ 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 QQQ and SPLG?

QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach, while SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by Invesco and State Street respectively.

Can I hold both QQQ and SPLG?

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, QQQ or SPLG?

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% 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 QQQ vs SPLG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in QQQ would generate roughly $3.67 per month ($44.00 annually). The same in SPLG would produce about $9.83 per month ($118.00 annually).

More comparisons to explore

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