ETF Comparison
QQQ vs VTI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Invesco QQQ Trust and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| QQQ | VTI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Invesco QQQ Trust | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF |
| Issuer | Invesco | Vanguard |
| Price | $584.31 | $323.24 |
| Distribution yield | 0.46% | 1.11% |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.03% |
| AUM | $395.0B | $2088.9B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | Nasdaq-100 Index | CRSP US Total Market Index |
| Objective | Track the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks. | Track the CRSP US Total Market Index, representing the broad U.S. equity market. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 03/10/1999 | 05/24/2001 |
| Beta | 1.15 | 1.04 |
| Last dividend | $0.73 | $1.00 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/23/2026 | 03/27/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both popular quarterly-pay track the nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial nasdaq stocks. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VTI offers the higher yield at 1.11% vs 0.46% for QQQ. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VTI is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.18%.
They track different benchmarks: QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
VTI is the larger fund by assets ($2088.9B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, QQQ would generate roughly $3.83/month while VTI would produce $9.25/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, QQQ would cost approximately $180 in fees vs $30 for VTI (simplified, not compounded). The $150.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a track the nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial nasdaq stocks. approach, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index using a track the crsp us total market index, representing the broad u.s. equity market. strategy. Beta is 1.15 for QQQ and 1.04 for VTI, indicating VTI is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $395.0B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $2088.9B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is QQQ or VTI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VTI 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 VTI?
QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a track the nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial nasdaq stocks. strategy, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) tracks CRSP US Total Market Index with a track the crsp us total market index, representing the broad u.s. equity market. approach. They are issued by Invesco and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both QQQ and VTI?
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, QQQ or VTI?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VTI charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in QQQ vs VTI generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in QQQ would generate roughly $3.83 per month ($46.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually).
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