ETF Comparison
SCHD vs VIG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| SCHD | VIG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares |
| Issuer | Schwab | Vanguard |
| Price | $30.51 | $215.68 |
| Distribution yield | 3.30% | 1.56% |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.04% |
| AUM | $85.9B | $123.8B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index | Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings) |
| Objective | Seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the total return of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which measures the performance of high dividend yielding stocks issued by U.S. companies with a record of consistently paying dividends, selected for fundamental strength relative to their peers based on financial ratios. | Seeks to track the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 10/20/2011 | 04/21/2006 |
| Beta | 0.65 | 0.81 |
| Last dividend | $0.26 | $0.83 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/25/2026 | 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
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) are both popular quarterly-pay seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the total return of the dow jones u.s. dividend 100 index, which measures the performance of high dividend yielding stocks issued by u.s. companies with a record of consistently paying dividends, selected for fundamental strength relative to their peers based on financial ratios. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SCHD offers the higher yield at 3.30% vs 1.56% for VIG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VIG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.06%.
They track different benchmarks: SCHD is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index while VIG tracks Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings), which means their performance drivers differ.
VIG is the larger fund by assets ($123.8B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SCHD would generate roughly $27.50/month while VIG would produce $13.00/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHD would cost approximately $60 in fees vs $40 for VIG (simplified, not compounded). The $20.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index with a seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the total return of the dow jones u.s. dividend 100 index, which measures the performance of high dividend yielding stocks issued by u.s. companies with a record of consistently paying dividends, selected for fundamental strength relative to their peers based on financial ratios. approach, while VIG tracks Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings) using a seeks to track the performance of the s&p u.s. dividend growers index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments. strategy. Beta is 0.65 for SCHD and 0.81 for VIG, indicating SCHD is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
SCHD is managed by Schwab (launched 10/20/2011) with $85.9B in assets. VIG is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/21/2006) with $123.8B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is SCHD or VIG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SCHD 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 SCHD and VIG?
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index with a seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the total return of the dow jones u.s. dividend 100 index, which measures the performance of high dividend yielding stocks issued by u.s. companies with a record of consistently paying dividends, selected for fundamental strength relative to their peers based on financial ratios. strategy, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) tracks Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings) with a seeks to track the performance of the s&p u.s. dividend growers index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments. approach. They are issued by Schwab and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both SCHD and VIG?
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, SCHD or VIG?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VIG charges 0.04%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SCHD vs VIG generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in SCHD would generate roughly $27.50 per month ($330.00 annually). The same in VIG would produce about $13.00 per month ($156.00 annually).
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