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ETF Comparison

SCHG vs VGT: Growth Style or a Technology Bet?

A head-to-head of the Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF and the Vanguard Information Technology ETF covering holdings overlap, sector concentration, cost, and portfolio role.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • SCHGInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.
  • VGTInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

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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.

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.

SCHG has lagged VGT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.73% total return against 37.02%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VGT has compounded at 25.03% a year, against 18.87% for SCHG. SCHG has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 19.4% against 24.6% for VGT. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Dec 2009Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SCHG12.18%13.73%26.14%14.72%18.87%16.61%19.4%0.971.40-23.4%
VGT36.25%37.02%35.55%21.10%25.03%20.45%24.6%1.061.52-27.2%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 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 Dec 2009” measures every fund from December 11, 2009 — 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 trailing 3 years. 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 trailing 3 years) — 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.
MetricSCHGVGT
Full nameSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETFVanguard Information Technology ETF
IssuerSchwabVanguard
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexMSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50
Last Close$36.34 as of October 2, 2026$128.32 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate0.41%0.46%
Trailing 12-month yield0.38%0.37%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10093
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.41%0.43%
Expense ratio0.04%0.09%
AUM$64.3B$155B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveSeeks to track the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, holding the components ranked 1-750 by full market capitalization that are classified as growth.Seeks to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the information technology sector, including technology software and services, hardware and equipment, and semiconductor manufacturers.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/11/200901/26/2004
Beta1.221.49
Last dividend$0.037$0.1465
Ex-dividend date09/23/202609/23/2026

Bottom lineChoose SCHG if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose VGT if you want broad equity exposure.

SCHG vs VGT: style box or sector bet?

They share mega-cap technology names, so performance often rhymes. SCHG is a large-cap growth style fund. VGT is information technology only. A year that favors chips and software lifts VGT more; a year that favors growth outside tech lifts SCHG.

SCHGVGT
What it ownsUS large-cap growth stocks across sectorsUS information-technology companies only
OverlapThe largest growth-tech names sit in bothThe same mega-cap names, without the non-tech growth sleeve
Distribution rate0.41%0.46%
Expense ratio0.04%0.09%
If you already own the otherAdds non-tech growth on top of VGTConcentrates the tech slice you already hold in SCHG
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Income calculator

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

Schwab
ETFs33
Total AUM$612B

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

Schwab is a major provider of low-cost, broad-based ETFs known for making investing accessible to individual investors through its discount brokerage platform. The issuer's fund lineup spans multiple categories including core index funds, dividend and income-focused strategies, factor-based approaches, international exposure, fixed income, and digital assets, with popular core holdings like SCHB (U.S. broad market) and SCHD (dividend appreciation) alongside more specialized thematic offerings. Schwab's ETF suite is characterized by its breadth across asset classes and investment styles, competitive expense ratios, and integration with its retail brokerage ecosystem.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHG.

See all Schwab ETFs
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4676B

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 VGT.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VGT offers the higher yield at 0.46% vs 0.41% for SCHG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SCHG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.09%.

They have different reference exposures: SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while VGT is linked to MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50, which means their performance drivers differ.

VGT is the larger fund by assets ($155B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHG would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution, while VGT would produce $11.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHG yield0.41%
VGT yield0.46%
Cash diff on $10K$1.25

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHG would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $90 for VGT (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SCHG ER0.04%
VGT ER0.09%

Strategy & risk

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while VGT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50 with an index approach. Beta is 1.22 for SCHG and 1.49 for VGT, making SCHG the less volatile of the two by this measure.

SCHG beta1.22
VGT beta1.49

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $64.3B in assets. VGT is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $155B in assets.

SCHG AUM$64.3B
VGT AUM$155B
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Frequently asked questions

Do SCHG and VGT perform the same?

Not reliably. They share many of the largest US technology names, so they often move together — but they are not the same bet. SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) is a large-cap growth style fund: technology is the biggest slice, yet it also holds growth names in consumer, communications, and other sectors. VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is a sector fund: information technology only. A year when software and hardware lead, VGT can outpace SCHG; a year when growth outside tech leads, the reverse happens. Costs are 0.04% and 0.09%, with distribution yields of 0.41% and 0.46%, as of October 2026. Holding both mostly doubles the same mega-cap chip and software names.

What is the current distribution rate for SCHG and VGT?

SCHG currently distributes 0.41% and VGT 0.46%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is SCHG or VGT better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VGT 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.

Can I hold both SCHG and VGT?

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 SCHG or VGT safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SCHG scores 100, VGT scores 93, so SCHG's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. SCHG has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.22 vs 1.49 for VGT). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SCHG or VGT?

SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VGT charges 0.09%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in SCHG vs VGT generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHG would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution ($41.00 annually). The same in VGT would produce about $11.50 cash per distribution ($46.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHG or VGT?

SCHG has lagged VGT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.73% total return against 37.02%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VGT has compounded at 25.03% a year, against 18.87% for SCHG. SCHG has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 19.4% against 24.6% for VGT. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SCHG vs VGT — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

Overview

SCHG and VGT are both growth-focused ETFs but target different slices of the market. SCHG tracks the 750 largest U.S. growth companies across all sectors, while VGT isolates the information technology sector specifically. The key distinction is breadth versus concentration: SCHG offers diversified large-cap growth exposure, while VGT is a single-sector play on technology stocks.

How they differ

The biggest difference is scope. SCHG holds the growth-classified portion of the 750 largest U.S. companies by market cap across all industries; VGT holds only technology stocks of all sizes. This makes SCHG a broad growth index and VGT a concentrated sector bet.

On cost, SCHG's 0.04% expense ratio undercuts VGT's 0.09%, a gap of 0.05%. Yield is similar—0.41% for SCHG versus 0.46% for VGT—reflecting the low payout rates typical of growth equity. The real divergence is in volatility: VGT carries a 1.49 beta, meaning it tends to move nearly half again as much as the broad market, versus SCHG's 1.22 beta. VGT is also much larger by assets; at $155B, it dwarfs SCHG's $64.3B.

Who each is best for

SCHG: Fits investors seeking broad U.S. large-cap growth exposure without sector concentration. The low fee and diversification across industries suit those who want growth but prefer not to bet heavily on any one sector.

VGT: Designed for investors with conviction in technology's long-term role in the economy and a higher risk tolerance. The sector focus works for those building a satellite position around a broader core or those already holding diversified equity exposure elsewhere.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration in VGT. Technology is a single sector within the broader economy. Regulatory pressure, valuation resets, or industry disruption can hit all holdings simultaneously, whereas SCHG's diversification spreads that idiosyncratic risk across healthcare, financials, industrials, and other sectors.
  • Beta gap and drawdown severity. VGT's 1.49 beta versus SCHG's 1.22 means VGT is likely to fall harder in a growth-stock selloff or broader market correction. That leverage compounds losses in downturns.
  • Growth-stock valuation sensitivity. Both ETFs hold companies priced on future earnings rather than current cash flows. In a rising-rate environment or when growth expectations contract, these holdings can underperform value stocks more sharply than their beta alone suggests.
  • Technology sector overlap. VGT's technology holdings may include companies that also appear in SCHG's growth basket, but VGT excludes technology firms classified as value, limiting diversification benefit if held together.

Bottom line

If you want diversified U.S. growth exposure with minimal fees and moderate volatility, SCHG's broad approach and 0.04% cost stand out. If you believe technology will drive returns and accept higher swings in pursuit of that bet, VGT's sector focus and larger asset base may appeal—though its 0.09% expense ratio and 1.49 beta should be weighed against SCHG's steadier profile. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.