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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 21, 2026

ETFs34
Total AUM$586B

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

Schwab is known for offering low-cost, broad-based ETFs that serve both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies. Their 33-fund lineup spans multiple asset classes including bonds, equities, international markets, digital assets, and factor-based strategies, with a notable emphasis on dividend-focused funds like SCHD alongside core index options. The issuer emphasizes accessibility for individual investors through competitive expense ratios and a diverse range of fund families designed to support various investment objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHG.

ETFs116
Total AUM$4488B

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

Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VOO.

Side-by-side snapshot

SCHGVOO
Full nameSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETFVanguard S&P 500 ETF
IssuerSchwabVanguard
Last Close$34.15 as of July 21, 2026$682.21 as of July 21, 2026
Distribution yield0.40%1.15%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
AUM$59.8B$985B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexS&P 500 Index
ObjectiveCapital AppreciationTrack the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/11/200909/07/2010
Beta1.211.0
Last dividend$0.0340$1.9622
Ex-dividend date06/24/202606/26/2026

Bottom lineChoose SCHG if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose VOO if you want higher current income (1.15% vs 0.40% for SCHG).

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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

SCHG has lagged VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 15.00% total return against 19.43%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.33% a year, ahead of VOO at 15.03%. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.9% against 19.4% for SCHG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Sep 2010Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SCHG5.31%15.00%21.86%13.80%18.33%17.11%19.4%0.791.13-23.4%
VOO9.24%19.43%19.52%13.38%15.03%14.85%14.9%0.901.30-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 20, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Sep 2010” measures every fund from September 9, 2010 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.

Quick verdict

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VOO offers the higher yield at 1.15% vs 0.40% for SCHG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VOO is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.04%.

They track different benchmarks: SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($985B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHG would generate roughly $3.33/month, while VOO would produce $9.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHG yield0.40%
VOO yield1.15%
Monthly diff on $10K$6.25

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHG would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $30 for VOO (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SCHG ER0.04%
VOO ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index with a capital appreciation approach, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 1.21 for SCHG and 1.0 for VOO, indicating VOO is less volatile relative to the market.

SCHG beta1.21
VOO beta1.0

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $59.8B in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $985B in assets.

SCHG AUM$59.8B
VOO AUM$985B

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Frequently asked questions

Is SCHG or VOO better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VOO 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 SCHG and VOO?

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index with a capital appreciation approach, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by Schwab and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both SCHG 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.

Which has lower fees, SCHG or VOO?

SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% 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 SCHG vs VOO generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHG would generate roughly $3.33 per month ($40.00 annually). The same in VOO would produce about $9.58 per month ($115.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHG or VOO?

SCHG has lagged VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 15.00% total return against 19.43%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.33% a year, ahead of VOO at 15.03%. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.9% against 19.4% for SCHG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SCHG vs VOO — at a glance

Generated July 2026 from current fund data.

Overview

SCHG and VOO are both large-cap U.S. equity ETFs tracking passive indexes, but they differ in composition and growth orientation. SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth index—favoring companies with higher expected earnings growth—while VOO tracks the S&P 500, a broader blend of large-cap growth, value, and dividend stocks. The key distinction: SCHG isolates the growth segment of the U.S. market, whereas VOO captures the entire large-cap ecosystem.

How they differ

SCHG's largest difference from VOO is its growth tilt. By construction, SCHG holds companies screened for growth characteristics, whereas VOO includes all 500 constituents of the S&P 500 regardless of growth or value style. This shows up in beta: SCHG's 1.21 beta suggests it amplifies market moves, while VOO's 1.0 beta tracks the market directly.

The second difference is yield. VOO distributes 1.13% annually versus SCHG's 0.39%, reflecting the S&P 500's inclusion of higher-dividend value and dividend-aristocrat stocks that SCHG's growth filter excludes. Both pay quarterly.

Third is scale and cost. VOO's $1033B in assets dwarfs SCHG's $58.4B, but SCHG's expense ratio of 0.04% is only 0.01% higher than VOO's 0.03%—a negligible difference in absolute terms.

Who each is best for

SCHG: Fits investors prioritizing capital appreciation over current income, with a higher risk tolerance and a longer time horizon. The growth tilt appeals to those seeking exposure to faster-growing large-cap companies without the value or dividend drag.

VOO: Designed for investors seeking broad large-cap market exposure with a lower volatility profile and regular dividend income. Works well for buy-and-hold allocators indifferent to growth versus value style, or as a core equity holding.

Key risks to know

  • Growth concentration risk (SCHG). A growth-only filter concentrates the portfolio in technology, healthcare, and discretionary sectors. In periods when value outperforms growth—as happened in 2022–2023—SCHG underperforms the broader market significantly.
  • Market-cycle sensitivity (SCHG). A beta of 1.21 means SCHG amplifies both upside and downside moves. In a sharp correction, SCHG is likely to fall harder than VOO, which carries a 1.0 beta.
  • Valuation risk (both). Large-cap growth and broad large-cap stocks are cyclically sensitive to interest rates and earnings multiples. Rising rates or recession fears compress valuations across both funds, though SCHG faces steeper pressure given its growth weighting.
  • Style rotation (SCHG). Growth and value stocks cycle in and out of favor. Extended periods of value leadership leave SCHG trailing a diversified large-cap benchmark like the S&P 500.

Bottom line

VOO offers diversified large-cap exposure with higher yield and lower volatility; SCHG concentrates on growth at the cost of more pronounced market swings and sector concentration. If you want broad market participation with income, VOO is the simpler choice; if you're comfortable with larger moves in pursuit of growth, SCHG's lower yield reflects its different mandate. Either way, 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.

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