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ETF Comparison

SOXX vs VGT: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Semiconductor ETF and Vanguard Information Technology ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

  • SOXXInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VGTInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

SOXX has outpaced VGT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 109.63% total return against 35.97%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SOXX has compounded at 31.97% a year, against 24.36% for VGT. VGT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 24.6% against 39.4% for SOXX. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Jan 2004Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SOXX65.84%109.63%47.70%29.87%31.97%16.17%39.4%0.881.25-41.4%
VGT26.00%35.97%31.57%19.20%24.36%15.02%24.6%0.941.34-27.2%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jan 2004” measures every fund from January 30, 2004 — 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.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricSOXXVGT
Full nameiShares Semiconductor ETFVanguard Information Technology ETF
IssueriSharesVanguard
Last Close$531.39 as of August 19, 2026$119.79 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield0.21%0.46%
Distribution Safety Score™ 8093
Expense ratio0.33%0.09%
AUM$43.5B$151B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexICE Semiconductor Indexa basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdings
ObjectiveTracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.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 date07/10/200101/26/2004
Beta2.321.47
Last dividend$0.2830$0.1384
Ex-dividend date06/15/202606/24/2026

Bottom lineSOXX and VGT are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: VGT charges 0.09% against 0.33% for SOXX, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.

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iShares
ETFs473
Total AUM$4710B

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

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXX.

See all iShares ETFs
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4703B

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

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor 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 0.21% for SOXX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VGT is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.09% compared to 0.33%.

They track different benchmarks: SOXX is linked to ICE Semiconductor Index while VGT tracks a basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdings, which means their performance drivers differ.

VGT is the larger fund by assets ($151B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SOXX would generate roughly $1.75/month, while VGT would produce $3.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SOXX yield0.21%
VGT yield0.46%
Monthly diff on $10K$2.08

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SOXX would cost approximately $330 in fees vs $90 for VGT (simplified, not compounded). The $240.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SOXX ER0.33%
VGT ER0.09%

Strategy & risk

SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, while VGT holds a basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdings. Beta is 2.32 for SOXX and 1.47 for VGT, making VGT the less volatile of the two by this measure.

SOXX beta2.32
VGT beta1.47

Fund details

SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $43.5B in assets. VGT is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $151B in assets.

SOXX AUM$43.5B
VGT AUM$151B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for SOXX and VGT?

SOXX currently distributes 0.21% and VGT 0.46%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is SOXX 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.

What is the difference between SOXX and VGT?

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) holds a basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdings. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both SOXX 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 SOXX 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 — VGT scores 93, SOXX scores 80, so VGT's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. VGT has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.47 vs 2.32 for SOXX). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SOXX or VGT?

SOXX has an expense ratio of 0.33% 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 SOXX vs VGT generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SOXX would generate roughly $1.75 per month ($21.00 annually). The same in VGT would produce about $3.83 per month ($46.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SOXX or VGT?

SOXX has outpaced VGT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 109.63% total return against 35.97%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SOXX has compounded at 31.97% a year, against 24.36% for VGT. VGT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 24.6% against 39.4% for SOXX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SOXX vs VGT — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

SOXX and VGT are both technology-focused equity ETFs that track US-listed companies, but they differ fundamentally in scope. SOXX targets semiconductor companies exclusively via the ICE Semiconductor Index, making it a concentrated play on a single subsector. VGT casts a wider net, tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology Index, which includes software, services, hardware, and semiconductor makers across large, mid, and small caps. The result: SOXX is a specialized bet on chip makers; VGT is a diversified technology sector fund.

How they differ

SOXX's single-sector focus is its defining characteristic—it holds only semiconductor manufacturers, giving it outsized leverage to chip-cycle swings. VGT spreads across the entire information technology sector, diluting any single subsector's influence on the fund's performance. That structural difference shows up in beta: SOXX's 2.32 is more than 50% higher than VGT's 1.47, reflecting its concentrated volatility. The yield gap is modest (SOXX at 0.21% versus VGT at 0.45%), but VGT's expense ratio of 0.10% undercuts SOXX's 0.35% by a meaningful margin. VGT also commands substantially larger assets under management at $147B compared to SOXX's $47.6B.

Who each is best for

SOXX: Fits investors who want concentrated exposure to semiconductor upside and can tolerate sharp drawdowns during industry downturns; those seeking a pure-play chip sector allocation rather than broad tech diversification.

VGT: Fits investors seeking broad-based technology sector exposure without single-subsector concentration; those prioritizing lower volatility and lower fees as a core tech holding.

Key risks to know

  • Semiconductor cyclicality (SOXX-specific). SOXX's holdings move in lockstep with chip demand cycles and supply-chain disruptions. During industry troughs, concentration amplifies losses; during booms, gains are also magnified. VGT's diversification across software, services, and hardware dampens this cyclical swoon.
  • Elevated beta and volatility. SOXX's beta of 2.32 means it typically swings more than twice as hard as the broader market during downturns. VGT's 1.47 beta still signals tech sector sensitivity but at a materially lower amplitude.
  • Sector concentration risk (both, but SOXX more acute). Both funds carry technology sector risk—earnings misses, regulatory scrutiny, or macro slowdowns can crimp all tech stocks at once. SOXX's single-subsector design offers no refuge within the fund itself.
  • Overlapping holdings. Semiconductor companies make up a portion of VGT's index as well. Investors holding both would have meaningful overlap and redundant exposure to major chip makers.

Bottom line

If you want concentrated semiconductor exposure and can stomach the higher volatility, SOXX delivers pure sector access at a reasonable asset base. If you prefer a diversified technology platform with lower fees and half the beta, VGT offers that trade-off. Past performance in either subsector 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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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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