ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 4, 2026

State Street

ETFs182

Total AUM$2107B

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

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SPLG.

See all State Street ETFs

Vanguard

ETFs115

Total AUM$4484B

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.

See all Vanguard ETFs

Side-by-side snapshot

	SPLG	VOO
Full name	SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Issuer	State Street	Vanguard
Last Close	$80.86 as of July 4, 2026	$684.84 as of July 4, 2026
Distribution yield	1.18%	1.15%
Distribution Safety Score	79	100
Expense ratio	0.02%	0.03%
AUM	$97.3B	$1033B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Underlying index	S&P 500 Index	S&P 500 Index
Objective	Track the S&P 500 Index at a low expense ratio for core U.S. equity exposure.	Track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	11/08/2005	09/07/2010
Beta	1.0	1.0
Last dividend	$0.2392	$1.9622
Ex-dividend date	06/12/2026	06/26/2026

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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

SPLG has outpaced VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 22.04% total return against 21.69%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPLG has compounded at 15.45% a year, against 15.38% for VOO. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Sep 2010	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
SPLG	9.63%	22.04%	20.42%	13.18%	15.45%	14.87%	14.9%	0.95	1.37	-18.7%
VOO	9.34%	21.69%	20.30%	13.11%	15.38%	14.91%	14.9%	0.95	1.36	-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 2, 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

SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SPLG offers the higher yield at 1.18% vs 1.15% for VOO. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SPLG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.02% compared to 0.03%.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1033B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SPLG would generate roughly $9.83/month, while VOO would produce $9.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SPLG yield1.18%

VOO yield1.15%

Monthly diff on $10K$0.25

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SPLG would cost approximately $20 in fees vs $30 for VOO (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SPLG ER0.02%

VOO ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

Both SPLG and VOO wrap S&P 500 Index with similar strategies (large cap and large cap). The practical differences are yield target, fee structure, and issuer track record — not the underlying mechanic.

SPLG beta1.0

VOO beta1.0

Fund details

SPLG is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $97.3B in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1033B in assets.

SPLG AUM$97.3B

VOO AUM$1033B

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Frequently asked questions

Is SPLG or VOO better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SPLG 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 SPLG and VOO?

Both SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) track S&P 500 Index with similar approaches — the labels "large cap" and "large cap" describe closely related mechanics. The real differences show up in yield target (1.18% vs 1.15%), expense ratio (0.02% vs 0.03%), and issuer (State Street vs Vanguard).

Can I hold both SPLG and VOO?

You can, but expect significant overlap. Both funds use similar strategies on S&P 500 Index, so holding them together gives you two wrappers around effectively the same exposure — not true diversification. Weigh issuer, fee, and yield differences rather than treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, SPLG or VOO?

SPLG has an expense ratio of 0.02% 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 SPLG vs VOO generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SPLG would generate roughly $9.83 per month ($118.00 annually). The same in VOO would produce about $9.58 per month ($115.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SPLG or VOO?

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SPLG vs VOO — at a glance

Generated June 2026 from current fund data.

Overview

SPLG and VOO are both passively managed ETFs tracking the S&P 500 Index, holding identical underlying exposure to 500 large-cap U.S. companies. The funds differ in issuer (State Street versus Vanguard), expense ratio (0.02% versus 0.03%), and AUM scale, with VOO substantially larger at $1033B. Both are designed for core equity exposure with quarterly dividend distributions and a beta of 1.0 to the broader market.

How they differ

The single biggest difference is cost: SPLG charges 0.02% annually while VOO charges 0.03%, a 50% gap that widens as assets grow. VOO's massive AUM of $1033B versus SPLG's smaller but still substantial base reflects Vanguard's market leadership in index ETFs; this scale often translates to slightly tighter bid-ask spreads and higher trading liquidity for VOO, though both funds trade with minimal slippage. Both funds distribute quarterly and carry identical market beta of 1.0, making them functionally interchangeable in terms of underlying returns before fees—the expense ratio difference is the deciding factor for most investors seeking pure S&P 500 exposure.

Who each is best for

SPLG: Fits investors prioritizing the lowest possible fee layer, particularly those building large core positions where that 0.01% annual saving compounds meaningfully over decades.

VOO: Fits investors who value the combination of rock-bottom fees and the operational advantages of Vanguard's platform—including broader research integration, mutual fund share classes, and Vanguard's common-ownership structure.

Key risks to know

Tracking error floor: Both funds are so efficient at replicating the index that meaningful differentiation comes only from fees, leaving expense ratio as the sole source of relative performance over time.

Market concentration: The S&P 500's largest 10 holdings represent roughly 30% of index weight, meaning both funds carry material concentration risk to mega-cap technology and financial names regardless of which ETF you hold.

S&P 500 sector cyclicality: Technology and Financials dominate the index, creating sensitivity to interest-rate cycles and tech valuation shocks that can impact both funds equally.

Liquidity event risk: While both funds are extremely liquid, severe market dislocations can widen spreads even on mega-cap index products if underlying stocks halt trading.

Bottom line

If you're optimizing for fees, SPLG's 0.02% expense ratio saves a basis point annually; if you value the broader Vanguard ecosystem and don't mind paying 0.03%, VOO's scale and integration may offset the extra cost. Either fund delivers genuine S&P 500 exposure with minimal friction, and the performance gap will almost entirely reflect the 0.01% fee difference over a full market cycle. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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