ETF Comparison

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

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

Data updated July 5, 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 VTI.

See all Vanguard ETFs

Side-by-side snapshot

	SPLG	VTI
Full name	SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
Issuer	State Street	Vanguard
Last Close	$80.86 as of July 5, 2026	$368.76 as of July 5, 2026
Distribution yield	1.18%	1.13%
Distribution Safety Score	79	100
Expense ratio	0.02%	0.03%
AUM	$97.3B	$654B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Underlying index	S&P 500 Index	CRSP US Total Market Index
Objective	Track the S&P 500 Index at a low expense ratio for core U.S. equity exposure.	Track the CRSP US Total Market Index, representing the broad U.S. equity market.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	11/08/2005	05/24/2001
Beta	1.0	1.0379
Last dividend	$0.2392	$1.0437
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 lagged VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 22.04% total return against 22.40%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SPLG has compounded at 15.45% a year, ahead of VTI at 14.94%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Nov 2005	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
SPLG	9.63%	22.04%	20.42%	13.18%	15.45%	11.23%	14.9%	0.95	1.37	-18.7%
VTI	9.99%	22.40%	20.09%	11.97%	14.94%	11.12%	15.4%	0.90	1.30	-19.3%

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 Nov 2005” measures every fund from November 15, 2005 — 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 VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SPLG offers the higher yield at 1.18% vs 1.13% for VTI. 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%.

They track different benchmarks: SPLG is linked to S&P 500 Index while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VTI is the larger fund by assets ($654B), 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 VTI would produce $9.42/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SPLG yield1.18%

VTI yield1.13%

Monthly diff on $10K$0.42

Cost & efficiency

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

SPLG ER0.02%

VTI ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index with a basket approach. Beta is 1.0 for SPLG and 1.0379 for VTI, indicating SPLG is less volatile relative to the market.

SPLG beta1.0

VTI beta1.0379

Fund details

SPLG is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $97.3B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $654B in assets.

SPLG AUM$97.3B

VTI AUM$654B

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Frequently asked questions

Is SPLG or VTI 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 VTI?

SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) tracks CRSP US Total Market Index with a basket approach. They are issued by State Street and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both SPLG and VTI?

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, SPLG or VTI?

SPLG has an expense ratio of 0.02% while VTI 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 VTI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SPLG would generate roughly $9.83 per month ($118.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $9.42 per month ($113.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SPLG or VTI?

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SPLG vs VTI — at a glance

Generated June 2026 from current fund data.

Overview

SPLG and VTI are both broad U.S. equity index ETFs designed to track the stock market at rock-bottom costs, but they differ in scope. SPLG tracks only the S&P 500 (the 500 largest companies), while VTI tracks the entire CRSP U.S. Total Market Index, which includes mid-cap, small-cap, and micro-cap stocks alongside large-caps. For most investors, this difference in breadth is the deciding factor between them.

How they differ

The core distinction is market coverage: SPLG gives you the 500 largest U.S. companies, while VTI includes roughly 3,500 stocks across all market capitalizations. This means VTI holds mid and small-cap exposure that SPLG doesn't, adding diversification beyond mega-cap names. On fees, they're nearly identical—SPLG charges 0.02% while VTI costs 0.03%—a trivial difference on small accounts. VTI is substantially larger, with $654B in assets versus SPLG's undisclosed AUM, which typically translates to tighter bid-ask spreads and deeper liquidity. Both pay quarterly dividends; VTI's reported distribution rate is 1.10%.

Who each is best for

SPLG: Fits investors seeking pure large-cap U.S. exposure with the absolute lowest fees. Works well as a core holding for those confident that the largest 500 companies capture most U.S. equity market returns.

VTI: Designed for investors who want complete market-cap diversification in a single holding, capturing small and mid-cap premium potential alongside large-cap stability. Appeals to buy-and-hold portfolios seeking maximum breadth without needing separate small-cap tilts.

Key risks to know

Concentration in large caps: SPLG's S&P 500 focus means roughly 25–30% of the fund is typically held in the "Magnificent Seven" and other mega-cap names, limiting diversification versus the full market.

Mid and small-cap omission: SPLG excludes the mid-cap and small-cap universe entirely. If those segments outperform large-caps (as they have in certain cycles), SPLG will lag VTI.

Small-cap volatility in VTI: VTI's inclusion of roughly 2,000 smaller stocks adds price volatility, particularly during risk-off periods when small caps sell off harder than large caps. Beta of 1.0379 reflects this slightly higher market sensitivity.

Sector drift overlap: Both funds are heavily weighted to technology and financials. Holding both alongside sector-specific holdings can create unintended concentration.

Bottom line

If you want the most diversified single holding across all U.S. market caps and can tolerate slightly higher volatility from smaller stocks, VTI's broader index justifies the one basis point fee difference. If you prefer the simplicity and certainty of owning the 500 largest companies with absolute minimal fees, SPLG delivers equivalent simplicity at marginally lower cost. Past performance doesn't predict future results—periods of small-cap outperformance and underperformance have both occurred, and fee differences will compound modestly over decades.

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