ETF Comparison
VTI vs SPLG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| VTI | SPLG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF |
| Issuer | Vanguard | State Street |
| Price | $323.24 | $80.86 |
| Distribution yield | 1.11% | 1.13% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| AUM | $2088.9B | $97.3B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | CRSP US Total Market Index | S&P 500 Index |
| Objective | Track the CRSP US Total Market Index, representing the broad U.S. equity market. | Track the S&P 500 Index at a low expense ratio for core U.S. equity exposure. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 05/24/2001 | 11/08/2005 |
| Beta | 1.04 | 1.0 |
| Last dividend | $1.00 | $0.19 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/27/2026 | 03/13/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both popular quarterly-pay track the crsp us total market index, representing the broad u.s. equity market. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SPLG offers the higher yield at 1.13% vs 1.11% 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: VTI is linked to CRSP US Total Market Index while SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
VTI is the larger fund by assets ($2088.9B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, VTI would generate roughly $9.25/month while SPLG would produce $9.42/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, VTI would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $20 for SPLG (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index with a track the crsp us total market index, representing the broad u.s. equity market. approach, while SPLG tracks S&P 500 Index using a track the s&p 500 index at a low expense ratio for core u.s. equity exposure. strategy. Beta is 1.04 for VTI and 1.0 for SPLG, indicating SPLG is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $2088.9B in assets. SPLG is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $97.3B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is VTI or SPLG 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 VTI and SPLG?
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) tracks CRSP US Total Market Index with a track the crsp us total market index, representing the broad u.s. equity market. strategy, while SPLG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index at a low expense ratio for core u.s. equity exposure. approach. They are issued by Vanguard and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both VTI and SPLG?
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, VTI or SPLG?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPLG charges 0.02%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in VTI vs SPLG generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in VTI would generate roughly $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually). The same in SPLG would produce about $9.42 per month ($113.00 annually).
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