A head-to-head comparison of SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
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 SPY.
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 VIG.
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares
Issuer
State Street
Vanguard
Last Close
$751.83 as of July 15, 2026
$237.30 as of July 15, 2026
Distribution yield
1.01%
1.68%
Distribution Safety Score
100
100
Expense ratio
0.10%
0.06%
AUM
$783B
$108B
Distribution frequency
Quarterly
Quarterly
Underlying index
S&P 500 Index
a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings
Objective
Track the S&P 500 Index before expenses.
Seeks to track the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
01/22/1993
04/21/2006
Beta
1.0
0.75
Last dividend
$1.9035
$0.9990
Ex-dividend date
09/18/2026
06/26/2026
Bottom lineChoose SPY if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose VIG if you want higher current income (1.68% vs 1.01% for SPY).
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VIG offers the higher yield at 1.68% vs 1.01% for SPY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VIG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.06% compared to 0.10%.
They track different benchmarks: SPY is linked to S&P 500 Index while VIG tracks a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings, which means their performance drivers differ.
SPY is the larger fund by assets ($783B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SPY would generate roughly $8.42/month, while VIG would produce $14.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
SPY yield1.01%
VIG yield1.68%
Monthly diff on $10K$5.58
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPY would cost approximately $100 in fees vs $60 for VIG (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SPY ER0.10%
VIG ER0.06%
Strategy & risk
SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VIG holds a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings with an index approach. Beta is 1.0 for SPY and 0.75 for VIG, indicating VIG is less volatile relative to the market.
SPY beta1.0
VIG beta0.75
Fund details
SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $783B in assets. VIG is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/21/2006) with $108B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is SPY or VIG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VIG 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 SPY and VIG?
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) holds a basket of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings with an index approach. They are issued by State Street and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both SPY and VIG?
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, SPY or VIG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VIG charges 0.06%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SPY vs VIG generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SPY would generate roughly $8.42 per month ($101.00 annually). The same in VIG would produce about $14.00 per month ($168.00 annually).
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