ETF Comparison
SPY vs VTI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| SPY | VTI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF |
| Issuer | State Street | Vanguard |
| Price | $655.24 | $323.24 |
| Distribution yield | 1.06% | 1.11% |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| AUM | $698.3B | $2088.9B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | S&P 500 Index | CRSP US Total Market Index |
| Objective | Track the S&P 500 Index before expenses. | Track the CRSP US Total Market Index, representing the broad U.S. equity market. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 01/22/1993 | 05/24/2001 |
| Beta | 1.0 | 1.04 |
| Last dividend | $1.80 | $1.00 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/20/2026 | 03/27/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both popular quarterly-pay track the s&p 500 index before expenses. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VTI offers the higher yield at 1.11% vs 1.06% for SPY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VTI is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.09%.
They track different benchmarks: SPY 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 ($2088.9B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SPY would generate roughly $8.83/month while VTI would produce $9.25/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPY would cost approximately $90 in fees vs $30 for VTI (simplified, not compounded). The $60.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index before expenses. approach, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index using a track the crsp us total market index, representing the broad u.s. equity market. strategy. Beta is 1.0 for SPY and 1.04 for VTI, indicating SPY is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $698.3B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $2088.9B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPY or VTI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VTI 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 VTI?
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index before expenses. strategy, while 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. approach. They are issued by State Street and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both SPY 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, SPY or VTI?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% 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 SPY vs VTI generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in SPY would generate roughly $8.83 per month ($106.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually).
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