ETF Comparison
VTI vs SPYI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF and NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 2, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| VTI | SPYI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF |
| Issuer | Vanguard | NEOS |
| Price | $320.81 | $49.37 |
| Distribution yield | 1.11% | 12.04% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.68% |
| AUM | $2088.9B | $8.1B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| 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. | Seeks to generate high monthly income in a tax efficient manner while targeting equity appreciation. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 05/24/2001 | 08/29/2022 |
| Beta | 1.04 | 0.68 |
| Last dividend | $1.00 | $0.53 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/27/2026 | 01/21/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Quick verdict
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income 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.
SPYI offers the higher yield at 12.04% vs 1.11% for VTI. 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 0.68%.
They track different benchmarks: VTI is linked to CRSP US Total Market Index while SPYI 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 SPYI would produce $100.33/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 $680 for SPYI (simplified, not compounded). The $650.00 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 SPYI tracks S&P 500 Index using a seeks to generate high monthly income in a tax efficient manner while targeting equity appreciation. strategy. Beta is 1.04 for VTI and 0.68 for SPYI, indicating SPYI is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $2088.9B in assets. SPYI is managed by NEOS (launched 08/29/2022) with $8.1B 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 SPYI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SPYI 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 SPYI?
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 SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a seeks to generate high monthly income in a tax efficient manner while targeting equity appreciation. approach. They are issued by Vanguard and NEOS respectively.
Can I hold both VTI and SPYI?
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 SPYI?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPYI charges 0.68%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in VTI vs SPYI generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in VTI would generate roughly $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually). The same in SPYI would produce about $100.33 per month ($1,204.00 annually).
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