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Security Comparison

VFIAX vs VOO: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 15, 2026

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 VOO.

Side-by-side snapshot

VFIAXVOO
Full nameVanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral SharesVanguard S&P 500 ETF
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Last Close$699.22 as of July 15, 2026$691.10 as of July 15, 2026
Distribution yield1.12%1.14%
Distribution Safety Score 100100
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
AUM$1000B$1033B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexS&P 500S&P 500 Index
ObjectiveSeeks to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index.Track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date09/07/2010
Beta1.01.0
Last dividend$1.9600$1.9622
Ex-dividend date06/26/202606/26/2026

Bottom lineVFIAX and VOO are nearly interchangeable — both track the S&P 500 with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: VOO is cheaper at 0.03% vs 0.04%.

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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.

Quick verdict

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) is a mutual fund, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is an ETF — they take fundamentally different approaches.

VOO offers the higher yield at 1.14% vs 1.12% for VFIAX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VOO is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.04%.

They track different benchmarks: VFIAX is linked to S&P 500 while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1033B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VFIAX would generate roughly $9.33/month, while VOO would produce $9.50/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VFIAX yield1.12%
VOO yield1.14%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.17

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, VFIAX would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $30 for VOO (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

VFIAX ER0.04%
VOO ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

Both VFIAX and VOO wrap S&P 500 with similar strategies (index and large cap). The practical differences are yield target, fee structure, and issuer track record — not the underlying mechanic.

VFIAX beta1.0
VOO beta1.0

Fund details

VFIAX is managed by Vanguard with $1000B in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1033B in assets.

VFIAX AUM$1000B
VOO AUM$1033B

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Frequently asked questions

Is VFIAX or VOO better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VOO 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 VFIAX and VOO?

Both VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) track S&P 500 with similar approaches — the labels "index" and "large cap" describe closely related mechanics. The real differences show up in yield target (1.12% vs 1.14%), expense ratio (0.04% vs 0.03%), and issuer (Vanguard vs Vanguard).

Can I hold both VFIAX and VOO?

You can, but expect significant overlap. Both funds use similar strategies on S&P 500, so holding them together gives you two wrappers around effectively the same exposure — not true diversification. Weigh issuer, fee, and yield differences rather than treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, VFIAX or VOO?

VFIAX has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VOO charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in VFIAX vs VOO generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in VFIAX would generate roughly $9.33 per month ($112.00 annually). The same in VOO would produce about $9.50 per month ($114.00 annually).

More comparisons to explore

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