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ETF Comparison

VGT vs VOO: A Tech Bet, or Broad Large Caps?

A head-to-head of Vanguard's Information Technology ETF and its S&P 500 ETF covering sector tilt, cost, and why holding both doubles tech.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

  • VGTInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VOOInvestors who want higher current income (1.11% vs 0.46% for VGT).

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

VGT has outpaced VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 35.97% total return against 20.95%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VGT has compounded at 24.36% a year, against 15.30% for VOO. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.9% against 24.6% for VGT. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Sep 2010Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
VGT26.00%35.97%31.57%19.20%24.36%21.19%24.6%0.941.34-27.2%
VOO13.20%20.95%22.16%13.44%15.30%15.02%14.9%1.051.51-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Sep 2010” measures every fund from September 9, 2010 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricVGTVOO
Full nameVanguard Information Technology ETFVanguard S&P 500 ETF
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Last Close$119.79 as of August 19, 2026$705.40 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield0.46%1.11%
Distribution Safety Score™ 93100
Expense ratio0.09%0.03%
AUM$151B$1045B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexa basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdingsS&P 500 Index
ObjectiveSeeks to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the information technology sector, including technology software and services, hardware and equipment, and semiconductor manufacturers.Track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date01/26/200409/07/2010
Beta1.471.0
Last dividend$0.1384$1.9622
Ex-dividend date06/24/202606/26/2026

Bottom lineChoose VGT if you want broad equity exposure. Choose VOO if you want higher current income (1.11% vs 0.46% for VGT).

VGT vs VOO: tech sector or the S&P 500?

VOO already includes most of VGT's mega-cap names. Holding both doubles information technology already inside the S&P 500.

VGTVOO
What it ownsa basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdingsS&P 500 Index
Expense ratio0.09%0.03%
Distribution yield0.46%1.11%
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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4703B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VGT and VOO.

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Quick verdict

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VOO offers the higher yield at 1.11% vs 0.46% for VGT. 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 0.09%.

They track different benchmarks: VGT is linked to a basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdings while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1045B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VGT would generate roughly $3.83/month, while VOO would produce $9.25/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VGT yield0.46%
VOO yield1.11%
Monthly diff on $10K$5.42

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, VGT would cost approximately $90 in fees vs $30 for VOO (simplified, not compounded). The $60.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

VGT ER0.09%
VOO ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

VGT holds a basket of Vanguard Information Technology ETF holdings, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 1.47 for VGT and 1.0 for VOO, making VOO the less volatile of the two by this measure.

VGT beta1.47
VOO beta1.0

Fund details

VGT is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $151B in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1045B in assets.

VGT AUM$151B
VOO AUM$1045B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between VGT and VOO?

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Vanguard's information-technology sector fund. VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index and already includes most of those tech names. Cost is 0.09% versus 0.03%; distributions are 0.46% and 1.11% as of August 2026. Holding both doubles the tech weight already inside VOO.

What is the current distribution yield for VGT and VOO?

VGT currently distributes 0.46% and VOO 1.11%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is VGT 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.

Can I hold both VGT and VOO?

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.

Is VGT or VOO safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — VOO scores 100, VGT scores 93, so VOO's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. VOO has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.00 vs 1.47 for VGT). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, VGT or VOO?

VGT has an expense ratio of 0.09% 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 VGT vs VOO generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in VGT would generate roughly $3.83 per month ($46.00 annually). The same in VOO would produce about $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VGT or VOO?

VGT has outpaced VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 35.97% total return against 20.95%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VGT has compounded at 24.36% a year, against 15.30% for VOO. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.9% against 24.6% for VGT. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

VGT vs VOO — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

VGT and VOO are broad U.S. equity ETFs from Vanguard, but they target fundamentally different market segments. VOO tracks the S&P 500—the 500 largest U.S. companies across all sectors—while VGT is a pure-play technology fund holding large, mid, and small-cap tech stocks only. The key distinction is sector concentration: VOO provides diversified broad-market exposure, while VGT delivers amplified exposure to information technology, semiconductors, and software.

How they differ

The biggest difference is scope: VOO holds 500 companies spanning all economic sectors, while VGT holds only technology stocks. This makes VGT roughly 2.5 times as volatile as the market overall (beta of 1.47 versus VOO's 1.0), meaning it swings harder in both directions.

Second, yield diverges materially. VOO pays a 1.10% distribution rate, nearly 2.5 times VGT's 0.45%. This reflects the tech sector's traditional focus on capital gains and reinvestment over dividend payout—VGT's technology holdings tend to retain earnings rather than distribute them. VOO's broader mix includes financials, industrials, energy, and consumer staples, sectors with higher dividend yields that pull the overall distribution higher.

Third, cost and scale differ modestly. VOO's expense ratio is 0.03% versus VGT's 0.10%, a small but meaningful gap over decades. VOO also dwarfs VGT in assets under management at $1032B versus $147B, reflecting its role as a core holding for many investors.

Who each is best for

VGT: Fits investors who want concentrated exposure to the technology sector and can tolerate higher volatility to pursue tech-driven growth without sector diversification.

VOO: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to the largest U.S. companies across all sectors, with a preference for higher income and lower volatility than a single-sector fund.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration in VGT. Holding only technology stocks means the fund moves in lockstep with tech sentiment and valuations; a sector-wide downturn hits hard without shelter from other industries. VOO's 500-company diversification across sectors provides some natural hedge.
  • Higher volatility in VGT. With a beta of 1.47, VGT amplifies market swings by roughly 50% compared to the broad market. Investors uncomfortable with large price swings relative to VOO's 1.0 beta may find it unsettling.
  • Lower income from VGT. The 0.45% yield reflects the tech sector's structural preference for growth over dividends. Investors relying on quarterly distributions for cash flow will receive significantly less from VGT than VOO.
  • Exposure overlap. Both funds hold many of the same mega-cap tech stocks (Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and others). The "diversification" benefit of holding both is limited; VGT simply overweights an already large position within VOO's portfolio.

Bottom line

VOO offers broad diversification, lower cost, and higher income—the all-purpose core holding. VGT is for investors who have already decided they want a tech tilt and can tolerate the concentrated sector bet and higher volatility that comes with it. Past performance in either fund doesn't predict future results, and sector rotation can swing the relative attractiveness of each over time.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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