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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.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • VGTInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VOOInvestors who want higher current income (1.03% 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

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

VGT has outpaced VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 37.02% total return against 16.45%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VGT has compounded at 25.03% a year, against 15.46% for VOO. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.8% 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Sep 2010Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
VGT36.25%37.02%35.55%21.10%25.03%21.61%24.6%1.061.52-27.2%
VOO13.59%16.45%23.23%13.71%15.46%14.93%14.8%1.111.61-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Sep 2010” measures every fund from September 9, 2010 — the start of shared available history — 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
Underlying indexMSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50S&P 500 Index
Last Close$128.32 as of October 2, 2026$707.54 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate0.46%1.03%
Trailing 12-month yield0.37%1.05%
Distribution Safety Score™ 93100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.43%1.03%
Expense ratio0.09%0.03%
AUM$155B$1041B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
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
Beta1.491.0
Last dividend$0.1465$1.8226
Ex-dividend date09/23/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineChoose VGT if you want broad equity exposure. Choose VOO if you want higher current income (1.03% 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 rate0.46%1.03%
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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$4676B

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 1.03% 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 have different reference exposures: VGT is linked to MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50 while VOO is linked to S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1041B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VGT would generate roughly $11.50 cash per distribution, while VOO would produce $25.75 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VGT yield0.46%
VOO yield1.03%
Cash diff on $10K$14.25

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 tracks MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50 with an index approach, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 1.49 for VGT and 1.0 for VOO, making VOO the less volatile of the two by this measure.

VGT beta1.49
VOO beta1.0

Fund details

VGT is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $155B in assets. VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1041B in assets.

VGT AUM$155B
VOO AUM$1041B
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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 1.03% as of October 2026. Holding both doubles the tech weight already inside VOO.

What is the current distribution rate for VGT and VOO?

VGT currently distributes 0.46% and VOO 1.03%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate 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 1.49 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 $11.50 cash per distribution ($46.00 annually). The same in VOO would produce about $25.75 cash per distribution ($103.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VGT or VOO?

VGT has outpaced VOO over the trailing twelve months, posting a 37.02% total return against 16.45%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VGT has compounded at 25.03% a year, against 15.46% for VOO. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.8% 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 October 3, 2026.

Overview

VGT and VOO are both Vanguard index ETFs tracking U.S. equities, but they differ fundamentally in scope and concentration. VGT focuses exclusively on the information technology sector across market caps, while VOO holds the 500 largest companies across all sectors. VGT will move with tech earnings and sentiment; VOO moves with the broader economy.

How they differ

The most obvious difference is scope: VOO holds 500 large-cap stocks from every sector, while VGT holds only technology stocks of various sizes. This means VGT's composition changes with industry composition—semiconductors, software, hardware—while VOO's is broader and more stable.

VGT carries significantly higher volatility. Its beta of 1.49 means it swings roughly 50% harder than the overall market, while VOO's beta of 1.0 moves with the S&P 500 by definition. That volatility shows up in different yield territory: VOO yields 1.03% against VGT's 0.46%, reflecting tech's historically lower dividend payout culture. VOO is vastly larger at $1041B in assets versus VGT's $155B, giving it enormous trading volume.

Who each is best for

VGT: Fits investors with higher risk tolerance seeking concentrated exposure to technology innovation and growth, who can tolerate outsized gains and losses relative to the broader market and are comfortable with minimal dividend income.

VOO: Fits investors pursuing broad market exposure with lower volatility, those who want simplicity in a single holding, and those seeking a larger distribution yield with the diversification of the 500 largest U.S. companies.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration risk (VGT): Technology represents a significant and cyclical portion of market returns. Downturns in software valuations, semiconductor demand, or interest-rate sensitivity of unprofitable tech firms hit VGT far harder than a diversified portfolio.
  • Volatility amplification (VGT): The 1.49 beta means a 20% market downturn could translate to a 30% decline in VGT, which compounds timing pressure during extended corrections.
  • Valuation dependency (VGT): Tech stocks have historically traded at premium multiples. Shifts in inflation expectations or Fed policy that compress those multiples can create sustained headwinds independent of earnings growth.
  • Large-cap bias (VOO): Both funds are index-heavy toward the largest names. Over long periods, market concentration in mega-cap stocks has left mid- and small-cap returns behind, a pattern that could continue.

Bottom line

If you want broad U.S. equity exposure with lower volatility and higher yield, VOO's simplicity and diversification are hard to match. If you're betting on technology's structural growth and can absorb larger swings, VGT offers concentrated upside—but tech's cyclical nature means timing and entry price matter more. Past performance does not predict future results; neither fund's historical returns guarantee future ones.

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

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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.