ETF Comparison

VIG vs VTI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated May 20, 2026

Vanguard

ETFs48

Total AUM$11763.3B

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 serve as core portfolio holdings for individual investors. Their fund lineup emphasizes core equity exposure and dividend income strategies, with offerings spanning domestic growth (VGT, VUG), broad market indices (VOO), dividend-focused portfolios (VYM, VIG), and international high dividend yield opportunities (VONG, VYMI). The issuer's seven funds are characterized by expense ratios among the industry's lowest and a focus on long-term, buy-and-hold investors seeking diversified equity exposure.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VIG and VTI.

See all Vanguard ETFs

Side-by-side snapshot

	VIG	VTI
Full name	Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares	Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
Issuer	Vanguard	Vanguard
Last Close	$230.46 as of May 20, 2026	$362.36 as of May 20, 2026
Distribution yield	1.51%	1.03%
Expense ratio	0.04%	0.03%
AUM	$124.6B	$2202.6B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Underlying index	Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings)	CRSP US Total Market Index
Objective	Seeks to track the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments.	Track the CRSP US Total Market Index, representing the broad U.S. equity market.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	04/21/2006	05/24/2001
Beta	0.79	1.03
Last dividend	$0.83	$1.00
Ex-dividend date	03/27/2026	03/27/2026

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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

VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VIG offers the higher yield at 1.51% vs 1.03% 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 0.04%.

They track different benchmarks: VIG is linked to Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings) while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VTI is the larger fund by assets ($2202.6B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VIG would generate roughly $12.58/month, while VTI would produce $8.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VIG yield1.51%

VTI yield1.03%

Monthly diff on $10K$4.00

Cost & efficiency

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

VIG ER0.04%

VTI ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

VIG tracks Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings) with an index approach, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index using a basket strategy. Beta is 0.79 for VIG and 1.03 for VTI, indicating VIG is less volatile relative to the market.

VIG beta0.79

VTI beta1.03

Fund details

VIG is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/21/2006) with $124.6B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $2202.6B in assets.

VIG AUM$124.6B

VTI AUM$2202.6B

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Frequently asked questions

Is VIG or VTI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VIG 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 VIG and VTI?

VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares) tracks Basket (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF holdings) with an index strategy, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) tracks CRSP US Total Market Index with a basket approach. They are issued by Vanguard and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both VIG 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, VIG or VTI?

VIG has an expense ratio of 0.04% 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 VIG vs VTI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in VIG would generate roughly $12.58 per month ($151.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $8.58 per month ($103.00 annually).

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VIG vs VTI — at a glance

Generated April 2026 from current fund data.

Overview

VIG and VTI are both Vanguard index ETFs tracking different slices of the U.S. equity market. VIG targets companies with at least 10 years of consecutive dividend increases (the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index), while VTI captures the entire U.S. stock market from mega-cap to micro-cap. The key distinction: VIG is a screened subset emphasizing dividend history and stability; VTI is market-cap-weighted and unscreened, including non-dividend payers and high-growth firms.

How they differ

VTI's biggest advantage is breadth. With $1.99 trillion in AUM and a beta of 1.04, it mirrors the full market; VIG's $117 billion and 0.83 beta reveal a narrower portfolio tilted toward large, stable, dividend-growing stocks. VIG yields 1.55% versus VTI's 1.08%—a 47-basis-point spread driven by VIG's dividend filter, not superior returns. Both charge virtually nothing (VIG 0.04%, VTI 0.03%), so the fee difference is trivial. VTI's lower beta and broader exposure mean it will underperform in dividend-driven bull markets but outpace VIG when growth and small-caps lead.

Who each is best for

VIG: Conservative income-focused investors seeking a dividend-growing portfolio with lower volatility; works well in taxable accounts because dividend growth tends to mean lower capital gains turnover.

VTI: Long-term buy-and-hold investors seeking maximum diversification across the entire U.S. market; ideal for tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA) where the slight yield drag doesn't matter and you capture small-cap upside.

Key risks to know

Market concentration. VIG's screening excludes high-growth and non-dividend payers (tech, small-caps). In growth-led markets, it will lag VTI materially; in value rallies, it outperforms.

Dividend cut risk. VIG screens for history of increases, not sustainability. Companies can break their streak; the strategy offers no guarantee against dividend cuts or suspensions.

Beta and volatility. VIG's 0.83 beta signals lower downside capture but also lower upside in recoveries. VTI's 1.04 beta means fuller market swings—both ways.

Size bias. VIG skews toward large-cap stable firms; it underweights small and mid-caps that may offer stronger long-term growth.

Bottom line

If you want income with lower volatility and don't mind missing growth cycles, VIG delivers a dividend-focused screen at an ultra-low cost. If you want simplicity, maximum diversification, and are indifferent to yield, VTI is the more neutral core holding. Neither is objectively "better"—it depends on whether you're tilting toward income and stability (VIG) or betting on full-market capture (VTI). Past performance doesn't predict future results, and the choice often comes down to your asset allocation strategy, not the funds themselves.

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