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ETF Comparison

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

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

Updated October 8, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • VOOInvestors who want higher current income (1.02% vs 0.49% for VOOG).
  • VOOGInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

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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.

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.

VOO has lagged VOOG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.98% total return against 19.61%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VOOG has compounded at 18.15% a year, against 15.57% for VOO. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.8% against 19.5% for VOOG. 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
VOO14.88%16.98%23.23%13.78%15.57%14.99%14.8%1.111.61-18.7%
VOOG18.17%19.61%28.44%14.97%18.15%16.98%19.5%1.061.53-22.2%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 9, 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.
MetricVOOVOOG
Full nameVanguard S&P 500 ETFVanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexS&P 500 Growth Index
Last Close$711.28 as of October 8, 2026$86.59 as of October 8, 2026
Distribution rate1.02%0.49%
Trailing 12-month yield1.04%0.45%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10080
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.02%0.39%
Expense ratio0.03%0.07%
AUM$1046B$28.2B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTrack the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.Tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date09/07/201009/07/2010
Beta1.01.22
Last dividend$1.8226$0.105
Ex-dividend date09/28/202609/23/2026

Bottom lineChoose VOO if you want higher current income (1.02% vs 0.49% for VOOG). Choose VOOG if you want broad equity exposure.

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Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4668B

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.

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Quick verdict

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

VOO offers the higher yield at 1.02% vs 0.49% for VOOG. 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 0.07%.

They have different reference exposures: VOO is linked to S&P 500 Index while VOOG is linked to S&P 500 Growth Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1046B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VOO would generate roughly $25.50 cash per distribution, while VOOG would produce $12.25 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VOO yield1.02%
VOOG yield0.49%
Cash diff on $10K$13.25

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, VOO would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $70 for VOOG (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

VOO ER0.03%
VOOG ER0.07%

Strategy & risk

VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VOOG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index. Beta is 1.0 for VOO and 1.22 for VOOG, making VOO the less volatile of the two by this measure.

VOO beta1.0
VOOG beta1.22

Fund details

VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1046B in assets. VOOG is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $28.2B in assets.

VOO AUM$1046B
VOOG AUM$28.2B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for VOO and VOOG?

VOO currently distributes 1.02% and VOOG 0.49%, 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 VOO or VOOG 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 VOO and VOOG?

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) tracks S&P 500 Growth Index. They are issued by Vanguard and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both VOO and VOOG?

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 VOO or VOOG 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, VOOG scores 80, so VOO's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. VOO has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.00 vs 1.22 for VOOG). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, VOO or VOOG?

VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOOG charges 0.07%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in VOO would generate roughly $25.50 cash per distribution ($102.00 annually). The same in VOOG would produce about $12.25 cash per distribution ($49.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VOO or VOOG?

VOO has lagged VOOG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.98% total return against 19.61%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VOOG has compounded at 18.15% a year, against 15.57% for VOO. VOO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 14.8% against 19.5% for VOOG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

VOO vs VOOG — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

Overview

VOO and VOOG are both Vanguard ETFs tracking S&P 500–derived indexes, but they target different market segments. VOO holds all 500 large-cap stocks in the S&P 500, while VOOG holds only the growth-oriented subset of that index. The key distinction is that VOOG tilts toward companies with higher price-to-book ratios and earnings growth, filtering out value stocks that VOO includes. This explains VOOG's higher beta of 1.22 versus VOO's 1.0; growth stocks amplify both upside and downside moves relative to the overall market.

Distribution yield reflects this tilt. VOO yields 1.02% on an annual basis with Quarterly payouts, while VOOG yields 0.49%—a gap of 0.53% percentage points, since growth stocks typically retain more earnings for reinvestment rather than paying dividends.

VOO is substantially larger, with $1046B in assets versus VOOG's $28.2B. Both charge minimal fees, though VOOG's 0.07% is 0.04% basis points higher than VOO's 0.03%.

Who each is best for

VOO: Fits investors seeking a core holding that mirrors broad large-cap U.S. market exposure without any growth or value tilt. The wide asset base and minimal cost make it suitable for buy-and-hold portfolios of any size.

VOOG: Fits investors who believe growth stocks will outperform over their time horizon and are comfortable with higher volatility to pursue that upside. The lower yield suits those prioritizing capital appreciation over current income.

Key risks to know

  • Growth concentration and style risk. VOOG's tilt toward higher-valuation growth stocks means it will underperform during periods when value stocks outpace growth, potentially by wide margins. This is a persistent structural risk, not a temporary fluctuation.
  • Beta amplification. VOOG's beta of 1.22 means a 10% market decline would typically translate to a steeper loss in VOOG than in VOO. The inverse applies in rallies, but downside sensitivity is material for risk-averse investors.
  • Limited diversification within growth. Because VOOG filters the S&P 500 to growth stocks only, it excludes the dividend-paying, defensive stocks that VOO includes. Holdings may overlap significantly in the mega-cap technology sector, concentrating sector and company-level risk relative to the broad index.

Bottom line

If you want a single S&P 500 holding with minimal fees and complete market participation, VOO's broad composition and $1046B asset base dominate on cost and simplicity. If you believe growth stocks will deliver better returns and accept the 22% beta premium and lower income, VOOG offers that targeted tilt—though its $28.2B size is considerably smaller. Past performance does not guarantee future results; choosing between them depends on your conviction about growth versus value leadership over your investment horizon.

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

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Dividend growth vs. high yield Yield on cost, explained How expense ratios eat returns

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.