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Security Comparison

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

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

Data updated August 13, 2026

Best for

  • VOOInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
  • VTSAXInvestors who want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricVOOVTSAX
Full nameVanguard S&P 500 ETFVanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Last Close$710.17 as of August 13, 2026$185.89 as of August 13, 2026
Distribution yield1.11%1.08%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Expense ratio0.03%0.04%
AUM$1032B$1000B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexUS Total Market
ObjectiveTrack the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.Seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date09/07/2010—
Beta1.01.03
Last dividend$1.9622$0.5040
Ex-dividend date06/26/202606/26/2026

Bottom lineChoose VOO if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose VTSAX if you want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.

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Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4657B

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 VOO.

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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

VOO has lagged VTSAX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 22.93% total return against 24.14%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VOO has compounded at 15.36% a year, ahead of VTSAX at 14.90%. 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
VOO13.72%22.93%21.55%13.31%15.36%15.08%15.0%1.011.46-18.7%
VTSAX14.20%24.14%20.91%12.34%14.90%14.76%15.4%0.951.37-19.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 12, 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.

Quick verdict

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

VOO offers the higher yield at 1.11% vs 1.08% for VTSAX. 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: VOO is linked to S&P 500 Index while VTSAX tracks US Total Market, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1032B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VOO would generate roughly $9.25/month, while VTSAX would produce $9.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VOO yield1.11%
VTSAX yield1.08%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.25

Cost & efficiency

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

VOO ER0.03%
VTSAX ER0.04%

Strategy & risk

VOO tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VTSAX tracks US Total Market with an index approach. Beta is 1.0 for VOO and 1.03 for VTSAX, indicating VOO is less volatile relative to the market.

VOO beta1.0
VTSAX beta1.03

Fund details

VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1032B in assets. VTSAX is managed by Vanguard with $1000B in assets.

VOO AUM$1032B
VTSAX AUM$1000B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for VOO and VTSAX?

VOO currently distributes 1.11% and VTSAX 1.08%, 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 VOO or VTSAX 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 VTSAX?

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) tracks US Total Market with an index approach. They are issued by Vanguard and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both VOO and VTSAX?

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 VTSAX safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: VOO scores 100, VTSAX scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, VOO or VTSAX?

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

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

At current rates, $10,000 in VOO would generate roughly $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually). The same in VTSAX would produce about $9.00 per month ($108.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VOO or VTSAX?

VOO has lagged VTSAX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 22.93% total return against 24.14%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VOO has compounded at 15.36% a year, ahead of VTSAX at 14.90%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

VOO vs VTSAX — at a glance

Generated August 8, 2026.

Overview

VOO and VTSAX are both Vanguard equity index funds tracking different slices of the U.S. stock market. VOO is an ETF tracking the S&P 500 Index (500 largest U.S. companies), while VTSAX is a mutual fund tracking the broader CRSP US Total Market Index (which includes mid-cap, small-cap, and micro-cap stocks alongside large-caps). The key distinction is breadth: VOO concentrates on the largest 500 firms; VTSAX captures the entire investable market.

How they differ

VOO's S&P 500 exposure is narrower by design—it holds only the largest companies and excludes mid and small-cap stocks that VTSAX includes. This structural difference shows up in beta: VTSAX's beta of 1.03 reflects slightly more sensitivity to market moves than VOO's 1.0, reflecting the smaller-stock tilt. Both funds distribute roughly the same yield (VOO 1.10%, VTSAX 1.09%) quarterly, and their expense ratios are nearly identical (VOO 0.03%, VTSAX 0.04%). The main practical difference is fund type: VOO is an ETF trading intraday like a stock, while VTSAX is a mutual fund priced once daily. Both sit on massive asset bases—VOO at $1032B and VTSAX at $1000B—so liquidity and cost efficiency are excellent for either choice.

Who each is best for

VOO: Fits investors who want pure large-cap exposure and prefer the flexibility of an ETF that trades throughout the market day with bid-ask spreads. Works well for those building a core U.S. equity holding without small or mid-cap tilt.

VTSAX: Designed for investors seeking one-fund exposure to the entire U.S. stock market across all capitalizations, and who are comfortable with mutual fund mechanics and once-daily pricing. Suits those who view total-market diversification as foundational and don't need intraday trading.

Key risks to know

  • Concentration in largest firms: VOO's S&P 500 structure means concentration in mega-cap tech and financials; VTSAX's broader market exposure dilutes but does not eliminate this risk. Holdings overlap significantly, so the portfolios may move together during sector rotations.
  • Small and mid-cap exclusion (VOO only): VOO's exclusion of mid, small, and micro-cap stocks means it will underperform VTSAX during periods when smaller firms outpace large-caps—a historically meaningful divergence over multi-year stretches.
  • Valuation-driven performance gap: The S&P 500's recent outperformance versus the broader market reflects large-cap momentum and valuation expansion. Reversion to historical relative valuations could reverse this pattern and favor VTSAX.
  • Mutual fund redemption timing (VTSAX only): VTSAX's once-daily pricing can create small timing costs if you need to exit during market stress, though Vanguard's structure minimizes this.

Bottom line

VOO and VTSAX are both ultra-low-cost core holdings; the choice hinges on whether you want pure large-cap simplicity or full-spectrum market exposure. VOO fits investors comfortable concentrating on the S&P 500's mega-cap tilt and valuing intraday trading; VTSAX suits those prioritizing broad diversification across all company sizes. Past performance of the S&P 500 relative to smaller stocks doesn't predict future results.

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 to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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