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Dividend Vision

Security Comparison

VTSAX vs VOO: Own the Whole Market, or the S&P 500?

A head-to-head of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Admiral and Vanguard S&P 500 covering universe and structure.

Data updated September 22, 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

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.

VOO has outpaced VTSAX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.31% total return against 16.86%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VOO has compounded at 15.50% a year, against 15.03% for VTSAX. 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
VOO14.14%17.31%23.14%13.84%15.50%14.99%14.9%1.111.60-18.7%
VTSAX13.96%16.86%22.64%12.66%15.03%14.62%15.3%1.051.53-19.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 22, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “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.
MetricVOOVTSAX
Full nameVanguard S&P 500 ETFVanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexUS Total Market
Last Close$712.78 as of September 22, 2026$185.49 as of September 21, 2026
Distribution rate1.10%1.02%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.10%1.02%
Expense ratio0.03%0.04%
AUM$1076B$1000B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
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—
Beta1.01.02
Last dividend$1.9622$0.504
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.

S&P 500 ETF versus total-market mutual fund

VOO is the S&P 500 as an ETF. VTSAX is the total US stock market as a mutual fund. Universe and wrapper both differ.

VOOVTSAX
UniverseS&P 500 (ETF)Total US stock market (Admiral fund)
Expense ratio0.03%0.04%
Distribution rate1.10%1.02%
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Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4698B

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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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 — their trading structures differ.

VOO offers the higher yield at 1.10% vs 1.02% 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 have different reference exposures: VOO is linked to S&P 500 Index while VTSAX is linked to US Total Market, which means their performance drivers differ.

VOO is the larger fund by assets ($1076B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VOO would generate roughly $27.50 cash per distribution, while VTSAX would produce $25.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VOO yield1.10%
VTSAX yield1.02%
Cash diff on $10K$2.00

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 a mutual fund approach. Beta is 1.0 for VOO and 1.02 for VTSAX — effectively similar market sensitivity.

VOO beta1.0
VTSAX beta1.02

Fund details

VOO is managed by Vanguard (launched 09/07/2010) with $1076B in assets. VTSAX is managed by Vanguard with $1000B in assets.

VOO AUM$1076B
VTSAX AUM$1000B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between VTSAX and VOO?

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) holds the S&P 500 as an ETF. VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) holds the total US stock market as a mutual fund. Universe and wrapper both differ. Cost is 0.03% versus 0.04%. Distributions are 1.10% and 1.02% as of September 2026.

What is the current distribution rate for VOO and VTSAX?

VOO currently distributes 1.10% and VTSAX 1.02%, based on fund data updated September 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 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.

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 $27.50 cash per distribution ($110.00 annually). The same in VTSAX would produce about $25.50 cash per distribution ($102.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VOO or VTSAX?

VOO has outpaced VTSAX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.31% total return against 16.86%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VOO has compounded at 15.50% a year, against 15.03% for VTSAX. 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 September 19, 2026.

Overview

VOO and VTSAX are both Vanguard index funds tracking the U.S. stock market, but they differ in scope and structure. The key distinction: VOO focuses on mega-cap and large-cap exposure, while VTSAX adds mid-cap and small-cap holdings, giving it meaningfully wider diversification.

How they differ

VTSAX includes the entire U.S. stock market—roughly 3,500 securities—versus VOO's 500 large caps. That means VTSAX holds mid-cap and small-cap stocks that VOO excludes entirely. Both charge near-identical fees (0.03% for VOO, 0.04% for VTSAX), and both distribute quarterly at similar yields (1.10% and 1.02%, respectively). VOO has a beta of 1.0, reflecting pure large-cap market movement, while VTSAX's 1.02 beta reflects its broader exposure to smaller stocks, which can swing more sharply in both directions.

Who each is best for

VOO: Investors seeking pure large-cap and mega-cap exposure—the 500 stocks dominating U.S. market capitalization. Also fits those who prefer the ETF wrapper (intraday trading, simpler tax-loss harvesting in taxable accounts).

VTSAX: Investors who want comprehensive U.S. equity diversification across all market caps in a single holding. Suits those comfortable with mutual fund mechanics and who value exposure to the full breadth of the market, including overlooked mid and small caps.

Key risks to know

  • Market concentration in mega-cap tech and finance. Both funds are heavily weighted toward the largest U.S. companies. VOO's concentration is more acute because it excludes smaller stocks; both carry meaningful exposure to a handful of mega-cap names that can amplify drawdowns if those sectors falter.
  • Small-cap volatility in VTSAX. VTSAX's 1.02 beta and inclusion of smaller stocks mean its returns will diverge from the S&P 500 in periods when small-cap sentiment swings sharply; this adds noise and timing risk relative to VOO's tighter market tracking.
  • Interest-rate and valuation sensitivity. Both are all-equity portfolios with no hedges; rising rates and falling valuations hit growth-heavy market-cap-weighted indexes hard. Large caps like those in VOO tend to have higher valuations and greater duration-like characteristics, making them especially sensitive to rate moves.

Bottom line

If you want the broadest U.S. stock market exposure in a single fund, VTSAX stands out; if you prefer to concentrate on the 500 largest U.S. companies and value ETF trading flexibility, VOO fits that mandate. Both are low-cost core holdings. Past performance does not predict future results, and relative returns depend on how small-cap and mid-cap stocks perform versus mega-caps over your time horizon.

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

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

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