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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 July 15, 2026

ETFs115
Total AUM$4484B

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 emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VOO.

Side-by-side snapshot

VOOVTSAX
Full nameVanguard S&P 500 ETFVanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Last Close$691.10 as of July 15, 2026$181.42 as of July 15, 2026
Distribution yield1.14%1.11%
Distribution Safety Score 100100
Expense ratio0.03%0.04%
AUM$1033B$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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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

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 1.14% vs 1.11% 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 ($1033B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, VOO would generate roughly $9.50/month, while VTSAX would produce $9.25/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VOO yield1.14%
VTSAX yield1.11%
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 $1033B in assets. VTSAX is managed by Vanguard with $1000B in assets.

VOO AUM$1033B
VTSAX AUM$1000B

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Frequently asked questions

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.

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 $9.50 per month ($114.00 annually). The same in VTSAX would produce about $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually).

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