Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
DGRO vs VEA
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF versus Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VEA wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but DGRO can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DGRO or VEA — which is better?
VEA wins this comparison 4–0 across 6 dimensions. VEA yields 2.41% — higher than DGRO's 1.98% — and carries a 8.1/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 7.6/10 for DGRO (Solid). VEA wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but DGRO can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, VEA generates 2.41% vs 1.98% — a 0.43% difference that translates to $430 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, VEA scores 8.1/10 (Strong) vs 7.6/10 (Solid) for DGRO — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | DGRO | VEA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.98% | 2.41% | VEA wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | VEA wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 8.00% | 3.00% | VEA wins |
| Scale | $41.9B | $313.5B | VEA wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 0 wins | 4 wins | VEA wins |
Dimension by dimension
VEA wins on yield (2.41% vs 1.98%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $43 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
VEA's higher yield (2.41%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus DGRO's 1.98% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
VEA wins on safety (8.1/10 vs 7.6/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. VEA scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
VEA (8.1/10) scores 0.5 points higher than DGRO (7.6/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VEA is cheaper (3.00% vs 8.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $500/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, VEA's lower expense ratio saves roughly $5/year in fees versus DGRO. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
VEA is 7.5× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are DGRO dividends qualified and are VEA dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
DGRO or VEA — which is better?
VEA is better on our scoring, winning 4–0 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. VEA wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but DGRO can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, DGRO or VEA?
VEA wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but DGRO can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DGRO vs VEA: which has a higher dividend yield?
DGRO yields 1.98% and VEA yields 2.41%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $43 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is DGRO or VEA a safer dividend in 2026?
DGRO scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VEA scores 8.1/10 (Strong). VEA is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, DGRO or VEA?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DGRO vs VEA: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put DGRO and VEA into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding VEA diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.