Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
DGRW vs SPYI
WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund versus NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
DGRW wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPYI can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DGRW or SPYI — which is better?
DGRW wins this comparison 3–0 across 6 dimensions. DGRW yields 1.34% — higher than SPYI's 0.50% — and carries a 6.9/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 6.9/10 for SPYI (Solid). DGRW wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPYI can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, DGRW generates 1.34% vs 0.50% — a 0.84% difference that translates to $840 more per year on a $100,000 investment.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | DGRW | SPYI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.34% | 0.50% | DGRW wins |
| Dividend safety | 6.9/10 | 6.9/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 28.00% | 68.00% | DGRW wins |
| Scale | $16.2B | $12.2B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Ordinary income | DGRW wins |
| Overall | 3 wins | 0 wins | DGRW wins |
Dimension by dimension
DGRW wins on yield (1.34% vs 0.50%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $84 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
DGRW's higher yield (1.34%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SPYI's 0.50% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
Safety scores are too close to call (6.9/10 vs 6.9/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DGRW is cheaper (28.00% vs 68.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $4000/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, DGRW's lower expense ratio saves roughly $40/year in fees versus SPYI. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
Comparable scale ($16.2B vs $12.2B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
DGRW is more tax-efficient in a taxable account
SPYI's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from DGRW which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
SPYI uses a covered-call or options strategy that typically generates ordinary income taxed at your full marginal rate. DGRW's dividends may qualify for the 0–20% qualified dividend rate. In a taxable account, DGRW keeps more of your income after taxes.
Full breakdown per ticker: are DGRW dividends qualified and are SPYI 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
DGRW or SPYI — which is better?
DGRW is better on our scoring, winning 3–0 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. DGRW wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPYI can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, DGRW or SPYI?
DGRW wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPYI can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DGRW vs SPYI: which has a higher dividend yield?
DGRW yields 1.34% and SPYI yields 0.50%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $84 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is DGRW or SPYI a safer dividend in 2026?
DGRW scores 6.9/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SPYI scores 6.9/10 (Solid). Both have comparable safety scores.
Which has better dividend growth, DGRW or SPYI?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DGRW vs SPYI: which is more tax-efficient?
SPYI's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from DGRW which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put DGRW and SPYI 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 DGRW diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.