Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
SPY vs VIG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust versus Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VIG wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
SPY or VIG — which is better?
VIG wins this comparison 2–1 across 6 dimensions. VIG yields 1.47% — higher than SPY's 1.00% — and carries a 7.2/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 7.4/10 for SPY (Solid). VIG wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, VIG generates 1.47% vs 1.00% — a 0.47% difference that translates to $470 more per year on a $100,000 investment.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | SPY | VIG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.00% | 1.47% | VIG wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 9.45% | 4.00% | VIG wins |
| Scale | $796.9B | $134.4B | SPY wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 2 wins | VIG wins |
Dimension by dimension
VIG wins on yield (1.47% vs 1.00%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $47 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
VIG's higher yield (1.47%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SPY's 1.00% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
Safety scores are too close to call (7.4/10 vs 7.2/10)
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.
VIG is cheaper (4.00% vs 9.45%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $545/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, VIG's lower expense ratio saves roughly $5/year in fees versus SPY. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
SPY is 5.9× 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 SPY dividends qualified and are VIG 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
SPY or VIG — which is better?
VIG is better on our scoring, winning 2–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. VIG wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, SPY or VIG?
VIG wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
SPY vs VIG: which has a higher dividend yield?
SPY yields 1.00% and VIG yields 1.47%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $47 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is SPY or VIG a safer dividend in 2026?
SPY scores 7.4/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VIG scores 7.2/10 (Solid). SPY is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, SPY or VIG?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
SPY vs VIG: 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.
Get emailed when SPY vs VIG data updates.
Compare both against your actual holdings
Put SPY and VIG 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 VIG diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.