Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
SPY vs VOO
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust versus SS S&P 500 INDEX X — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VOO wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | SPY | VOO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.01% | 1.07% | VOO wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.4/10 | 6.5/10 | SPY wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.00 | 1.00 | Tie |
| Scale | $781.2B | $1.7T | VOO wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 2 wins | VOO wins |
Dimension by dimension
VOO wins on yield (1.07% vs 1.01%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $6 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
SPY wins on safety (7.4/10 vs 6.5/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. SPY scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
SPY (7.4/10) scores 0.9 points higher than VOO (6.5/10). 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.
Volatility (beta) is similar
Both tickers move with comparable sensitivity to the broader market.
On $10,000 invested, VOO's lower expense ratio saves roughly $6/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.
VOO is 2.1× larger by market cap
Larger companies 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.
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
Which is better for income, SPY or VOO?
VOO 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 VOO: which has a higher dividend yield?
SPY yields 1.01% and VOO yields 1.07%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $6 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is SPY or VOO a safer dividend in 2026?
SPY scores 7.4/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VOO scores 6.5/10 (Solid). SPY is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, SPY or VOO?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
SPY vs VOO: 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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