Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
VIG vs VOO
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF versus Vanguard S&P 500 ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VIG and VOO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
VIG or VOO — which is better?
Neither VIG nor VOO wins outright — the two are nearly equivalent across all 6 dimensions, making the choice largely a matter of which account you hold them in and personal preference on yield vs stability. VIG and VOO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
On yield alone, VIG generates 1.56% vs 1.06% — a 0.50% difference that translates to $500 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, VIG scores 7.9/10 (Solid) vs 7.4/10 (Solid) for VOO — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | VIG | VOO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.56% | 1.06% | VIG wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | VIG wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 4.00% | 3.00% | VOO wins |
| Scale | $127.6B | $1.7T | VOO wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 2 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
VIG wins on yield (1.56% vs 1.06%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $50 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
VIG's higher yield (1.56%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus VOO's 1.06% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
VIG wins on safety (7.9/10 vs 7.4/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. VIG scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
VIG (7.9/10) scores 0.5 points higher than VOO (7.4/10). 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.
VOO is cheaper (3.00% vs 4.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $100/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
VOO is 13.6× 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 VIG dividends qualified and are VOO 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
VIG or VOO — which is better?
Neither — VIG and VOO tie 2–2 across the six dimensions we score. VIG and VOO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Which is better for income, VIG or VOO?
VIG and VOO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
VIG vs VOO: which has a higher dividend yield?
VIG yields 1.56% and VOO yields 1.06%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $50 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is VIG or VOO a safer dividend in 2026?
VIG scores 7.9/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VOO scores 7.4/10 (Solid). VIG is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, VIG or VOO?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VIG 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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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put VIG and VOO 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 either diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.