Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
VIG vs VOO
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF versus SS S&P 500 INDEX X — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VIG wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but VOO can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | VIG | VOO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.51% | 1.07% | VIG wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.9/10 | 6.5/10 | VIG wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.75 | 1.00 | VIG wins |
| Scale | $129.5B | $1.7T | VOO wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 wins | VIG wins |
Dimension by dimension
VIG wins on yield (1.51% vs 1.07%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $44 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
VIG's higher yield (1.51%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus VOO's 1.07% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
VIG wins on safety (7.9/10 vs 6.5/10)
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 1.4 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.
VIG is less volatile (beta 0.75 vs 1.00)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
VOO is 12.9× 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, VIG or VOO?
VIG wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but VOO can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VIG vs VOO: which has a higher dividend yield?
VIG yields 1.51% and VOO yields 1.07%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $44 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 6.5/10 (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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