Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
VIG vs VT
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF versus Vanguard Total World Stock ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VIG wins 1–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VIG or VT — which is better?
VIG wins this comparison 1–0 across 6 dimensions. VIG yields 1.56% — higher than VT's 1.53% — and carries a 7.9/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 7.9/10 for VT (Solid). VIG wins 1–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, VIG generates 1.56% vs 1.53% — a 0.03% difference that translates to $30 more per year on a $100,000 investment.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | VIG | VT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.56% | 1.53% | Tie |
| Dividend safety | 7.9/10 | 7.9/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 4.00% | 6.00% | VIG wins |
| Scale | $127.6B | $101.2B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 0 wins | VIG wins |
Dimension by dimension
VIG and VT have nearly identical yields (1.56% vs 1.53%)
Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Safety scores are too close to call (7.9/10 vs 7.9/10)
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.
VIG is cheaper (4.00% vs 6.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $200/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
Comparable scale ($127.6B vs $101.2B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
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 VT 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 VT — which is better?
VIG is better on our scoring, winning 1–0 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. VIG wins 1–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, VIG or VT?
VIG wins 1–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VIG vs VT: which has a higher dividend yield?
VIG yields 1.56% and VT yields 1.53%. Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Is VIG or VT a safer dividend in 2026?
VIG scores 7.9/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VT scores 7.9/10 (Solid). Both have comparable safety scores.
Which has better dividend growth, VIG or VT?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VIG vs VT: 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 VT 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.