Peers · etf
SDY Alternatives
The closest SDY alternative is VYM (2.37% yield, 7.9/10 safety), followed by DIVO and VEA. All 6 sit in the same category as SDY (2.41% yield, 7.6/10 safety) and are ranked below on how closely they match it.
The closest alternative to SDY in our universe is VYM — nearly identical yield (2.37% vs 2.41% for SDY) and a 7.9/10 safety score compared to SDY's 7.6/10. Across all 6 peers, yields range from 1.98% to 3.05% and safety scores range from 7.3 to 8.1/10.
Switching from SDY to a peer is not always straightforward — a higher yield peer often carries a lower safety score, and vice versa. Tax treatment can diverge too: check whether SDY dividends are qualified before assuming a peer's headline yield is comparable after tax. The table below ranks each alternative by how closely it matches SDY on both dimensions simultaneously, so you can see the full yield-vs-safety tradeoff at a glance.
Closest matches
| Ticker | Yield | Safety | How it differs from SDY |
|---|---|---|---|
| VYM · Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.37% | 7.9/10 · Solid | Very close match on yield and safety |
| DIVO · Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF | 2.33% | 7.3/10 · Solid | Very close match on yield and safety |
| VEA · Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.41% | 8.1/10 · Strong | 0.5 safety-score gap (safer) |
| DGRO · iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | 1.98% | 7.6/10 · Solid | Very close match on yield and safety |
| VWO · Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 2.05% | 7.9/10 · Solid | Very close match on yield and safety |
| HDV · iShares Core High Dividend ETF | 3.05% | 7.6/10 · Solid | 0.64% yield gap (higher) |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best SDY alternatives?
The closest SDY alternatives are VYM, DIVO, VEA — all in the same category with comparable yield and dividend safety. VYM is the single closest match at 2.37% yield and 7.9/10 safety, versus 2.41% and 7.6/10 for SDY.
Is there a higher-yielding alternative to SDY?
Yes — HDV yields 3.05% versus SDY's 2.41%. Its safety score is 7.6/10 against SDY's 7.6/10, so check whether the extra income compensates for the difference in payout durability.
What ETFs are similar to SDY?
We rank 6 similar ETFs for SDY: VYM, DIVO, VEA, DGRO, VWO, HDV. Each is matched on sector, yield zone, and a 0-10 dividend safety score, then ranked by how closely it tracks SDY on both dimensions at once.
Which of these do you already own?
Connect your brokerage in 60 seconds — Infnits flags which of these peer tickers duplicate exposure you already have, and which would actually diversify SDY.