VIG vs DGRW: Head-to-Head Comparison
VIG vs DGRW: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF has an expense ratio of 0.06% while WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund charges 0.28%. VIG holds 338 securities vs DGRW's 300. 5-year returns: 13.10% vs 13.50%.
Last updated: April 2026
Dividend
Quick Verdict
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VIG | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.28% |
| AUM | $86.0B | $12.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 1.60% |
| Holdings | 338 | 300 |
| 1-Year Return | 19.80% | 23.80% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 13.10% | 13.50% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 11.90% | 12.20% |
| Beta | 0.88 | 0.92 |
| P/E Ratio | 23.1 | 22.5 |
VIG 5-year annualized return is 13.10% compared to DGRW's 13.50%. Over 10 years, VIG returned 11.90% vs DGRW's 12.20%.
View data table
| Period | VIG Return | DGRW Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 2.50% | 3.00% |
| 1 Year | 19.80% | 23.80% |
| 3 Year | 8.90% | 10.20% |
| 5 Year | 13.10% | 13.50% |
| 10 Year | 11.90% | 12.20% |
Key Differences Between VIG and DGRW
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is a u.s. large-cap dividend growth fund managed by Vanguard. VIG invests in U.S. companies that have increased their dividends for at least 10 consecutive years, focusing on dividend growth rather than high current yield. This approach tends to select financially healthy companies with sustainable business models. Beginners who want quality companies that regularly reward shareholders will appreciate VIG's focus on consistent dividend growers.
DGRW (WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund) is a dividend growth fund managed by WisdomTree. DGRW selects U.S. dividend-paying companies based on a combination of expected earnings growth, return on equity, and return on assets, focusing on quality growth rather than high current yield. It is rebalanced annually and screens for dividend-paying companies with the best forward-looking growth characteristics. Beginners who want a quality-screened dividend fund that emphasizes future potential over past payouts will appreciate DGRW's forward-looking methodology.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.06% vs 0.28%), number of holdings (338 vs 300), and 5-year returns (13.10% vs 13.50%).
VIG vs DGRW multi-factor comparison: VIG has a 0.06% expense ratio, 13.10% 5-year return, 338 holdings, 0.88 beta, and 1.70% yield. DGRW has 0.28% expense ratio, 13.50% 5-year return, 300 holdings, 0.92 beta, and 1.60% yield.
View data table
| Metric | VIG | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.28% |
| 5-Year Return | 13.10% | 13.50% |
| Holdings | 338 | 300 |
| Beta | 0.88 | 0.92 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 1.60% |
Want the full framework? This 2-hour ETF course teaches you exactly how to pick, buy, and hold profitable ETFs — from zero to confident investor. Under $15.
Ready to invest? Open an IBKR account in 10 minutes and get free stock. $0 commissions on US ETFs • Fractional shares from $1 • 150+ global markets.
Holdings Overlap Analysis
25%
Holdings Overlap
VIG and DGRW share only 25% of their top holdings. These funds are quite different, making them complementary choices if you want broader market coverage.
VIG and DGRW share 25% of their top holdings (low overlap). VIG has 338 total holdings and DGRW has 300. Common holdings include AAPL, MSFT, AVGO.
View data table
| Metric | VIG | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 25% | 25% |
| Unique Holdings | 75% | 75% |
| Total Holdings | 338 | 300 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
VIG
Fee cost: $515
DGRW
Fee cost: $2,358
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $1,843 on a $10,000 investment. VIG saves you more in fees over time.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, VIG (0.06% fee) grows to $46,094 while DGRW (0.28% fee) grows to $44,251. The fee difference costs $1,843.
View data table
| Year | VIG Value | DGRW Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,653 | $14,504 |
| 10 | $21,470 | $21,036 |
| 15 | $31,458 | $30,510 |
| 20 | $46,094 | $44,251 |
Which One Should a Beginner Choose?
Choose VIG if: You want long-term investors who want dividend growth compounding over decades, investors seeking a balance between growth potential and income reliability, those who prefer quality companies with proven financial discipline. It's managed by Vanguard with an expense ratio of 0.06%.
Choose DGRW if: You want investors who want dividend exposure with a growth and quality tilt, those who prefer forward-looking earnings growth over backward-looking dividend streaks, portfolio builders seeking a middle ground between growth and income strategies. It's managed by WisdomTree with an expense ratio of 0.28%.
Can You Own Both VIG and DGRW?
Absolutely! With only 25% overlap, VIG and DGRW complement each other well. A simple portfolio might allocate 60% to one and 40% to the other, or you could pair them with a bond ETF like BND for a complete three-fund portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy VIG or DGRW?▾
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals. However, both are solid options. VIG is best for investors who want long-term investors who want dividend growth compounding over decades, while DGRW is better suited for investors who want dividend exposure with a growth and quality tilt.
What is the difference between VIG and DGRW?▾
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) tracks u.s. large-cap dividend growth investments with 338 holdings and a 0.06% expense ratio. DGRW (WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund) focuses on dividend growth with 300 holdings at 0.28%. Their top holdings overlap by 25%.
Can I own both VIG and DGRW?▾
Yes! With only 25% holdings overlap, VIG and DGRW complement each other well. Owning both gives you broader diversification.