VOO vs IVV: Head-to-Head Comparison
VOO vs IVV: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while iShares Core S&P 500 ETF charges 0.03%. VOO holds 503 securities vs IVV's 503. 5-year returns: 15.80% vs 15.70%.
Last updated: April 2026
S&P 500
Quick Verdict
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9.5/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VOO | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| AUM | $560.0B | $520.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 1.30% |
| Holdings | 503 | 503 |
| 1-Year Return | 26.70% | 26.60% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 15.80% | 15.70% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 13.30% | 13.20% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| P/E Ratio | 25.8 | 25.8 |
VOO 5-year annualized return is 15.80% compared to IVV's 15.70%. Over 10 years, VOO returned 13.30% vs IVV's 13.20%.
View data table
| Period | VOO Return | IVV Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 3.20% | 3.10% |
| 1 Year | 26.70% | 26.60% |
| 3 Year | 11.20% | 11.10% |
| 5 Year | 15.80% | 15.70% |
| 10 Year | 13.30% | 13.20% |
Key Differences Between VOO and IVV
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is a u.s. large-cap blend fund managed by Vanguard. VOO tracks the S&P 500 index, giving you ownership in 500 of the largest U.S. companies in a single investment. It is one of the most popular ETFs in the world thanks to its ultra-low expense ratio and broad market exposure. For beginners, VOO is often recommended as a core portfolio holding because it provides instant diversification across America's leading businesses.
IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) is a u.s. large-cap blend fund managed by BlackRock. IVV tracks the S&P 500 index, offering exposure to 500 of the largest U.S. companies at one of the lowest costs available. It is a core building block for any portfolio, providing broad diversification across all major sectors of the American economy. Beginners appreciate IVV for its simplicity, rock-bottom fees, and strong long-term performance history.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.03% vs 0.03%), number of holdings (503 vs 503), and 5-year returns (15.80% vs 15.70%).
VOO vs IVV multi-factor comparison: VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, 15.80% 5-year return, 503 holdings, 1.00 beta, and 1.30% yield. IVV has 0.03% expense ratio, 15.70% 5-year return, 503 holdings, 1.00 beta, and 1.30% yield.
View data table
| Metric | VOO | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| 5-Year Return | 15.80% | 15.70% |
| Holdings | 503 | 503 |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 1.30% |
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
100%
Holdings Overlap
VOO and IVV share 100% of their top holdings. This means they are very similar funds — owning both would result in significant duplication in your portfolio. For most beginners, choosing one is sufficient.
VOO and IVV share 100% of their top holdings (high overlap). VOO has 503 total holdings and IVV has 503. Common holdings include AAPL, MSFT, NVDA.
View data table
| Metric | VOO | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 100% | 100% |
| Unique Holdings | 0% | 0% |
| Total Holdings | 503 | 503 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
VOO
Fee cost: $258
IVV
Fee cost: $258
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $0 on a $10,000 investment. The cost difference is negligible — choose based on other factors.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, VOO (0.03% fee) grows to $46,351 while IVV (0.03% fee) grows to $46,351. The fee difference costs $0.
View data table
| Year | VOO Value | IVV Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,673 | $14,673 |
| 10 | $21,529 | $21,529 |
| 15 | $31,590 | $31,590 |
| 20 | $46,351 | $46,351 |
Which One Should a Beginner Choose?
Choose VOO if: You want beginning investors looking for a simple core portfolio holding, long-term buy-and-hold investors seeking broad u.s. market exposure, cost-conscious investors who want minimal fees. It's managed by Vanguard with an expense ratio of 0.03%.
Choose IVV if: You want investors seeking a low-cost core holding that mirrors the entire large-cap u.s. market, retirement savers building a simple three-fund portfolio, anyone who wants an alternative to voo with a slightly longer track record. It's managed by BlackRock with an expense ratio of 0.03%.
Can You Own Both VOO and IVV?
With 100% holdings overlap, owning both means you're essentially doubling down on the same stocks. For beginners, we recommend picking one to keep things simple. If you want more diversification, consider pairing your choice with an international ETF like VXUS or a bond ETF like BND instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy VOO or IVV?▾
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9.5/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals. However, both are solid options. VOO is best for investors who want beginning investors looking for a simple core portfolio holding, while IVV is better suited for investors seeking a low-cost core holding that mirrors the entire large-cap u.s. market.
What is the difference between VOO and IVV?▾
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks u.s. large-cap blend investments with 503 holdings and a 0.03% expense ratio. IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) focuses on u.s. large-cap blend with 503 holdings at 0.03%. Their top holdings overlap by 100%.
Can I own both VOO and IVV?▾
Since VOO and IVV have 100% holdings overlap, owning both means significant duplication. Most beginners are better off choosing one.