VOO vs RSP: Head-to-Head Comparison
Last updated: March 2026 • S&P 500
Quick Verdict
VOO edges out RSP with a stronger Beginner Suitability Score (9.5 vs 9). It offers lower fees for new investors.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Key Differences Between VOO and RSP
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.
RSP (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF) is a us large-cap equal weight fund managed by Invesco. RSP holds all 500 stocks in the S&P 500 but gives each one an equal weight of about 0.2%, rather than weighting by market cap. This means smaller S&P 500 companies have the same influence as mega-caps like Apple or Microsoft. The equal-weight approach reduces concentration risk and provides a natural tilt toward mid-cap and value stocks within the S&P 500 universe.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.03% vs 0.20%), number of holdings (503 vs 503), and 5-year returns (15.80% vs 10.00%).
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Holdings Overlap Analysis
5%
Holdings Overlap
VOO and RSP share only 5% of their top holdings. These funds are quite different, making them complementary choices if you want broader market coverage.
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
VOO
Fee cost: $258
RSP
Fee cost: $1,696
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $1,438 on a $10,000 investment. VOO saves you more in fees over time.
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 RSP if: You want investors concerned about mega-cap concentration in traditional s&p 500 funds, those who believe in mean-reversion and want a systematically contrarian approach, diversification seekers who want broader s&p 500 exposure without size bias. It's managed by Invesco with an expense ratio of 0.20%.
Can You Own Both VOO and RSP?
Absolutely! With only 5% overlap, VOO and RSP 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy VOO or RSP?▾
VOO edges out RSP with a stronger Beginner Suitability Score (9.5 vs 9). It offers lower fees for new investors. However, both are solid options. VOO is best for investors who want beginning investors looking for a simple core portfolio holding, while RSP is better suited for investors concerned about mega-cap concentration in traditional s&p 500 funds.
What is the difference between VOO and RSP?▾
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks u.s. large-cap blend investments with 503 holdings and a 0.03% expense ratio. RSP (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF) focuses on us large-cap equal weight with 503 holdings at 0.20%. Their top holdings overlap by 5%.
Can I own both VOO and RSP?▾
Yes! With only 5% holdings overlap, VOO and RSP complement each other well. Owning both gives you broader diversification.