VOO vs RSP: Head-to-Head Comparison
VOO vs RSP: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF charges 0.20%. VOO holds 503 securities vs RSP's 503. 5-year returns: 15.80% vs 10.00%.
Last updated: April 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
| Metric | VOO | RSP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.20% |
| AUM | $560.0B | $60.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 1.70% |
| Holdings | 503 | 503 |
| 1-Year Return | 26.70% | 12.00% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 15.80% | 10.00% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 13.30% | 9.50% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.02 |
| P/E Ratio | 25.8 | 20.5 |
VOO 5-year annualized return is 15.80% compared to RSP's 10.00%. Over 10 years, VOO returned 13.30% vs RSP's 9.50%.
View data table
| Period | VOO Return | RSP Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 3.20% | 2.60% |
| 1 Year | 26.70% | 12.00% |
| 3 Year | 11.20% | 8.00% |
| 5 Year | 15.80% | 10.00% |
| 10 Year | 13.30% | 9.50% |
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%).
VOO vs RSP multi-factor comparison: VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, 15.80% 5-year return, 503 holdings, 1.00 beta, and 1.30% yield. RSP has 0.20% expense ratio, 10.00% 5-year return, 503 holdings, 1.02 beta, and 1.70% yield.
View data table
| Metric | VOO | RSP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.20% |
| 5-Year Return | 15.80% | 10.00% |
| Holdings | 503 | 503 |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.02 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 1.70% |
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
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.
VOO and RSP share 5% of their top holdings (low overlap). VOO has 503 total holdings and RSP has 503. Common holdings include NVDA.
View data table
| Metric | VOO | RSP |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 5% | 5% |
| Unique Holdings | 95% | 95% |
| 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
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.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, VOO (0.03% fee) grows to $46,351 while RSP (0.20% fee) grows to $44,913. The fee difference costs $1,438.
View data table
| Year | VOO Value | RSP Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,673 | $14,558 |
| 10 | $21,529 | $21,193 |
| 15 | $31,590 | $30,852 |
| 20 | $46,351 | $44,913 |
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.
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.