VOO vs SPTM: Head-to-Head Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Key Differences Between VOO and SPTM

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.

SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) is a us total market fund managed by State Street. SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which combines the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600 into one fund covering the full range of U.S. stock market capitalization. It offers near-total market coverage at an ultra-low cost, with the added benefit of S&P's profitability screening across all size segments. This is a one-stop shop for U.S. stock exposure.

The most notable differences are in fees (0.03% vs 0.03%), number of holdings (503 vs 1,500), and 5-year returns (15.80% vs 13.00%).

Holdings Overlap Analysis

VOO and SPTM 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.

Cost Comparison Over Time

If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):

Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $0 on a $10,000 investment. The cost difference is negligible — choose based on other factors.

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 SPTM if: You want minimalists who want total u.s. stock market coverage in a single fund, investors who value s&p quality screens across all company sizes, tax-efficient portfolios wanting to minimize the number of holdings to track. It's managed by State Street with an expense ratio of 0.03%.

Can You Own Both VOO and SPTM?

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