VOO vs SPYG: Head-to-Head Comparison
VOO vs SPYG: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF charges 0.04%. VOO holds 503 securities vs SPYG's 230. 5-year returns: 15.80% vs 17.50%.
Last updated: April 2026
S&P 500
Quick Verdict
VOO edges out SPYG with a stronger Beginner Suitability Score (9.5 vs 8.5). It offers lower fees for new investors.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VOO | SPYG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| AUM | $560.0B | $25.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 0.70% |
| Holdings | 503 | 230 |
| 1-Year Return | 26.70% | 28.00% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 15.80% | 17.50% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 13.30% | 15.50% |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.12 |
| P/E Ratio | 25.8 | 33.5 |
VOO 5-year annualized return is 15.80% compared to SPYG's 17.50%. Over 10 years, VOO returned 13.30% vs SPYG's 15.50%.
View data table
| Period | VOO Return | SPYG Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 3.20% | 3.50% |
| 1 Year | 26.70% | 28.00% |
| 3 Year | 11.20% | 11.50% |
| 5 Year | 15.80% | 17.50% |
| 10 Year | 13.30% | 15.50% |
Key Differences Between VOO and SPYG
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.
SPYG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) is a us large-cap growth fund managed by State Street. SPYG tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index, offering exposure to the growth-oriented half of the S&P 500 at an ultra-low expense ratio of just 0.04%. It selects stocks based on sales growth, earnings growth relative to price, and price momentum. For cost-conscious growth investors, SPYG delivers nearly identical exposure to pricier alternatives at a fraction of the cost.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.03% vs 0.04%), number of holdings (503 vs 230), and 5-year returns (15.80% vs 17.50%).
VOO vs SPYG multi-factor comparison: VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, 15.80% 5-year return, 503 holdings, 1.00 beta, and 1.30% yield. SPYG has 0.04% expense ratio, 17.50% 5-year return, 230 holdings, 1.12 beta, and 0.70% yield.
View data table
| Metric | VOO | SPYG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| 5-Year Return | 15.80% | 17.50% |
| Holdings | 503 | 230 |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.12 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 0.70% |
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Holdings Overlap Analysis
82%
Holdings Overlap
VOO and SPYG share 82% 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 SPYG share 82% of their top holdings (high overlap). VOO has 503 total holdings and SPYG has 230. Common holdings include AAPL, MSFT, NVDA.
View data table
| Metric | VOO | SPYG |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 82% | 82% |
| Unique Holdings | 18% | 18% |
| Total Holdings | 503 | 230 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
VOO
Fee cost: $258
SPYG
Fee cost: $344
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $86 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 SPYG (0.04% fee) grows to $46,266. The fee difference costs $85.
View data table
| Year | VOO Value | SPYG Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,673 | $14,666 |
| 10 | $21,529 | $21,509 |
| 15 | $31,590 | $31,546 |
| 20 | $46,351 | $46,266 |
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 SPYG if: You want budget-conscious growth investors who want the cheapest possible s&p 500 growth exposure, investors building factor-based portfolios pairing growth and value etfs, young savers in retirement accounts who prioritize long-term capital appreciation. It's managed by State Street with an expense ratio of 0.04%.
Can You Own Both VOO and SPYG?
With 82% 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 SPYG?▾
VOO edges out SPYG with a stronger Beginner Suitability Score (9.5 vs 8.5). 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 SPYG is better suited for budget-conscious growth investors who want the cheapest possible s&p 500 growth exposure.
What is the difference between VOO and SPYG?▾
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks u.s. large-cap blend investments with 503 holdings and a 0.03% expense ratio. SPYG (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) focuses on us large-cap growth with 230 holdings at 0.04%. Their top holdings overlap by 82%.
Can I own both VOO and SPYG?▾
Since VOO and SPYG have 82% holdings overlap, owning both means significant duplication. Most beginners are better off choosing one.