VOOvs VTI

Quick verdict

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) are often compared by investors building a core portfolio. Their holdings overlap by roughly 41.0% (high overlap), sharing 9 of their top positions. neither clearly is cheaper at 0.03% vs 0.03%, neither clearly pays more income, and VOO has the stronger recent track record. On balance VOO scores higher, but if overlap is high you likely only need one of the two.

Holdings overlap

VOO and VTI overlap by about 41.0% across their largest holdings, which is high. Holding both would largely duplicate exposure — you would pay two expense ratios for similar returns. Most investors should pick one.

2-year relative performance

At-a-glance comparison

Cost

neither clearly is the lower-cost fund. VOO charges an expense ratio of 0.03% versus 0.03% for VTI. On a $10,000 position that is about $3 vs $3 per year — small, but it compounds over decades.

Income & yield

VOO yields 1.3% and VTI yields 1.3%, so neither clearly is the stronger choice for income-focused investors. Higher yield can reflect a value or covered-call strategy rather than simply "more free money," so check the category: US Large-Cap Blend vs US Total Market.

Performance

Over five years VOO has returned 5.2% annualised against 11.7% for VTI; on a three-year basis it is 8.2% vs 2.5%. VOO leads recently, though past performance does not predict future results and is heavily influenced by sector weightings.

Structure & diversification

VOO holds about 209 positions (US Large-Cap Blend, Vanguard); VTI holds about 478 (US Total Market, Vanguard). VTI is the more diversified by raw holding count, and AUM is 283.8B vs 145.2B — larger funds tend to be more liquid with tighter spreads.

Which ETF fits which investor

For the lowest cost, choose VOO. For the most income, VOO. For growth exposure, VOO. Given 41.0% overlap, holding both mainly makes sense if you specifically want to tilt toward one strategy — otherwise pick the single fund that matches your goal. This is a factual comparison, not advice.

• Lowest cost: VOO
• Most income: VOO
• Growth exposure: VOO

Frequently asked questions

How much do VOO and VTI overlap?

Their largest holdings overlap by approximately 41.0% (high), sharing 9 top positions. Owning both largely duplicates exposure.

Which is cheaper, VOO or VTI?

neither clearly is cheaper, with an expense ratio of 0.03% versus 0.03%.

Which has the higher dividend yield?

VOO yields 1.3% and VTI yields 1.3%, so neither clearly pays more income.

Should I own both VOO and VTI?

With 41.0% overlap, owning both mostly duplicates your exposure while paying two expense ratios — most investors pick one.

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