VOO generally has a lower expense ratio and offers a better dividend yield than VOOG.
Over the past year, VOOG has done better in terms of performance, but it has seen a more significant peak-to-trough decline over the last five years.
VOOG focuses more on technology and growth stocks, whereas VOO provides a wider range of sector exposure.
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Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEMKT:VOOG) is really about growth and has had a successful year, but on the flip side, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT:VOO) provides lower fees, higher revenues, and broader access to the U.S. market.
Both VOOG and VOO track large-cap stocks in the U.S., but their strategies differ. VOOG emphasizes growth sectors while VOO covers the entire S&P 500 index. Investors need to look closely at costs and performance to see what fits their investment style better.
Metric | VOOG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
Publisher | Vanguard | Vanguard |
Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.03% |
1-Year Return (as of Dec 18, 2025) | 19.3% | 15.4% |
Dividend Yield | 0.5% | 1.1% |
Beta | 1.10 | 1.00 |
AUM | $21.7 billion | $1.5 trillion |
Beta measures price volatility compared to the S&P 500. It is determined from five years of weekly returns, and one year’s return reflects the total return over the following 12 months.
VOO is easier to manage with a lower expense ratio of 0.03%, contrasted with VOOG’s 0.07%. Plus, its dividend yield of 1.1% surpasses VOOG’s 0.5% yield.
Metric | VOOG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
Maximum Drawdown (5 years) | (32.73%) | (24.52%) |
$1,000 Growth in 5 Years | $1,920 | $1,826 |
VOO aims to accurately reflect the S&P 500 index, currently holding 505 stocks and showing a diverse sector makeup: technology (37%), financial services (12%), and consumer cyclicals (11%). Key holdings include Nvidia at 7.38%, followed by Apple at 7.08%, and Microsoft at 6.25%. This diversification really represents the U.S. economy, which can help to mitigate the volatility from any one sector.
In comparison, VOOG focuses more on growth stocks with a hefty 58% in technology, alongside 12% in consumer cyclicals and 10% in financial services. Its top three investments—Nvidia at 13.53%, Apple at 5.96%, and Microsoft at 5.96%—lead to more concentrated risk and direct exposure to tech trends.
For those who want to understand ETFs better, a detailed guide is available here.
Ultimately, VOOG and VOO target different investor preferences. If stability and broad diversification sound appealing, then VOO is a solid choice. But if you’ve got an appetite for risk and are seeking more growth, then VOOG might be more up your alley.
