What exactly is an ETF and how does it differ from holding a single share?

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a basket of securities that trades on an exchange like a stock. Holding a single share means owning a piece of one company, whereas an ETF provides diversified exposure to many companies or assets within one transaction. Both VOO and VTI are ETFs that hold thousands or hundreds of US companies respectively, allowing investors to spread risk across a wide range of businesses rather than betting on the performance of just one entity.

How do expense ratios affect long-term investment returns?

The expense ratio is the annual fee expressed as a percentage of the money invested. Both funds have a fee of 0.03%. A fee of 0.03% on $10,000 equals just $3 a year. Lower fees mean more of your money stays invested and compiles over time. If one fund had a fee of 0.04%, the difference would seem small, but it can significantly reduce overall returns after decades of compounding.

What does the term 'net assets' signify for an investor?

Net assets, or assets under management (AUM), represent the total market value of all holdings in the fund. VOO has net assets of $1.08 trillion, and VTI has $692.2 billion. Large fund size suggests stability and liquidity, making it easier for investors to buy or sell shares without significantly affecting the fund's price. High AUM also often correlates with lower fees due to economies of scale, which benefits long-term holders.

How does the expense ratio difference impact my actual returns?

Both VOO and VTI have an expense ratio of 0.03%, meaning the fee is identical. As such, there is no difference to calculate over time, as neither fund charges more than the other. Both funds take 0.03% of the invested value annually to cover operational costs. This ensures that any divergence in long-term returns will stem from other factors like index tracking or dividend yield rather than fee structures, which remain equal.

Which index does each fund track and what is the main difference?

VOO tracks the S&P 500, targeting large-cap US companies. VTI tracks the total US stock market, encompassing large, mid, and small-cap companies. The primary difference is breadth. VOO focuses exclusively on the top 500 companies, which dominate the economy by market capitalisation. VTI includes thousands of smaller companies in addition to the large ones. Because large companies represent a significant portion of total market capitalisation, the two funds often perform similarly.

Are the holdings of VOO and VTI similar or different?

There is substantial overlap in the top holdings, reflecting that large companies dominate the US market. Both funds share the same top-10 companies: NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, AMZN, GOOGL, AVGO, GOOG, META, MU, and TSLA. VOO holds 8.08% in NVDA, while VTI holds 6.87%. VTI includes additional smaller companies that VOO excludes, leading to slightly different weightings for the largest names, but the core portfolio composition is highly correlated.

How do the dividend yields compare between the two funds?

VOO offers a dividend yield of 1.03%, while VTI offers 1.02%. These figures are very close, reflecting the large-cap focus shared by both. Dividend yield is calculated by dividing annual dividends by the current price. While the yields are nearly identical, small fluctuations occur based on the specific companies included in each index. Since VTI includes small-cap firms, its yield might vary slightly differently depending on the earnings of those smaller entities compared to VOO's large-cap focus.

How do ETF distributions work and what do they mean?

ETFs like VOO and VTI distribute a portion of the income earned from their underlying holdings to shareholders. When the companies in the fund pay dividends or interest, the ETF collects these payments. After covering expenses, it passes the remaining income on to investors, usually quarterly. This cash distribution is separate from capital gains and is a key component of total return. Investors can receive this as cash or automatically reinvest it to buy more shares.

How do inception dates influence the historical data available?

VOO has an inception date of 7 September 2010, while VTI began on 24 May 2001. This means VTI has over nine years of additional trading history compared to VOO. While VOO has demonstrated over 15 years of track record since 2010, VTI offers a longer historical perspective stretching back more than 25 years, providing potentially more data points for analysing performance across different market cycles.

How does top holdings concentration look for both funds?

VOO's top holding is NVDA at 8.08%, followed by AAPL at 7.03%. VTI's top holding is also NVDA but at a lower weight of 6.87%, followed by AAPL at 6.30%. This demonstrates that large technology stocks dominate the top positions of both funds. The slightly lower weightings in VTI occur because the inclusion of mid- and small-cap stocks dilutes the dominance of these large names, spreading the exposure across a broader universe.

How do net assets differ between the two funds?

VOO commands substantial size with net assets of $1.08 trillion, whereas VTI holds $692.2 billion. While VTI is the total market fund and VOO targets just the largest 500 companies, VOO currently possesses higher net assets. This difference highlights the popularity of large-cap exposure and the massive size of the S&P 500 constituent companies, which have driven significant asset growth into VOO relative to the broader market fund.

What is the best way to interpret the comparison data for these funds?

This page compares VOO and VTI to highlight similarities and differences in fees, yields, and holdings. It is educational content, not financial advice. No investment strategy fits everyone, and all investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Please read these facts carefully and consider your own goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. If you are unsure about which product suits your financial situation, consult a qualified financial professional for personalised guidance.

VOO vs VTI

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare VOO (S&P 500) and VTI (Total Stock Market). Both Vanguard ETFs have 0.03% expense ratios and similar top holdings like NVDA and AAPL, though VTI covers the entire US market. Explore fees, dividends and index focus. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

VOO

Metric

VTI

0.03%

Expense Ratio

0.03%

1.03%

Dividend Yield

1.02%

$1.08T

Net Assets

$692.20B

516

Holdings

3,514

Sep 7, 2010

Inception Date

May 24, 2001

–

Index Tracked

–

Large Blend

Fund Category

Large Blend

Both funds charge the same annual fee.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	VOO	VTI
NVDANVIDIA Corporation	8.08%	6.87%
AAPLApple Inc.	7.03%	6.30%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation	5.70%	5.10%
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc.	3.84%	3.41%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc.	3.01%	2.70%
AVGOBroadcom Inc.	2.65%	2.37%
GOOGAlphabet Inc.	2.40%	2.12%
METAMeta Platforms, Inc.	1.90%	1.70%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.	1.63%	1.46%
TSLATesla, Inc.	1.57%	1.40%

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VOO vs VXF

Compare VOO vs VXF on fees, holdings and dividends. VOO is 0.03%, VXF 0.05%. Both yield 1.03%. Shared top-10 holdings are none. Index tracking unavailable.

VOO vs VUG

Compare VOO and VUG. Examine 0.03% expense ratios, dividend yields, top holdings and market segment tracking to understand their structural differences.

VOO vs VXUS

VOO vs VXUS: VOO holds 516 US stocks for 0.03% a year, VXUS holds about 8,860 non-US stocks for 0.05%. Compare fees, yield, size and overlap.

Investment Analysis

VOO

Pros

VOO offers a large expense ratio of 0.03 per cent.
Net assets of 1.08 trillion dollars indicate substantial fund size.
Inception in September 2010 demonstrates over 15 years of history.

Considerations

Dividend yield of 1.03 per cent is relatively modest.
Top holdings show concentrated exposure to technology giants.
Tracked index information is currently not available for verification.

VTI

Pros

VTI has an inception date of May 2001, showing longevity.
Net assets reach 692.2 billion dollars, indicating significant scale.
Expense ratio remains low at 0.03 per cent for investors.

Considerations

Dividend yield of 1.02 per cent is slightly lower than VOO.
Top holdings are dominated by large-cap technology stocks.
Index tracked details are currently not available in the provided data.

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About VOO and VTI

VOO (VOO)

VOO is Vanguard’s exchange-traded fund designed to track the S&P 500 Index, offering broad exposure to about 500 of the largest publicly traded US companies. It aims to replicate the index’s performance minus fees by holding the same stocks in similar proportions, making it a straightforward, passive way to access large‑cap US equities. Investors commonly use VOO as a core holding for long‑term growth or as a simple building block in a diversified portfolio. It typically offers high liquidity and regular dividend distributions from underlying companies. As with any equity investment, VOO’s value can rise or fall with the market, and past performance is not a guide to future returns. Fees, trading costs and potential tracking error reduce returns slightly. This information is general and educational only and not personalised financial advice — consider your own circumstances or speak to a qualified adviser before investing.

VTI (VTI)

This ETF offers broad exposure to the US equity market by tracking a comprehensive index of publicly traded companies. Designed as a large blend fund, it holds thousands of individual stocks, ranging from massive multinational corporations to smaller domestic firms. With an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03%, it aims to provide cost-efficient long-term growth potential. The fund has a dividend yield of approximately 1.02%, reflecting the aggregate distributions from its holdings. Investors often consider this vehicle for core portfolio diversification, though it is essential to remember that stock market investments carry inherent risks, and values can fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and returns are not guaranteed.

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VOO vs VTI

Fund Snapshot