Side by side

VOO vs SPY

Both track the S&P 500. SPY is the most heavily traded ETF in the world, which matters to active traders; long-term investors usually prefer VOO's lower fee.

$
$
yrs
Same return for bothIsolates the effect of fees
%
A fair, like-for-like testBoth funds get the same return, so any difference comes from fees alone.
Subtract fund fees
Show in today's moneyAdjust for inflation
Currency

After 25 years

VOO vs SPY
VOO
$546,058
8% − 0.03% fee · fees cost $2,857
SPY
$539,974
8% − 0.09% fee · fees cost $8,941

VOO ends $6,084 ahead (1.1% more), entirely because of its lower fee.

You put in $160,000 either way.

How they differ

VOOSPY
IndexS&P 500S&P 500
Fee (TER)0.03%0.0945%
DividendsDistributingDistributing
DomicileUnited StatesUnited States
ListingNYSE Arca (USD)NYSE Arca (USD)
ProviderVanguardSPDR (State Street)

Highlighted rows are where the two funds differ.

Growth side by side

Hover or tap the chart for any year
VOO balanceYour contributionsSPY
$0$150k$300k$450k$600kNowYr 2Yr 4Yr 6Yr 8Yr 10Yr 12Yr 14Yr 16Yr 18Yr 20Yr 22Yr 25

Assumes monthly compounding at constant rates with contributions at the end of each month. Before personal taxes. Educational estimate only — real returns vary year to year.

Key differences

  • Both track the S&P 500, so their holdings are essentially the same.
  • VOO is cheaper: 0.03% a year versus 0.0945%. On $10,000 plus $500 a month for 25 years at 7%, that fee gap is worth about $4,992.

About each fund

VOO — Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

One of the most popular S&P 500 funds for US investors, with a very low fee. Non-US investors should check dividend withholding tax and estate-tax rules before buying US-domiciled funds.

SPY — SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

The original and most heavily traded S&P 500 ETF. Its fee is higher than VOO or IVV, so long-term holders often prefer those.

Fund details checked November 2026. Always confirm current figures on each provider's factsheet.

Questions about VOO vs SPY

Is VOO or SPY better?

They track the same index (S&P 500), so neither is better at what it holds. Decide on fees, dividend handling and which one your broker offers cheaply.

Which is cheaper, VOO or SPY?

VOO is cheaper at 0.03% a year, versus 0.0945%. Fees checked November 2026; confirm with each provider.

Can I hold both VOO and SPY?

You can, but it adds little: they hold the same companies, so owning both mostly duplicates your exposure.

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