VOO vs VOOG
S&P 500 (VOO) vs S&P 500 Growth (VOOG) — Which Vanguard ETF should you buy?
Head to Head
| Metric | VOO | VOOG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.07% | VOO |
| Total Assets | $1.5T | $21.9B | VOO |
| 1 Year Return | +20.69% | +26.00% | VOOG |
| 5 Year Return | +87.49% | +99.35% | VOOG |
| 10 Year Return | +294.85% | +369.19% | VOOG |
| Volatility (3Y) | 11.6% | 13.7% | VOO |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -30.5% | VOO |
| Current Price | $612.5 | $425.46 | — |
Growth of $10,000
How would $10,000 invested at inception have grown?
Annual Returns Comparison
| Year | VOO | VOOG | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -2.33% | -4.30% | -1.97% | VOO |
| 2025 | +17.82% | +22.11% | +4.29% | VOOG |
| 2024 | +24.98% | +35.89% | +10.91% | VOOG |
| 2023 | +26.32% | +29.96% | +3.64% | VOOG |
| 2022 | -18.17% | -29.48% | -11.31% | VOO |
| 2021 | +28.79% | +31.95% | +3.16% | VOOG |
| 2020 | +18.32% | +33.35% | +15.03% | VOOG |
| 2019 | +31.37% | +30.93% | -0.44% | VOO |
| 2018 | -4.50% | -0.21% | +4.29% | VOOG |
| 2017 | +21.77% | +27.19% | +5.42% | VOOG |
VOO Monthly Returns
VOOG Monthly Returns
Key Differences
VOO (S&P 500)
- • Tracks the entire S&P 500 index
- • More diversified across all sectors
- • Includes value and growth stocks
- • Lower volatility, steadier returns
- • Better for conservative investors
VOOG (S&P 500 Growth)
- • Tracks only growth stocks in S&P 500
- • Heavy in tech (Apple, Microsoft, etc.)
- • Higher potential returns
- • More volatile, bigger swings
- • Better for aggressive investors
The Bottom Line
Choose VOO if you want broad market exposure with lower risk. Choose VOOG if you believe growth stocks will outperform and can handle more volatility. Both have the same ultra-low expense ratio from Vanguard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VOO and VOOG?
VOO tracks the entire S&P 500 index (500 large US companies), while VOOG tracks only the growth stocks within the S&P 500 (about 230 companies). VOOG is more concentrated in technology and tends to be more volatile.
Which has better returns, VOO or VOOG?
Historically, VOOG has outperformed VOO during bull markets due to its growth stock focus. However, VOO tends to hold up better during market downturns. Over the long term, the difference is often small.
What is the expense ratio for VOO and VOOG?
Both VOO and VOOG have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them among the cheapest ETFs available. This means you pay just $300 per year for every $10,000 invested.
Can I own both VOO and VOOG?
Yes, but there's significant overlap. VOOG stocks are already included in VOO. If you own both, you're essentially overweighting growth stocks. Consider VOO for broad exposure, or pair VOOG with VOOV (value) for a balanced approach.
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Last updated: 3/13/2026