VOO vs VOOG
S&P 500 (VOO) vs S&P 500 Growth (VOOG) — Which Vanguard ETF should you buy?
Understanding VOO and VOOG
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks all 500 companies in the S&P 500 Index — a blend of growth and value stocks representing America's largest companies. It's the most straightforward way to own the US large-cap market with Vanguard's ultra-low expense ratio.
VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) tracks only the growth stocks within the S&P 500 — approximately 230 companies selected based on earnings growth, sales growth, and momentum. This creates a portfolio heavily tilted toward technology and consumer discretionary sectors.
The core question: Do you want the full S&P 500 (VOO) or just its growth stocks (VOOG)? VOOG has higher upside potential during bull markets but falls harder during downturns. Over 10 years, VOOG has returned +369.19% compared to VOO's +292.23%.
Head to Head
VOO holds all S&P 500 companies (growth + value) while VOOG holds only the growth subset. Compare expense ratios, returns, and volatility to see the impact of this difference.
| Metric | VOO | VOOG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.07% | VOO |
| Total Assets | $1.5T | $21.9B | VOO |
| 1 Year Return | +21.60% | +26.00% | VOOG |
| 5 Year Return | +83.88% | +99.35% | VOOG |
| 10 Year Return | +292.23% | +369.19% | VOOG |
| Volatility (3Y) | 11.6% | 13.7% | VOO |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -30.5% | VOO |
| Current Price | $609.09 | $425.46 | — |
Growth of $10,000
What if you had invested $10,000 in each ETF? During bull markets, VOOG tends to outpace VOO due to its growth tilt. During downturns, VOO's value stocks provide ballast. The chart shows how this plays out over time.
Annual Returns Comparison
| Year | VOO | VOOG | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -2.88% | -4.30% | -1.42% | 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 | +31.36% | +30.93% | -0.43% | VOO |
| 2018 | -4.50% | -0.21% | +4.29% | VOOG |
| 2017 | +21.77% | +27.19% | +5.42% | VOOG |
Monthly Returns Comparison
The heatmaps below show month-by-month returns. Green indicates positive months, red indicates negative. Notice how VOOG tends to have more extreme colors — bigger gains in good months, bigger losses in bad months.
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: 3/16/2026