BOXX vs VOO
Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, BOXX or VOO?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BOXX | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14.6B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 10 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +2.70% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.01% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.64% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.49% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.3%Best | 12.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.1%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $11,840 | $21,157Best |
| Fund Family | Alpha Architect | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 28, 2022 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 28, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.7 years).
BOXX vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.7 years both funds cover.
BOXX vs VOO Performance
Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) is an ETF from Alpha Architect and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BOXX returned +4.01% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, BOXX is up 2.70% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, BOXX compounded at +4.64% per year against +21.37% for VOO. Across the full 4-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +22.45% annualized vs +4.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 0.3% for BOXX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -0.1% for BOXX and -18.7% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.06. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BOXX charges 0.19% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BOXX currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BOXX and VOO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BOXX or VOO?
BOXX has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BOXX or VOO?
Over the past year BOXX returned +4.01% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BOXX annualized +4.67% vs +22.45% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BOXX or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 0.3% for BOXX. Worst drawdown: BOXX -0.1% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both BOXX and VOO?
BOXX and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of -0.06, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BOXX or VOO?
BOXX yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than BOXX?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.