DAPP vs QQQ
VanEck Digital Transformation ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DAPP or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DAPP led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.5%.
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 | DAPP | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $217M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 21 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +15.00% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.20% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +51.22%Best | +24.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.10% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 76.3% | 20.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -91.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,111 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.5% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 14, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.4 years).
DAPP vs QQQ 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
DAPP vs QQQ Performance
VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP) is an ETF from VanEck and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DAPP returned +21.20% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, DAPP is up 15.00% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, DAPP compounded at +51.22% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -4.10% and +14.18% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DAPP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 76.3% compared with 20.4% for QQQ. 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 -91.9% for DAPP and -35.1% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DAPP charges 0.52% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $18 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DAPP currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
4.2% of DAPP's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings DAPP also owns.
DAPP and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in DAPP and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 21 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for DAPP (97.4% of the fund), and 14 for DAPP that do not appear in QQQ (75.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DAPP | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSTRMicrostrategy Inc | 4.22% | 0.14% | 4.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DAPP and QQQ 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, DAPP or QQQ?
DAPP has an expense ratio of 0.52% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DAPP or QQQ?
Over the past year DAPP returned +21.20% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DAPP or QQQ?
DAPP has been the more volatile fund at 76.3% annualized versus 20.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: DAPP -91.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both DAPP and QQQ?
DAPP and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DAPP and QQQ?
4.2% of DAPP's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.1% of QQQ's is in holdings DAPP also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in DAPP and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, DAPP or QQQ?
DAPP yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DAPP?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DAPP led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.