DEFR vs VOO
Aptus Deferred Income ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DEFR or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y 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 | DEFR | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $148M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 10 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -1.83% | +13.31%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.29% | +17.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.72% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.19% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.4%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.1%Best | -8.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,505 | $13,406Best |
| Fund Family | Aptus Capital Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 13, 2025 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1.4 years).
DEFR 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
DEFR vs VOO Performance
Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR) is an ETF from Aptus Capital Advisors and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DEFR returned -0.29% while VOO returned +17.07%. Year to date, DEFR is down 1.83% versus a gain of 13.31% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 4.4% for DEFR. 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 -4.1% for DEFR and -8.9% 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 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DEFR charges 0.79% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DEFR currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DEFR 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, DEFR or VOO?
DEFR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DEFR or VOO?
Over the past year DEFR returned -0.29% vs +17.07% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), DEFR annualized +3.58% vs +23.29% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DEFR or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 4.4% for DEFR. Worst drawdown: DEFR -4.1% vs VOO -8.9%.
Should I hold both DEFR and VOO?
DEFR and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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, DEFR or VOO?
DEFR yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than DEFR?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.