GBF vs VOO
iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GBF 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 | GBF | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $107M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 3,287 | 509 |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.1%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $9,790 | $18,560Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 18 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GBF has data through Aug 31, 2026 and VOO through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2023 to Aug 31, 2026 (3.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.1% for GBF and -18.7% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBF charges 0.20% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBF currently yields 3.82% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of VOO's money is in holdings GBF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GBF, our book for it covers 83.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 3,068 positions we hold weights for in GBF and 494 in VOO, against full books of 3,287 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBF 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, GBF or VOO?
GBF has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, GBF or VOO?
GBF yields 3.82% while VOO yields 1.04%, so GBF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than GBF?
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.