IVV vs VSS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, IVV or VSS?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | IVV | VSS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $13.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 3.10% |
| Holdings | 508 | 4,906 |
| YTD Return | +12.53%Best | +7.85% |
| 1Y Return | +15.78%Best | +12.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.89%Best | +17.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.77%Best | +6.13% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -46.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,061Best | $13,465 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Apr 2, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 6, 2009 to Sep 30, 2026 (17.5 years).
IVV vs VSS 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 17.5 years both funds cover.
IVV vs VSS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +15.78% while VSS returned +12.12%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.53% versus a gain of 7.85% for VSS.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.89% per year against +17.70% for VSS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.77% and +6.13% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.01% annualized vs +7.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VSS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 14.4% for IVV. 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 -33.9% for IVV and -46.8% for VSS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VSS charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 3.10% for VSS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of IVV's money is in holdings VSS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VSS, our book for it covers 92.7% 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 4,619 in VSS, against full books of 508 and 4,906.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in VSS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRKroger Co. | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and VSS 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, IVV or VSS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VSS charges 0.06%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or VSS?
Over the past year IVV returned +15.78% vs +12.12% for VSS, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), IVV annualized +14.01% vs +7.34% for VSS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VSS?
VSS has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 14.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs VSS -46.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and VSS?
IVV and VSS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, IVV or VSS?
IVV yields 1.06% while VSS yields 3.10%, so VSS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VSS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.