SPY vs VDI
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Virtus International Dividend ETF
Which is better, SPY or VDI?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SPY has a lower expense ratio.
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 | SPY | VDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.39% |
| AUM | $811.2B | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,515 | 114 |
| YTD Return | +12.70% | +15.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.53% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.86% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.47% | - |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Dec 2, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
SPY vs VDI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SPY vs VDI Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Virtus International Dividend ETF (VDI) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Year to date, SPY is up 12.70% versus a gain of 15.15% for VDI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VDI charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $39 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 2.22% for VDI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 106 in VDI, totalling 99.8% and 94.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 106 in VDI, against full books of 1,515 and 114.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and VDI 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, SPY or VDI?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VDI charges 0.39%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VDI?
SPY yields 0.98% while VDI yields 2.22%, so VDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VDI better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.