TBFG vs VOO
The Brinsmere Fund - Growth ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, TBFG or VOO?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.2%.
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 | TBFG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.36% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 25 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.07% | +12.50%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.94% | +17.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 12.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $13,913 | $16,757Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.2% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Brinsmere Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 12, 2024 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 16, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.7 years).
TBFG 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
TBFG vs VOO Performance
The Brinsmere Fund - Growth ETF (TBFG) is an ETF from Brinsmere Fund and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TBFG returned +14.94% while VOO returned +17.58%. Year to date, TBFG is up 10.07% versus a gain of 12.50% 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 12.0% compared with 9.2% for TBFG. 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 -14.2% for TBFG and -18.7% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TBFG charges 0.46% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $3 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TBFG currently yields 2.36% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
6.1% of TBFG's money is in holdings VOO also owns.
TBFG and VOO share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, TBFG as of Aug 17, 2026 and VOO as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in TBFG and 505 in VOO, against full books of 25 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 495 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for TBFG (99.4% of the fund), and 23 for TBFG that do not appear in VOO (93.9%).
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 TBFG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEAVanguard Ftse Developed Markets ETF | 6.13% | 0.01% | 6.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TBFG 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, TBFG or VOO?
TBFG has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TBFG or VOO?
Over the past year TBFG returned +14.94% vs +17.58% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TBFG or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 9.2% for TBFG. Worst drawdown: TBFG -14.2% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both TBFG and VOO?
TBFG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between TBFG and VOO?
6.1% of TBFG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.0% of VOO's is in holdings TBFG also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in TBFG and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, TBFG or VOO?
TBFG yields 2.36% while VOO yields 1.04%, so TBFG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than TBFG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.