VEA vs VOO
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, VEA or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VEA led over 1Y, VOO over 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 | VEA | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $230.3B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 3,886 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +13.73%Best | +12.37% |
| 1Y Return | +21.98%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.84% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.22% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,267 | $18,827Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
VEA 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 16 years both funds cover.
VEA vs VOO Performance
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEA returned +21.98% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, VEA is up 13.73% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, VEA compounded at +19.84% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +10.22% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs +6.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -39.9% for VEA and -34.3% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VEA charges 0.03% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VEA currently yields 2.49% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VOO's money is in holdings VEA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VEA, our book for it covers 94.2% 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 3,754 positions we hold weights for in VEA and 494 in VOO, against full books of 3,886 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VEA 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, VEA or VOO?
VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VEA or VOO?
Over the past year VEA returned +21.98% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VEA annualized +6.00% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEA or VOO?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: VEA -39.9% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both VEA and VOO?
VEA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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, VEA or VOO?
VEA yields 2.49% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than VEA?
VEA led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.