VIG vs VOT
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, VIG or VOT?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VIG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOT over the full window. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%.
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 | VIG | VOT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $111.4B | $19.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 0.60% |
| Holdings | 335 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +8.93%Best | +6.16% |
| 1Y Return | +11.85%Best | +1.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.73%Best | +16.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.86%Best | +4.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.2%Best | -60.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,745Best | $12,678 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.4% | 20.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 21, 2006 | Aug 17, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Sep 21, 2026 (20.1 years).
VIG vs VOT 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 20.1 years both funds cover.
VIG vs VOT Performance
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VIG returned +11.85% while VOT returned +1.82%. Year to date, VIG is up 8.93% versus a gain of 6.16% for VOT.
Over three years, VIG compounded at +16.73% per year against +16.18% for VOT; over five years the annualized figures are +10.86% and +4.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +9.40% annualized vs +8.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 13.3% for VIG. 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 -48.2% for VIG and -60.3% for VOT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VIG charges 0.04% per year while VOT charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VIG currently yields 1.48% against 0.60% for VOT.
Holdings Overlap
4.4% of VIG's money is in holdings VOT also owns. 18.3% of VOT's money is in holdings VIG also owns.
VOT and VIG share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 322 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 123 in VOT, against full books of 335 and 129.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for VOT that do not appear in our book for VIG (80.1% of the fund), and 272 for VIG that do not appear in VOT (95.0%).
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 VIG | Weight in VOT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc | 0.31% | 1.65% | 1.34% |
| GWWWw Grainger Inc. | 0.26% | 1.41% | 1.15% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 0.26% | 1.39% | 1.13% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.24% | 1.25% | 1.01% |
| CTASCintas Corp. | 0.30% | 0.79% | 0.49% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 0.17% | 0.92% | 0.75% |
| MSCIM S C I Inc. | 0.18% | 0.90% | 0.72% |
| AAgilent Technologies Inc | 0.17% | 0.89% | 0.72% |
| VMCVulcan Materials Co. | 0.15% | 0.79% | 0.64% |
| MLMMartin Marietta Materials Inc. | 0.14% | 0.72% | 0.58% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VIG and VOT 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, VIG or VOT?
VIG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VOT charges 0.05%. VIG is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VIG or VOT?
Over the past year VIG returned +11.85% vs +1.82% for VOT, so VIG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VIG annualized +8.66% vs +9.40% for VOT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VIG or VOT?
VOT has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: VIG -48.2% vs VOT -60.3%.
Should I hold both VIG and VOT?
VIG and VOT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VIG and VOT?
18.3% of VOT's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 18.3% of VOT's is in holdings VIG also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 322 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 123 in VOT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VIG or VOT?
VIG yields 1.48% while VOT yields 0.60%, so VIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOT better than VIG?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VIG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOT over the full window. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.