VOO vs VSLU
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF
Which is better, VOO or VSLU?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and 3Y, VSLU over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.7%.
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 | VOO | VSLU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $997.4B | $562M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 509 | 591 |
| YTD Return | +12.50%Best | +10.72% |
| 1Y Return | +17.58%Best | +14.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.27%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95% | +13.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5% | -23.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384 | $18,670Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.4%Best | 51.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Applied Finance Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Apr 29, 2021 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.4 years).
VOO vs VSLU 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
VOO vs VSLU Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF (VSLU) is an ETF from Applied Finance Funds. Over the past year VOO returned +17.58% while VSLU returned +14.70%. Year to date, VOO is up 12.50% versus a gain of 10.72% for VSLU.
Over three years, VOO compounded at +21.27% per year against +21.18% for VSLU; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and +13.30% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.7% for VSLU. 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 -24.5% for VOO and -23.9% for VSLU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while VSLU charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $49 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.04% against 0.42% for VSLU.
Holdings Overlap
65.8% of VOO's money is in holdings VSLU also owns. 94.5% of VSLU's money is in holdings VOO also owns.
Most of VSLU is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, VOO as of Jun 30, 2026 and VSLU as of Aug 17, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
297 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 457 in VSLU, against full books of 509 and 591.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 145 positions for VSLU that do not appear in our book for VOO (4.4% of the fund), and 203 for VOO that do not appear in VSLU (33.8%).
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 VOO | Weight in VSLU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.51% | 10.99% | 3.48% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.59% | 9.46% | 2.87% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.30% | 7.58% | 3.28% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 3.25% | 6.90% | 3.65% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 1.92% | 3.74% | 1.82% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.77% | 2.85% | 0.08% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.47% | 3.50% | 2.03% |
| VVisa Inc | 0.87% | 2.99% | 2.12% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.64% | 2.26% | 1.62% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.02% | 0.27% | 1.75% |
94.5% of VSLU is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VOO or VSLU?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VSLU charges 0.49%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or VSLU?
Over the past year VOO returned +17.58% vs +14.70% for VSLU, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOO or VSLU?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.7% for VSLU. Worst drawdown: VOO -24.5% vs VSLU -23.9%.
Should I hold both VOO and VSLU?
VOO and VSLU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 VOO and VSLU?
94.5% of VSLU's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 94.5% of VSLU's is in holdings VOO also owns. They hold 297 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 457 in VSLU.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOO or VSLU?
VOO yields 1.04% while VSLU yields 0.42%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VSLU better than VOO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and 3Y, VSLU over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.