VOO vs VSS
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, VOO or VSS?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 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 | VOO | VSS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $997.4B | $13.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 3.10% |
| Holdings | 509 | 4,906 |
| YTD Return | +12.23%Best | +7.85% |
| 1Y Return | +15.47%Best | +12.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.78%Best | +17.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.71%Best | +6.13% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 16.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -46.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,010Best | $13,465 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Apr 2, 2009 |
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 30, 2026 (16.1 years).
VOO vs VSS 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 16.1 years both funds cover.
VOO vs VSS Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOO returned +15.47% while VSS returned +12.12%. Year to date, VOO is up 12.23% versus a gain of 7.85% for VSS.
Over three years, VOO compounded at +22.78% per year against +17.70% for VSS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.71% and +6.13% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.35% annualized vs +4.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VSS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% 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 -34.3% for VOO and -46.8% for VSS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while VSS charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.04% against 3.10% for VSS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VOO's money is in holdings VSS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VSS, our book for it covers 92.7% 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 4,619 in VSS, against full books of 509 and 4,906.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VOO | Weight in VSS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRKroger Co. | 0.05% | 0.01% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOO and VSS 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, VOO or VSS?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VSS charges 0.06%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or VSS?
Over the past year VOO returned +15.47% vs +12.12% for VSS, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VOO annualized +13.35% vs +4.78% for VSS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOO or VSS?
VSS has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: VOO -34.3% vs VSS -46.8%.
Should I hold both VOO and VSS?
VOO and VSS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, VOO or VSS?
VOO yields 1.04% while VSS yields 3.10%, so VSS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VSS better than VOO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.