![VTI vs VOO: Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Stock Comparison [2026]](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1611974789855-9c2a0a7236a3?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&q=80)
A head-to-head, data-driven comparison of VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) — covering valuation, growth, dividends, risk, and which one fits your portfolio. All metrics pulled from live market data.
If you're choosing between VTI and VOO, the answer depends on what kind of investor you are. Both are watched closely in the Financial Services sector, but they look different on almost every metric that matters: P/E, growth rate, dividend, balance-sheet quality, and volatility.
Below we break down the head-to-head numbers, name a winner on each dimension, and give a clear recommendation by investor type. Want to run this comparison live with charts and 50+ metrics? Use the free interactive VTI vs VOO comparison tool.
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
Financial Services · Asset Management · AMEX
Seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index.Large-, mid-, and small-cap equity diversified across growth and value styles.Employs a passively managed, index-sampling strategy.The fund remains fully invested.Low expenses minimize net tracking error.With respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund may not: (1) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or (2) purchase securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of the fund’s total assets would be invested in that issuer’s securities; except as may be necessary to approximate the…
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
Financial Services · Asset Management · AMEX
Invests in stocks in the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.Goal is to closely track the index’s return, which is considered a gauge of overall U.S. stock returns.Offers high potential for investment growth; share value rises and falls more sharply than that of funds holding bonds.More appropriate for long-term goals where your money’s growth is essential.With respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund may not: (1) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or (2) purchase securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of …
Quick Verdict
Editor's Take: This isn't a 'which is better' question. It's a question about whether small caps still earn their premium.
VOO holds 500 large caps. VTI holds 4,000+ stocks — large, mid, and small. The expense ratios are identical (0.03%). The actual return difference over the last decade is <0.5% per year. So why is anyone agonizing over this choice?
Because there's a real underlying question: do you believe the small-cap premium documented by Fama and French (~2%/year long-term outperformance of small caps over large) is a real phenomenon that's temporarily out of favor — or is it permanently impaired? Over the last decade, the Russell 2000 has dramatically underperformed the S&P 500, suggesting the premium may have died as private equity captures growth before companies IPO and structural changes shift returns to large caps. Or the premium is just dormant and a violent mean-reversion is coming.
If you believe the premium is real and dormant, VTI is the better long-term bet — you get the small-cap exposure baked in without having to make a tactical call. If you believe markets have permanently changed and small caps are structurally impaired, VOO gives you the cleaner large-cap exposure without the dead-weight of underperforming small caps. Either way: don't agonize. Pick one, rebalance once a year, and stop reading articles like this one. The actual return killer for ETF investors isn't VOO vs VTI — it's panic-selling during drawdowns. The choice between these matters far less than your ability to hold through the next 30% drawdown.
How to Read This VTI vs VOO Comparison
Stock comparisons can be misleading if you focus on a single metric. A "cheaper" P/E doesn't automatically make a stock a better buy — slower-growing companies should trade at lower multiples. The right framework is to score each name on four independent dimensions and weight them according to your investing goal.
The Four-Dimension Framework
- Growth — How fast is the business expanding? We look at year-over-year revenue and EPS growth. Faster growers earn premium multiples but carry execution risk.
- Value — Are you paying a fair price? P/E, P/B, EV/EBITDA, and free cash flow yield tell you what the market is charging per dollar of business performance.
- Income — Does the stock pay you to wait? Dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend history matter for retirees, FIRE investors, and anyone funding ongoing expenses.
- Safety — How much can you lose if things go wrong? Low beta, manageable debt-to-equity, and high ROE indicate a more durable business.
No single stock wins on all four. VTI and VOO likely each lead on at least one dimension. The "right" answer is the one that matches your portfolio gap — if you already own a basket of high-growth tech, the cheaper, lower-volatility name probably adds more diversification value than another momentum bet.
Side-by-Side Metrics: VTI vs VOO
| Metric | VTI | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $361.86 | $674.67 |
| Market Cap | — | — |
| P/E Ratio (lower is cheaper) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| EPS | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Beta (volatility vs market) | 1.04 | 1.00 |
| ROE (higher is better) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Debt/Equity (lower is safer) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| 52-Week High | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-Week Low | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
Which Stock Has Better Growth?
VTI grew revenue 0.00% and EPS 0.00% year-over-year. VOO grew revenue 0.00% and EPS 0.00%.
Roughly tied — growth profiles are roughly comparable.
Which Stock Is Cheaper on Valuation?
VTI trades at a P/E of 0.00, while VOO trades at 0.00. ROE for VTI is 0.00% versus 0.00% for VOO.
Roughly tied — both trade at similar earnings multiples.
Which Stock Pays More Income?
VTI yields 0.00%; VOO yields 0.00%.
Roughly tied — neither pays a meaningful dividend.
Which Stock Is the Safer Bet?
VTI has a beta of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00. VOO sits at beta 1.00 and D/E 0.00.
Roughly tied — risk profiles look similar.
Where VTI and VOO Sit in Their 52-Week Range
Price action over the last 12 months gives important context. A stock near its 52-week high has momentum on its side but limited room before profit-taking; one near its low may be a value opportunity or a structural problem.
Key Risks for VTI and VOO
Every stock has tail risks that the headline numbers don't capture. Here's what stands out from the available metrics:
- VTI: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.
- VOO: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.
This is a quick heuristic risk scan, not a full risk assessment. Always read the "Risk Factors" section of each company's most recent 10-K filing before investing.
VTI vs VOO — Best Pick by Investor Type
- Long-term holder (10+ years): Lean toward either name works; durability and balance-sheet strength matter more than the next-quarter print.
- Income / dividend-focused: either name works — higher yield, but always check payout sustainability before chasing.
- Aggressive growth: either name works — faster top-line and EPS expansion at the cost of richer multiples.
- Value-oriented: either name works — paying less per dollar of earnings, with the trade-off of slower growth.
The Bottom Line: VTI vs VOO
Neither name dominates — they're a genuine VTI vs VOO toss-up that comes down to which dimension matters most for your portfolio.
If you're the kind of investor who hates picking, the easiest answer is to own both names in equal weight inside a sector basket and rebalance once a year. That way, you capture the winner without having to predict it, and you pay the lowest possible behavioral cost (no second-guessing, no FOMO).
If you must pick one, anchor on the dimension that fixes your biggest portfolio gap — not the one with the most exciting headline. Tilting toward defensive names when you already own three growth winners adds more risk-adjusted return than another momentum bet.
Metrics Glossary — What Each Number Means
If you're new to fundamental analysis, here's a plain-English reference for every metric in the table above:
- P/E Ratio (Price-to-Earnings): Share price divided by earnings per share. Tells you how many years of current earnings the stock costs. Lower = cheaper, but slow growers should have lower P/Es.
- EPS (Earnings Per Share): Net income divided by shares outstanding. The per-share slice of company profits.
- Market Cap: Share price × shares outstanding. The market's total valuation of the company's equity.
- Dividend Yield: Annual dividend per share ÷ current price, expressed as a percent. A 3% yield means you receive $3 per year for every $100 invested at today's price.
- Beta: Volatility relative to the broader market (S&P 500 = 1.0). Beta of 1.5 means the stock historically moves 1.5× the market, both up and down.
- ROE (Return on Equity): Net income ÷ shareholder equity. How efficiently the company turns equity capital into profit. Above 15% is generally considered high quality.
- Debt-to-Equity: Total debt ÷ shareholder equity. Lower ratios mean less leverage and lower interest-rate risk.
- Revenue Growth (YoY): Percentage change in revenue versus the year-ago period. The single best top-line health check.
- EPS Growth (YoY): Same comparison but for earnings per share — captures both revenue growth and operating leverage.
- 52-Week High / Low: The trailing 12-month price range. Useful for context on current price (e.g. a stock near its 52-week high is in an uptrend; near the low is in a downtrend or value zone).
Run a Live VTI vs VOO Comparison
The numbers above reflect the latest available data, but markets move every minute. For a real-time, interactive head-to-head with price charts (1D to YTD), all 50+ metrics, and AI-powered insights, use our free tool — it's free, no signup required, and shareable:
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Disclaimer: This comparison is generated from live market data for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for the analysis of a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions. StockSignal24 is not responsible for losses incurred from trading decisions made based on this content.