VOO vs IVV
VOO and IVV are two of the three big S&P 500 ETFs (SPY is the third). They hold the same 500 companies at the same low cost, so their performance is almost identical. This page explains what, if anything, actually separates them for a beginner.
VOO (Vanguard) and IVV (iShares) track the same S&P 500 at the same 0.03% cost, so they are near-interchangeable and the choice usually comes down to which brokerage you use.
These track the same index
VOO and IVV track the identical S&P 500 index at the same 0.03% expense ratio, so their returns are expected to be almost indistinguishable. The meaningful differences here are the fund provider and your brokerage, not performance.
Pick two investments, choose a time range, and we will show how each performed with real data.
Price return counts only the change in market price. Dividends are ignored.
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Not enough overlapping history
We could not find enough real, overlapping price data for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and iShares Core S&P 500 over this range. Try a different range, or a different pair. We do not fill gaps with estimated data.
For education only. Money Masters does not give investment advice or recommendations, and nothing here is a suggestion to buy or sell any asset. Figures use real historical prices; total return uses real dividend data where it is available and is otherwise shown as price return. Fees and taxes are not included. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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Cost and what each tracks
Over long holding periods, a small fee difference compounds. Here is the cost and the index behind each fund.
Expense ratios as of 2026, from each fund’s provider. Verify the current figure on the fund’s page before investing. See our guide on why fees matter and run the impact in the compound interest calculator.
Which investor is each designed for?
These are educational profiles, not advice. The right fit depends on your own goals, timeline, and comfort with risk.
Investors who already use Vanguard or prefer its fund lineup; commission-free and familiar inside that ecosystem.
Investors in the iShares (BlackRock) ecosystem or a brokerage where IVV is the more natural, commission-free choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any real difference between VOO and IVV?
Very little. Both track the S&P 500 at 0.03% a year and have nearly identical holdings and returns. The practical decision usually comes down to which fund family your brokerage favors and tiny differences in trading spreads. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is better, VOO or IVV?
For most long-term investors they are effectively interchangeable. Picking the one that is commission-free and convenient at your broker is a perfectly reasonable way to decide.
Can I switch between VOO and IVV later?
In a taxable account, selling one to buy the other can trigger taxes, so it is worth picking one to hold rather than swapping. Inside a retirement account there is no tax on switching.
Still unsure?
Keep learning. These pick up exactly where this comparison leaves off.