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VOO vs VTI: the short answer
Choose VOO if you deliberately want the S&P 500 and accept that it excludes U.S. mid-, small- and micro-cap stocks. Choose VTI if you want one fund designed to represent nearly the full investable U.S. stock market. Both funds reported the same 0.03% annual expense ratio in their April 28, 2026 prospectuses.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | VOO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF |
| Index | S&P 500 Index | CRSP US Total Market Index |
| Market coverage | U.S. large-cap stocks | Large-, mid-, small- and micro-cap U.S. stocks |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Fund objective | Track the large-cap U.S. market | Track the overall U.S. stock market |
The key difference is the part of the market each fund owns
S&P Dow Jones Indices describes the S&P 500 as a gauge of the U.S. large-cap market. Vanguard says VTI's CRSP US Total Market Index represents approximately 100% of the investable U.S. stock market and includes large-, mid-, small- and micro-cap stocks. That broader definition is the practical reason to choose VTI; it is not a promise that VTI will outperform.
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF VOO
The industry standard for S&P 500 investing. Just 0.03% annually ($3/yr on $10K). $420B in assets. Among the most liquid ETFs in the world.
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF VTI
One ETF covering the entire US stock market. Large, mid, small caps. If you could only buy one ETF for life, VTI is the strongest candidate.
VOO and VTI cost the same at the fund level
A 0.03% expense ratio equals about $3 a year for each $10,000 invested, $15 for $50,000 and $30 for $100,000, before market changes. Brokerage commissions, bid-ask spreads and taxes are separate. Investor.gov recommends checking those trading costs as well as the prospectus fee table.
When VOO or VTI may fit
VOO may fit when you want a dedicated U.S. large-cap allocation, already hold smaller-company exposure elsewhere, or use the S&P 500 as a clearly defined portfolio sleeve.
VTI may fit when you want one U.S. equity fund with large-, mid-, small- and micro-cap exposure and do not want to maintain separate size segments.
Owning both
VTI already contains the large companies represented in VOO. Adding VOO to VTI therefore changes the portfolio toward large caps more than it expands diversification. Use the Portfolio X-Ray to inspect that concentration before adding both.
Changing funds can create a tax decision
Selling shares in a taxable account may realize a capital gain or loss. Tax-deferred and tax-advantaged accounts can work differently. Compare the benefit of changing your market exposure with possible taxes, spreads and brokerage rules; consult a qualified tax professional for your own situation.
If you are building a three-part portfolio, see the 3-fund portfolio guide. For other S&P 500 choices, compare the major S&P 500 ETFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
VOO may fit investors who specifically want the S&P 500. VTI may fit investors who want one fund covering nearly the full investable U.S. stock market. Both reported a 0.03% expense ratio in their April 28, 2026 summary prospectuses.
Neither fund is guaranteed to lead. VOO and VTI use different indexes, so performance changes with the relative results of large, mid, small and micro-cap stocks. Compare total returns over the same period, but do not use recent performance as a forecast.
Yes, but the combination adds less diversification than the two ticker symbols suggest because VTI already holds the large-cap stocks represented in VOO. Check the resulting weights before adding both.
Disclaimer: This educational content is not individualized financial, tax or legal advice. Expense ratios and objectives were checked August 27, 2026; holdings and market data change over time.