S&P 500 ETF decision tool

VOO vs SPY: Fees, Prices and Long-Term Cost

Compare VOO and SPY prices, expense ratios, fund age, and long-term costs.

The key difference between VOO and SPY

Both track the S&P 500, but VOO has the lower annual expense ratio.

VOO has an official expense ratio of 0.03%, while SPY charges 0.0945%. Long-term holders can start with the cost difference. Active traders should also consider SPY’s longer trading history and options ecosystem.
Share price does not measure expected return or valuation. Price per share and long-term ownership cost answer different questions.
Expense ratios and inception dates come from each fund sponsor’s official product page.

VOO and SPY prices

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

$704.02

Daily change
+0.31%
Previous close
$701.83

SPY

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

$765.91

Daily change
+0.32%
Previous close
$763.47

is the timestamp of this five-minute cached quote snapshot.

Official fund facts

ItemVOOSPY
BenchmarkS&P 500S&P 500
Expense ratio0.03%0.0945%
Inception dateSep 7, 2010Jan 22, 1993
Facts as ofApr 28, 2026Jul 28, 2026

Long-term cost difference calculator

Use the same principal and gross return while applying VOO’s 0.03% and SPY’s 0.0945% expense ratios.

VOO after fees
$38,480
SPY after fees
$38,019
Estimated VOO advantage
$461

This estimate assumes unchanged expense ratios and reinvestment at the same return. It excludes taxes, commissions, bid-ask spreads, and tracking differences.

VOO

Select VOO or SPY to use line or candlestick views and technical indicators.

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Which ETF fits each investor?

VOO is a direct choice when the priority is long-term S&P 500 exposure with a lower stated expense ratio. Frequent traders or investors using SPY options should compare actual spreads and their trading strategy in addition to the annual fee. A lower share price does not make one ETF a better investment.

Why are their returns usually similar?

Both products track the S&P 500, so their major holdings and broad market direction overlap. Actual returns also reflect expenses, tracking differences, and distribution reinvestment timing. Similar historical returns do not guarantee future results.

Official fund documents

Expense ratios, inception dates, and benchmark details come from each sponsor’s product page. Fund terms can change, so investors should check the latest documents before buying.

VOO vs SPY questions

Do VOO and SPY track the same index?

Both ETFs track the S&P 500. Their structures, expenses, and realized tracking results can still differ.

Which has the lower expense ratio, VOO or SPY?

VOO has the lower stated expense ratio at 0.03%, compared with 0.0945% for SPY.

Is the ETF with the lower share price better?

No. Share price affects the purchase unit, but it does not directly measure expected return or valuation.

What does the long-term calculator include?

It applies each official expense ratio to the same principal, horizon, and assumed gross return. It excludes taxes, trading costs, and tracking differences.