OCTB vs VOO
Aptus October Buffer ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, OCTB or VOO?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | OCTB | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $48M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 10 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +11.01% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.63% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 13.2% |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2025 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
OCTB vs VOO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
OCTB vs VOO Performance
Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year OCTB returned +13.63% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, OCTB is up 11.01% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 6.7% for OCTB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
OCTB charges 0.25% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, OCTB currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in OCTB and 504 in VOO, totalling 103.6% and 100.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in OCTB and 504 in VOO, against full books of 10 and 506.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of OCTB and VOO 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, OCTB or VOO?
OCTB has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, OCTB or VOO?
Over the past year OCTB returned +13.63% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, OCTB or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 6.7% for OCTB.
Should I hold both OCTB and VOO?
OCTB and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, OCTB or VOO?
OCTB yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.06%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than OCTB?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.