QQQ vs VIG
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VIG?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VIG is less concentrated, with 33.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | QQQ | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $498.6B | $112.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.48% |
| Holdings | 321 | 336 |
| YTD Return | +21.69%Best | +9.98% |
| 1Y Return | +24.10%Best | +13.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.05%Best | +17.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.31%Best | +10.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5% | -48.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,286Best | $16,813 |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 33.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 21, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2006 to Oct 13, 2026 (20.5 years).
QQQ vs VIG 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 covers the 20.5 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VIG Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +24.10% while VIG returned +13.09%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.69% versus a gain of 9.98% for VIG.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +27.05% per year against +17.14% for VIG; over five years the annualized figures are +16.31% and +10.95% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.23% annualized vs +8.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 13.3% for VIG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -53.5% for QQQ and -48.2% for VIG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VIG charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 1.48% for VIG.
Holdings Overlap
35.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 32.0% of VIG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026 and VIG as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
28 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 322 in VIG, against full books of 321 and 336.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 271 positions for VIG that do not appear in our book for QQQ (67.3% of the fund), and 68 for QQQ that do not appear in VIG (62.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in VIG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.80% | 4.45% | 3.35% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.88% | 4.34% | 1.54% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.74% | 4.63% | 1.89% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.31% | 2.11% | 0.20% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.95% | 1.98% | 0.03% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.77% | 1.83% | 0.06% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.64% | 1.58% | 0.06% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.08% | 1.08% | 0.00% |
| KLACKla Corp | 1.04% | 1.03% | 0.01% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.95% | 0.96% | 0.01% |
35.4% of QQQ is already inside VIG.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQ or VIG?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VIG charges 0.04%. VIG is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VIG?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.10% vs +13.09% for VIG, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), QQQ annualized +15.23% vs +8.51% for VIG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VIG?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: QQQ -53.5% vs VIG -48.2%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VIG?
QQQ and VIG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and VIG?
35.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 32.0% of VIG's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 322 in VIG.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VIG?
QQQ yields 0.42% while VIG yields 1.48%, so VIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VIG better than QQQ?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VIG is less concentrated, with 33.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.