VOO vs. QQQ
Broad S&P 500 diversification versus concentrated, tech-heavy growth exposure.
At a glance
| Ticker | Fund | Issuer | Index tracked | Expense ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOO | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Vanguard | S&P 500 | 0.03% |
| QQQ | Invesco QQQ Trust | Invesco | Nasdaq-100 | 0.20% |
Data last verified: pending verification
Different indexes, different risk profile
VOO tracks the S&P 500, spreading exposure across roughly 500 companies in every major sector. QQQ tracks the tech-heavy nasdaq-100 instead of the broader, more diversified s&p 500. That narrower focus has historically produced stronger growth during tech bull markets, but also sharper drawdowns during tech-sector downturns.
Which should you choose?
If you want one core holding with broad diversification and lower volatility, VOO is the more conservative choice. If you have a higher risk tolerance and want to overweight technology and growth names on top of a core holding, some investors add QQQ as a satellite position — with the caveat that it increases concentration risk rather than reducing it.
Model a broad-market VOO position with our VOO calculator. This calculator doesn’t model QQQ directly, since its growth and dividend characteristics differ meaningfully from the S&P 500.
More comparisons
- VOO vs. SCHD — broad growth vs. dividend-focused income
- VOO vs. VTI — large-cap only vs. the total U.S. stock market
Frequently asked questions
This calculator provides hypothetical estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. voocalculator.app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Vanguard Group. VOO is a trademark of its respective owner. See our full disclaimer.