Wealthy PotSPLG vs VOO: The S&P 500 at Rock-Bottom Cost (and SPLG's New Name)
SPLG and VOO are two of the cheapest ways to own the S&P 500, and they are almost interchangeable, same index, a one-basis-point fee difference, near-identical returns. There's just one thing to know first: SPLG was renamed in late 2025. This guide uses figures pulled straight from the issuers' fund documents.
The Short Answer
- Both track the S&P 500 and are excellent. SPLG (now trading as SPYM) charges 0.02%; VOO charges 0.03%. That's a $1 difference per year on $10,000, immaterial.
- Pick on ecosystem, not performance. Choose SPLG/SPYM (State Street) if you want the absolute lowest fee; choose VOO (Vanguard) if you're already in the Vanguard ecosystem or want the larger, more heavily traded fund. You cannot go wrong either way.
First: SPLG Is Now SPYM
If you're searching for "SPLG," here's the update: effective October 31, 2025, State Street renamed the fund's ticker from SPLG to SPYM (the fund is the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF). Nothing else changed, same fund, same CUSIP, same S&P 500 index, same 0.02% fee, same inception (2005). The rename simply aligned the ticker with State Street's flagship "SPY" family for retirement-plan distribution. If you already hold SPLG, your shares became SPYM automatically. Throughout this guide, "SPLG" and "SPYM" refer to the same fund.
SPLG (SPYM) vs VOO Side by Side
| Feature | SPLG / SPYM | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Fund | State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF |
| Current ticker | SPYM (formerly SPLG) | VOO |
| Index tracked | S&P 500 | S&P 500 |
| Expense ratio | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Number of holdings | ~506 | ~506 |
| SEC 30-day yield | ~1.04% | ~0.98% |
| 10-year return (avg annual, NAV) | 15.50% | 15.47% |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Sep 7, 2010 |
How to Choose Between Near-Twins
When two funds track the same index this closely, performance is a wash, the 10-year returns differ by three-hundredths of a percent, which is just fees and tracking noise. Decide on the practical stuff:
- Lowest fee: SPLG/SPYM edges it at 0.02% vs 0.03%, a genuine but tiny advantage.
- Ecosystem: if you already invest at Vanguard, VOO avoids any friction; SPYM is the natural pick inside a State Street/SPDR-oriented account.
- Size and liquidity: VOO is far larger and more heavily traded, which means tighter spreads, though for buy-and-hold investors this rarely matters.
- Share price: SPLG/SPYM trades at a lower price per share, which can make it marginally easier to invest exact amounts without fractional shares.
Which One Fits You
Choose SPLG/SPYM if: you want the rock-bottom 0.02% fee, a lower share price for exact-dollar investing, or you're building a State Street/SPDR portfolio. It's a fine, ultra-cheap S&P 500 core.
Choose VOO if: you're already at Vanguard, or you prefer the larger, more liquid fund and don't mind the extra basis point. It's the more popular S&P 500 ETF for good reason. For other S&P 500 wrappers, compare IVV vs VOO and SPY vs VOO.
FAQ
Is SPLG or VOO better?
They track the same S&P 500 and perform almost identically. SPLG (now SPYM) is a hair cheaper at 0.02% vs VOO's 0.03%; VOO is larger and more liquid. For most investors it's a coin flip, pick on fee or which brokerage ecosystem you prefer.
What happened to SPLG?
State Street renamed the ticker from SPLG to SPYM effective October 31, 2025. It's the same fund (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) with the same index, fee, and holdings, only the ticker changed. Existing SPLG shares became SPYM automatically.
Is SPLG/SPYM cheaper than VOO?
Yes, slightly. SPLG/SPYM charges 0.02% and VOO charges 0.03%, a difference of about $1 per year per $10,000 invested. It's real but negligible for most investors.
Do SPLG and VOO hold the same stocks?
Effectively yes, both hold the ~500 companies in the S&P 500, weighted by market value. Their returns differ only by tiny amounts from fees and tracking.
Related comparisons: IVV vs VOO · SPY vs VOO · FXAIX vs VOO · VTSAX vs VOO · All ETF comparisons
Primary sources: expense ratios, index, holdings, yields, and returns are from the issuers' official documents for SPLG/SPYM (State Street) and VOO (Vanguard), figures as of Jun 30, 2026 (VOO SEC yield as of Aug 31, 2026). The SPLG-to-SPYM ticker change (effective Oct 31, 2025) is per State Street's fund documentation. For background, see the SEC's Investor.gov guide to mutual funds and ETFs.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Expense ratios, yields, and holdings change over time; confirm current figures on the issuer's site before investing. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.
