Vanguard’s VGT or BlackRock’s ARTY: Which Tech ETF is the Smarter AI Play in 2026?

If you want to invest in the S&P 500 (SPX) index, two of the most popular options are the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF VOO -0.56% ▼ and BlackRock’s BLK +0.13% ▲ iShares Core S&P 500 ETF IVV -0.56% ▼ . At first glance, these two ETFs look almost the same. Both track the same 500 large U.S. companies, both charge a very low expense ratio of 0.03%, and both are managed by major asset managers.

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However, there is a small difference that matters for income investors: the dividend yield.

A Closer Look at the Dividend Yield Gap

Recent data shows that IVV currently offers a slightly higher dividend yield than VOO. The difference is small — about 1.21% for IVV compared with 1.16% for VOO — but it can add up over time.

This does not mean IVV receives more dividends from the companies in the S&P 500. Instead, the difference usually comes from small variations in how each fund handles cash, pays out dividends, and manages its portfolio. Because IVV is managed by BlackRock and widely used by large institutional investors, its fund structure and operations can sometimes result in a slightly higher yield for investors.

Both Funds Own the Same Big Tech Leaders

Both ETFs hold almost the same companies in nearly the same weights. Their largest holdings include major tech firms such as Nvidia NVDA -1.58% ▼ , Apple AAPL -2.21% ▼ , Microsoft MSFT -1.57% ▼ , Amazon AMZN -0.89% ▼ , and Alphabet GOOGL -0.42% ▼ .

Technology companies make up a large share of the S&P 500 today, so both funds are heavily exposed to the tech sector. Any small differences in their weightings usually come from rebalancing or the timing of portfolio updates, rather than a different investment strategy.

Which ETF Should You Choose?

For investors who want slightly higher income, IVV currently has a small edge because of its higher dividend yield. However, Vanguard’s VOO remains one of the most popular long-term ETFs because of Vanguard’s investor-focused structure and strong reputation.

In reality, the difference between the two funds is very small. Both give investors low-cost exposure to the largest U.S. companies and a simple way to invest in the overall stock market.

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