Which is better, VIG or DGRO?

VIG has produced slightly better risk-adjusted returns due to its tighter quality screens. DGRO has produced slightly higher current income. Differences are small — both are excellent core dividend-growth holdings.

Is there much overlap between VIG and DGRO?

Significant overlap — about 50% of holdings appear in both. Most investors pick one or the other rather than holding both.

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ETF Comparison

VIG vs DGRO: Two Premium Dividend Growth ETFs

Vanguard's VIG and BlackRock's DGRO both focus on dividend growth. Compare expense, holdings, sector mix, and screening methodology.

Data as of April 27, 2026

VIG

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

Vanguard

Dividend Growth

Price

$226.83

Yield (TTM)

1.66%

DGRO

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF

BlackRock

Dividend Growth

Price

$72.78

Yield (TTM)

2.10%

Quick Comparison Summary

VIG vs DGRO: compare dividend yield (1.7% vs 2.1%), expense ratio (0.04% vs 0.08%), holdings, returns, and our verdict for dividend investors.

Side-by-Side Metrics

Metric	VIG	DGRO
Issuer	Vanguard	BlackRock
Inception	2006-04-21	2014-06-10
Category	Dividend Growth	Dividend Growth
Price	$226.83	$72.78
NAV	$226.87	$72.77
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.66%	2.10%
Expense Ratio	0.04%	0.08%
Distribution Frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
AUM	$105.4B	$39.2B

Total Returns

3Y and 5Y figures are annualized. A 0% value indicates the fund had not been listed for the full period.

Holdings & Sector Exposure

VIG

Top 5 / 5 shown

MSFT
Microsoft
4.85%
AAPL
Apple
4.42%
JPM
JPMorgan Chase
3.92%
AVGO
Broadcom
3.45%
V
Visa
3.18%

Sector Weights

Information Tech22.8%
Financials19.4%
Health Care15.2%
Industrials13.8%
Consumer Staples11.4%
Consumer Disc.6.8%

DGRO

Top 5 / 5 shown

MSFT
Microsoft
3.62%
AAPL
Apple
3.41%
JPM
JPMorgan Chase
3.18%
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
2.88%
ABBV
AbbVie
2.65%

Sector Weights

Financials19.2%
Information Tech17.8%
Health Care16.5%
Consumer Staples12.1%
Industrials11.4%
Energy6.8%

Pros & Cons

VIGPros

10-year dividend growth requirement (high bar)
Yield-trap screen (excludes top 25% highest yielders)
Lower 0.04% expense ratio
Larger AUM, better liquidity

DGROPros

Broader portfolio (~400 holdings)
Higher current yield than VIG
Captures earlier-stage dividend growers (5-year screen)

VIGCons

Lower current yield (~1.7% vs ~2.1%)
Excludes some high-quality high-yielders

DGROCons

Slightly higher 0.08% expense ratio
Less stringent quality screen

The Verdict

Very similar funds — VIG has stricter screens; DGRO casts a wider net. Both are excellent dividend-growth ETFs at low fees. VIG requires 10 consecutive years of dividend growth (and excludes the top 25% highest yielders); DGRO requires only 5 years and includes higher yielders. The result: VIG holds higher-quality mega-caps, DGRO holds a broader middle-cap-tilted growth basket.

Best for

VIG

Investors prioritizing top-tier dividend-growth quality

Best for

DGRO

Investors wanting broader exposure to dividend growers, including earlier-stage names

Strategy Summary

VIG

Tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index — companies with at least 10 consecutive years of dividend growth, excluding the top 25% highest-yielding (a quality screen against yield traps).

DGRO

Tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index — U.S. companies with at least 5 consecutive years of dividend growth, positive earnings payout ratios under 75%, and broad sector exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. ETF data is sourced from issuer fact sheets and may be slightly out of date. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.