# DGRW alternatives: 8 similar ETFs compared

> ETFs similar to DGRW, closest first, with each fund's fee, what it tracks, and returns and worst drops on the same dates as DGRW. Updated daily.

The ETFs most like DGRW are VIG, DGRO and NOBL. VIG, DGRO and NOBL hold US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row, like DGRW. VIG costs less: 0.04% a year against 0.28%.

Written by [the Tactfolio research team](https://tactfolio.com/about/editorial-policy). Fund facts checked October 17, 2026. Prices through October 16, 2026.

## Key points

- 8 funds can stand in for DGRW: 3 of the same kind and 5 related funds.
- DGRW charges 0.28% a year (about $28 on $10,000). The cheapest alternative here, VIG, charges 0.04%.
- VIG moved most like DGRW: a daily correlation of 0.97 over about the last five years.
- Returns and drops for each pair use the same dates for both funds.

## DGRW alternatives at a glance

Each fund below can stand in for DGRW, closest first. "Same kind" funds hold the same kind of stocks through a different index. "Related" funds make a different bet that often moves the same way.

| ETF | How close | Yearly fee | Fee on $10,000 | Tracks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **DGRW** | This fund | 0.28% | $28 | WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index |
| [VIG](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VIG.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.04% | $4 | S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index |
| [DGRO](https://tactfolio.com/etf/DGRO.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.08% | $8 | Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index |
| [NOBL](https://tactfolio.com/etf/NOBL.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.35% | $35 | S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index |
| [VYM](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VYM.md) | Related fund | 0.04% | $4 | FTSE High Dividend Yield Index |
| [SCHD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHD.md) | Related fund | 0.06% | $6 | Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index |
| [SPYD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPYD.md) | Related fund | 0.07% | $7 | S&P 500 High Dividend Index |
| [HDV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/HDV.md) | Related fund | 0.08% | $8 | Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index |
| [SPHD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPHD.md) | Related fund | 0.3% | $30 | S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index |

Fees come from each fund company, checked on the dates shown on each fund's page.

## How DGRW and its alternatives did over the same dates

Each row measures the alternative and DGRW on the days both traded, so neither gets a head start. Correlation shows how closely their daily moves matched over about the last five years. A value of 1 means they always moved together.

| ETF | Moves with DGRW | Per year | DGRW per year | Worst drop | DGRW worst drop | Since |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [VIG](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VIG.md) | 0.97 | 12.0% | 13.0% | −31.7% | −32.0% | May 2013 |
| [DGRO](https://tactfolio.com/etf/DGRO.md) | 0.94 | 12.4% | 12.7% | −35.1% | −32.0% | June 2014 |
| [NOBL](https://tactfolio.com/etf/NOBL.md) | 0.85 | 10.5% | 13.1% | −35.4% | −32.0% | October 2013 |
| [VYM](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VYM.md) | 0.92 | 11.2% | 13.0% | −35.2% | −32.0% | May 2013 |
| [SCHD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHD.md) | 0.85 | 12.3% | 13.0% | −33.4% | −32.0% | May 2013 |
| [SPYD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPYD.md) | 0.77 | 8.9% | 13.4% | −46.4% | −32.0% | October 2015 |
| [HDV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/HDV.md) | 0.71 | 9.8% | 13.0% | −37.0% | −32.0% | May 2013 |
| [SPHD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPHD.md) | 0.71 | 8.5% | 13.0% | −41.4% | −32.0% | May 2013 |

Prices through October 16, 2026. Figures use daily closing prices adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. They do not include taxes or the cost of buying and selling. Past results do not tell you what will happen next.

## Each DGRW alternative, compared

### VIG: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

VIG also holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row. It tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while DGRW tracks the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index.

It charges 0.04% a year, about $4 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 333 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From May 2013 to October 2026, VIG returned about 12.0% a year and DGRW returned about 13.0% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.97).

Read the [VIG fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VIG.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### DGRO: iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF

DGRO also holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row. It tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, while DGRW tracks the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index.

It charges 0.08% a year, about $8 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 391 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From June 2014 to October 2026, DGRO returned about 12.4% a year and DGRW returned about 12.7% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.94).

Read the [DGRO fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/DGRO.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### NOBL: ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF

NOBL also holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row. It tracks the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, while DGRW tracks the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index.

It charges 0.35% a year, about $35 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 71 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From October 2013 to October 2026, NOBL returned about 10.5% a year and DGRW returned about 13.1% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.85).

Read the [NOBL fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/NOBL.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### VYM: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

VYM is a looser match. It holds US companies that pay high or steady dividends, while DGRW holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row.

It charges 0.04% a year, about $4 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 593 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From May 2013 to October 2026, VYM returned about 11.2% a year and DGRW returned about 13.0% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.92).

Read the [VYM fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VYM.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### SCHD: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

SCHD is a looser match. It holds US companies that pay high or steady dividends, while DGRW holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row.

It charges 0.06% a year, about $6 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 98 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From May 2013 to October 2026, SCHD returned about 12.3% a year and DGRW returned about 13.0% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.85).

Read the [SCHD fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHD.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### SPYD: State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF

SPYD is a looser match. It holds US companies that pay high or steady dividends, while DGRW holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row.

It charges 0.07% a year, about $7 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 78 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From October 2015 to October 2026, SPYD returned about 8.9% a year and DGRW returned about 13.4% a year. Over about the last five years they often moved together, but not always (correlation 0.77).

Read the [SPYD fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPYD.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### HDV: iShares Core High Dividend ETF

HDV is a looser match. It holds US companies that pay high or steady dividends, while DGRW holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row.

It charges 0.08% a year, about $8 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW. It held 74 stocks, against 199 for DGRW.

From May 2013 to October 2026, HDV returned about 9.8% a year and DGRW returned about 13.0% a year. Over about the last five years they often moved together, but not always (correlation 0.71).

Read the [HDV fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/HDV.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### SPHD: Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF

SPHD is a looser match. It holds US companies that pay high or steady dividends, while DGRW holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row.

It charges 0.3% a year, about $30 on $10,000, against $28 for DGRW.

From May 2013 to October 2026, SPHD returned about 8.5% a year and DGRW returned about 13.0% a year. Over about the last five years they often moved together, but not always (correlation 0.71).

Read the [SPHD fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPHD.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

## DGRW versions from other fund companies

Some people keep all their funds with one company. Here is the closest fund to DGRW from each other company on this page:

- **Vanguard:** [VIG](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VIG.md), Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (same kind of fund, 0.04% a year)
- **iShares (BlackRock):** [DGRO](https://tactfolio.com/etf/DGRO.md), iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (same kind of fund, 0.08% a year)
- **ProShares:** [NOBL](https://tactfolio.com/etf/NOBL.md), ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (same kind of fund, 0.35% a year)
- **Schwab:** [SCHD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHD.md), Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (related fund, 0.06% a year)
- **SPDR (State Street):** [SPYD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPYD.md), State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (related fund, 0.07% a year)
- **Invesco:** [SPHD](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPHD.md), Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (related fund, 0.3% a year)

Most brokers let you buy any ETF, whoever runs it. Mutual fund versions, such as a fund company's index mutual fund, are not listed here.

## How to choose between DGRW and its alternatives

- **What it tracks.** A fund on the same index holds the same stocks. A different index can mean different weights, more or fewer holdings, or a different mix.
- **The fee.** The difference is often small. On $10,000, DGRW costs about $28 a year. VIG costs about $4.
- **History.** An older fund has been through more bad markets, so you can see how far it fell.
- **What you already own.** Two funds that move together add little variety. A fund with a low correlation behaves more on its own.

## Swapping DGRW to harvest a tax loss

Some investors sell a fund at a loss to lower their taxes, then buy a similar fund so they stay invested. This is called tax-loss harvesting.

The IRS wash sale rule blocks the loss if you buy a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after the sale. The IRS has not said exactly when two funds count. Funds on the same index are more likely to. Funds on a different index, such as VIG, DGRO or NOBL, are less likely to.

Ask a tax professional before you rely on this. Read the IRS rules in [Publication 550](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p550).

## Test DGRW and its alternatives in a backtest

Tactfolio is a platform where you build rules-based investing strategies, backtest them on decades of real prices, share them, and run them automatically in your own Alpaca account. Open the [builder](https://tactfolio.com/builder), add DGRW and VIG, and see how each would have done on the same dates, or how a mix of both would have done.

## The details

Alternatives are picked from facts, not from returns. First come funds that track the same index as DGRW. Then come funds that hold the same kind of stocks through another index. Last come funds from a close category that make a different bet. Leveraged funds are only listed as alternatives to other leveraged funds.

Within each group, the funds whose daily returns moved most like DGRW over about the last five years come first. Returns and worst drops use Tactfolio's stored daily prices, adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. Each alternative is measured with DGRW only on days both traded. Read [what a backtest simulates](https://tactfolio.com/docs/backtests.md) for more on these measures.

## Research and test it

- [S&P 500 index](https://tactfolio.com/learn/sp500-index): The S&P 500 tracks about 500 large US companies. Learn how stocks get in, how the index is weighted, how to invest in it, and how far it has fallen before.
- [What is an ETF](https://tactfolio.com/learn/what-is-an-etf): An ETF is a fund that trades like a stock. Learn how ETFs work, what they cost, the main types, and the risks, with SEC sources.
- [ETF screener](https://tactfolio.com/screener.md): A free ETF screener for 162 US-listed funds. Filter by type, issuer and fee, sort by returns or worst drop, and compare funds side by side.
- [ETF expense ratio](https://tactfolio.com/learn/etf-expense-ratio): What an ETF expense ratio is, how the fund charges it, and how 0.03% vs 1% adds up over 10 and 30 years, with real fund examples.
- [Backtest a portfolio](https://tactfolio.com/trading-tools/backtest-portfolio): Backtest a portfolio of US stocks and ETFs. Enter tickers and shares, pick when to rebalance, and get the results with a link to share.
- [Backtesting](https://tactfolio.com/backtesting): Free backtesting software for stocks, ETFs, and crypto perps.

## Common questions

### What ETF is most similar to DGRW?

VIG is the closest. VIG also holds US companies that have raised their dividends for many years in a row. It tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while DGRW tracks the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together.

### Is there a cheaper alternative to DGRW?

Yes. VIG charges 0.04% a year, VYM charges 0.04% a year and SCHD charges 0.06% a year, against 0.28% for DGRW. On $10,000 that is about $4 a year instead of $28.

### Is DGRW or VIG better?

Neither is better for everyone. From May 2013 to October 2026, DGRW returned about 13.0% a year and VIG returned about 12.0% a year. DGRW charges 0.28% a year and VIG charges 0.04%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

### What if I had put $10,000 in DGRW 10 years ago?

It would have grown to about $37,860 by October 16, 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is about 14.2% a year. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

## Sources

- [WisdomTree: WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1350487/000121465926012361/dgrw926497k.htm)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vig)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/264623/ishares-core-dividend-growth-etf)
- [ProShares: ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF fund page](https://www.proshares.com/our-etfs/strategic/nobl)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vym)
- [Schwab: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1454889/000110465926020681/tm266454-15_497k.htm)
- [SPDR (State Street): State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF fund page](https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/state-street-spdr-portfolio-sp-500-high-dividend-etf-spyd)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core High Dividend ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239563/ishares-core-high-dividend-etf)
- [Invesco: Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1378872/000119312525325658/d54028d497k.htm)
- [IRS Publication 550: wash sales](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p550)

> Not financial advice. Tactfolio is a research and automation tool. It is not a broker or a financial adviser. This page is for education only. Backtests are hypothetical. They show how rules would have done on past prices, not how they will do. All investing involves risk, including losing the money you put in.