# SPYM alternatives: 8 similar ETFs compared

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

The ETFs most like SPYM are IVV, VOO and SPY. IVV, VOO and SPY track the same index as SPYM, so they hold the same stocks.

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 SPYM: 3 on the same index and 5 related funds.
- SPYM charges 0.02% a year (about $2 on $10,000).
- IVV moved most like SPYM: a daily correlation of 1.00 over about the last five years.
- Returns and drops for each pair use the same dates for both funds.

## SPYM alternatives at a glance

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

| ETF | How close | Yearly fee | Fee on $10,000 | Tracks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **SPYM** | This fund | 0.02% | $2 | S&P 500 Index |
| [IVV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVV.md) | Same index | 0.03% | $3 | S&P 500 Index |
| [VOO](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VOO.md) | Same index | 0.03% | $3 | S&P 500 Index |
| [SPY](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPY.md) | Same index | 0.0945% | $9.45 | S&P 500 Index |
| [ITOT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ITOT.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | S&P Total Market Index (TMI) |
| [SCHB](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHB.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index |
| [VTI](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VTI.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | Morningstar US Total Market Index |
| [SCHX](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHX.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index |
| [VV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VV.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | Morningstar US Large Cap Index |

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

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

Each row measures the alternative and SPYM 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 SPYM | Per year | SPYM per year | Worst drop | SPYM worst drop | Since |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [IVV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVV.md) | 1.00 | 11.2% | 11.2% | −55.3% | −54.5% | November 2005 |
| [VOO](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VOO.md) | 1.00 | 14.8% | 14.8% | −34.0% | −33.9% | September 2010 |
| [SPY](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SPY.md) | 1.00 | 11.1% | 11.2% | −55.2% | −54.5% | November 2005 |
| [ITOT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ITOT.md) | 1.00 | 11.0% | 11.2% | −55.2% | −54.5% | November 2005 |
| [SCHB](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHB.md) | 1.00 | 14.2% | 14.6% | −35.3% | −33.9% | November 2009 |
| [VTI](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VTI.md) | 1.00 | 11.1% | 11.2% | −55.5% | −54.5% | November 2005 |
| [SCHX](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHX.md) | 1.00 | 14.4% | 14.6% | −34.3% | −33.9% | November 2009 |
| [VV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VV.md) | 1.00 | 11.3% | 11.2% | −54.8% | −54.5% | November 2005 |

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 SPYM alternative, compared

### IVV: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

IVV tracks the same S&P 500 Index as SPYM, so the two hold the same stocks. The main differences are the fee and the fund company.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 505 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2005 to October 2026, IVV returned about 11.2% a year and SPYM returned about 11.2% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### VOO: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

VOO tracks the same S&P 500 Index as SPYM, so the two hold the same stocks. The main differences are the fee and the fund company.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 505 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From September 2010 to October 2026, VOO returned about 14.8% a year and SPYM returned about 14.8% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### SPY: State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

SPY tracks the same S&P 500 Index as SPYM, so the two hold the same stocks. The main differences are the fee and the fund company.

It charges 0.0945% a year, about $9.45 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 504 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2005 to October 2026, SPY returned about 11.1% a year and SPYM returned about 11.2% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### ITOT: iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF

ITOT is a looser match. It holds nearly every US stock, big and small, in one fund, while SPYM holds about 500 large US companies in the S&P 500.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 2,446 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2005 to October 2026, ITOT returned about 11.0% a year and SPYM returned about 11.2% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### SCHB: Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF

SCHB is a looser match. It holds nearly every US stock, big and small, in one fund, while SPYM holds about 500 large US companies in the S&P 500.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 2,409 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2009 to October 2026, SCHB returned about 14.2% a year and SPYM returned about 14.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### VTI: Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF

VTI is a looser match. It holds nearly every US stock, big and small, in one fund, while SPYM holds about 500 large US companies in the S&P 500.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 3,519 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2005 to October 2026, VTI returned about 11.1% a year and SPYM returned about 11.2% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### SCHX: Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF

SCHX is a looser match. It holds the biggest US companies, weighted by size, while SPYM holds about 500 large US companies in the S&P 500.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 749 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2009 to October 2026, SCHX returned about 14.4% a year and SPYM returned about 14.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### VV: Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF

VV is a looser match. It holds the biggest US companies, weighted by size, while SPYM holds about 500 large US companies in the S&P 500.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $2 for SPYM. It held 421 stocks, against 505 for SPYM.

From November 2005 to October 2026, VV returned about 11.3% a year and SPYM returned about 11.2% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

## SPYM versions from other fund companies

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

- **iShares (BlackRock):** [IVV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVV.md), iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (same index, 0.03% a year)
- **Vanguard:** [VOO](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VOO.md), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (same index, 0.03% a year)
- **Schwab:** [SCHB](https://tactfolio.com/etf/SCHB.md), Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (related fund, 0.03% 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 SPYM 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, SPYM costs about $2 a year.
- **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 SPYM 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 ITOT, SCHB or VTI, 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 SPYM 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 SPYM and IVV, 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 SPYM. 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 SPYM 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 SPYM 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 SPYM?

IVV is the closest. IVV tracks the same S&P 500 Index as SPYM, so the two hold the same stocks. The main differences are the fee and the fund company. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together.

### Is there a cheaper alternative to SPYM?

Not among the funds here. SPYM charges 0.02% a year, about $2 on $10,000, which is as low as or lower than each alternative listed.

### Is SPYM or IVV better?

Neither is better for everyone. From November 2005 to October 2026, SPYM returned about 11.2% a year and IVV returned about 11.2% a year. SPYM charges 0.02% a year and IVV charges 0.03%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

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

It would have grown to about $42,249 by October 16, 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is about 15.5% a year. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

## Sources

- [SPDR (State Street): State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF fund page](https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/state-street-spdr-portfolio-sp-500-etf-spym)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core S&P 500 ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239726/ishares-core-s-p-500-etf)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/voo)
- [SPDR (State Street): State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust fund page](https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/state-street-spdr-sp-500-etf-trust-spy)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239724/ishares-core-s-p-total-u-s-stock-market-etf)
- [Schwab: Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1454889/000110465926020685/tm266454-1_497k.htm)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vti)
- [Schwab: Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1454889/000110465926020690/tm266454-2_497k.htm)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vv)
- [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.