AAUS vs. VOO

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. AAUS is actively managed, while VOO is passively managed. Over the past year, AAUS returned 22.31% vs 21.58% for VOO. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. AAUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

AAUS vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAUS achieves a 8.78% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 10.16% return.

AAUS

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 0.39%
• 6M: 7.72%
• YTD: 8.78%
• 1Y: 22.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.32%

VOO

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 8.58%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.58%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: 15.14%
• ALL TIME*: 14.78%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	$2.43M	$1.38M	$531.78K
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	$3.82B	$3.78B	$5.44B

AAUS vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	8.78%	10.11%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.16%	9.13%

Correlation

The correlation between AAUS and VOO is 0.98 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	0.98

The correlation between AAUS and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAUS vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AAUS

AAUS Risk / Return Rank: 66
AAUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
AAUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
AAUS Omega Ratio Rank: 63
AAUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
AAUS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AAUS vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAUS	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	1.53	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.13	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.28	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	2.21	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.93	9.44	-0.51

AAUS vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAUS and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAUS vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAUS drawdown since its inception was -9.13%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUS and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAUS	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.13%	-33.99%	+24.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.13%	-8.90%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-1.38%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.43%	-3.67%	+2.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.08%	+0.13%

Volatility

AAUS vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) have volatilities of 3.54% and 3.54%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAUS	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	3.54%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.80%	10.10%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.90%	12.82%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.77%	16.93%	-4.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.77%	18.01%	-5.24%

AAUS vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AAUS vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

AAUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than VOO's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	0.34%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.07%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAUS and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, AAUS and VOO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AAUS or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to AAUS (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAUS dropped -9.13% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, AAUS or VOO?

On 1-year performance, AAUS leads with 22.31% vs 21.58% for VOO. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAUS or VOO?

Over the 1-year period, AAUS has performed better with a 22.31% return vs 21.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAUS or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AAUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAUS or VOO?

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.34% for AAUS.

What is the main difference between AAUS and VOO?

AAUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAUS and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.53), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.