VOO vs. QQQ: Which is better for long-term?

General
1

I’m currently deciding between investing in VOO and QQQ for my portfolio, and I’m having a hard time choosing which one might be better for long-term growth. VOO seems like a safe and stable option since it tracks the S&P 500, but I know QQQ focuses on tech-heavy companies, which could have higher growth potential but possibly more risk.

If you’ve invested in either (or both), what has your experience been like? Do you think QQQ’s focus on tech is worth the volatility, or does VOO offer more balanced, long-term security? Any advice, personal stories, or insights would be super helpful. I’m especially curious about which you think would be better for a portfolio focused on retirement savings. Thanks in advance!

2

20 years from now, QQQ might outperform VOO significantly—or it might not. Diversification is key because the hot hand today may not be the leader in the future. You don’t need to pick one path for life; you can diversify and rebalance.

3

@Dell
Great point. Diversifying and holding both VOO and QQQ could be a good approach.

4

Shannon said:
@Dell
Great point. Diversifying and holding both VOO and QQQ could be a good approach.

But how much diversification is there when over 80% of the stocks in QQQ are already in VOO?

5

@Zion
Would you suggest VOO and VTI instead?

6

Shannon said:
@Zion
Would you suggest VOO and VTI instead?

No, because VTI already contains everything in VOO. If you want real diversification, pair VTI with VXUS for international exposure.

7

Shannon said:
@Zion
Would you suggest VOO and VTI instead?

I personally stick with VOO, but it really depends on your strategy.

8

Shannon said:
@Dell
Great point. Diversifying and holding both VOO and QQQ could be a good approach.

Stop overthinking the overlap. Owning both VOO and QQQ is fine. I own both, and they’ve performed extremely well for me.

9

I’d be cautious about tilting too heavily toward large growth stocks like QQQ. Nearly every stock in QQQ is already in VOO, so I prefer sticking with broad market exposure like VOO for long-term stability.

10

VOO offers exposure to 500 companies, while QQQ focuses on 100, mainly tech. QQQ has done well in recent years, but who knows about the future? If you want more diversification, consider VTI, which tracks the entire U.S. stock market.

11

@Haven
I’ve heard VTI is slightly more volatile because it includes small caps. VOO has historically done about 1% better over the last decade. I’m leaning toward combining VOO and QQQ for a balanced approach.

12

@Shannon
Respectfully, choosing funds based on past performance (like 1% better returns) shows a misunderstanding of index investing. Focus on what you want to invest in—total market (VTI), S&P 500 (VOO), or tech-heavy Nasdaq (QQQ). Each has its purpose.

13

If you’re buying QQQ for the long term, consider QQQM instead—it’s cheaper. Personally, I prefer broader diversification with VTI (80%) and VXUS (20%). QQQ is fine, but its focus on Nasdaq companies and exclusion of financials feels random to me.

14

I invest in all three—VOO, VTI, and QQQ. They each make up about 25-30% of my portfolio. I buy whichever is down that day. It avoids the headache of picking just one and keeps my portfolio diversified.

15

@Sia
Doesn’t adding VTI feel redundant since it already includes VOO and QQQ companies?

16

If you’re allocating 100% of your portfolio, I’d go with VOO for broader exposure. Alternatively, VONG offers a mix of growth and balance as a single ETF.

17

VOO would be my pick for long-term, but combining it with QQQ can also work well.

18

If you want something super diversified, consider McDonald’s stock. Just kidding—but seriously, don’t overthink it. Either one will perform fine for retirement.