SPY vs QQQ vs VOO: Which ETF Performed Better?
Compare three popular US equity ETFs over the same period using portfolio simulation — methodology and API approach with Data Captain.
Three ETFs, three stories
SPY is the classic S&P 500 proxy. VOO is another low-cost S&P 500 ETF from Vanguard. QQQ targets Nasdaq-100 growth. Over long windows, rankings change — especially around tech drawdowns and recoveries.
- SPY — SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
- VOO — Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
- QQQ — Invesco QQQ Trust (Nasdaq-100)
Apples-to-apples comparison
Use the same start date, end date, and initial investment for each symbol. Data Captain’s compare endpoint runs independent buy-and-hold backtests and returns a ranked list with total and annual returns.
Example API request
GET /api/backtest/compare?symbols=VOO,SPY,QQQ&investment=10000&startDate=2015-01-01&endDate=2025-01-01
Use this in fintech apps, research newsletters, or internal tools — no spreadsheet exports required.
Next steps for builders
Publish comparison pages that update when your data refreshes. Pair with ETF list search for discovery and batch prices for live watchlists. Outreach to fintech teams works best when you show a working demo link, not just docs.
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