So Goku is always one step ahead of Vegeta(which pissed me off personally), but when they first fought, Vegeta was stronger and had Goku beaten. Then Gohan went Oozaru and that was the end of that. So without the help of Goku's friends and fam, he would've been fucked. Then in the Buu Saga they fight again, after Vegeta purposely falls under Babidi's spell in order to become stronger. Goku had the ability to go SSJ3 but didn't, stating the reason why, later on, was because the SSJ3 transformation doesn't last that long. Finally at the end in GT, Vegeta ascends to SSJ4 along side Goku. So in the end, they are equal.
Having blabbed on about that, feel free to discuss the fights between Goku and Vegeta. Your personal thoughts on the matter. Anything you want regarding these two fighting really.