The Best Volatility ETFs
The table below compares the performance and other essential indicators like dividend yield and expense ratio of Volatility ETFs.
Volatility ETFs are exchange-traded funds that aim to provide exposure to the volatility of financial markets, as measured by the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) or other volatility indices. The VIX, also known as the "fear index," measures the market's expectation of volatility in the S&P 500 index over the next 30 days.
Volatility ETFs typically use derivatives such as options and futures to gain exposure to the VIX or other volatility indices. The ETFs can be used as a tool for hedging against market downturns or as a way to profit from market volatility.
However, it's important to note that volatility ETFs can be complex and may not always move in the direction investors expect. They are also subject to the risk of tracking error, which occurs when the returns of the ETF deviate from the returns of the underlying index or benchmark.
- Number of ETFs
- 9
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 1.12%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 10.36%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- -27.36%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 3 / 100
The Best Volatility ETFs
9 results
| Symbol | Full Name | Category | Inception | Expense Ratio | YTD Return | 10Y Return (Annualized) | Dividend Yield | Risk / Return Rank | Max. Drawdown | Sharpe Ratio | Sortino Ratio | Omega Ratio | Martin Ratio | Calmar Ratio | Ulcer Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | Volatility | May 12, 2021 | 0.50% | -1.34% | — | 22.31% | 20 | ||||||||
| ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | Volatility | Oct 3, 2011 | 1.38% | -2.91% | -1.90% | 0.00% | 31 | ||||||||
| Volatility Shares 2x Long VIX Futures ETF | Volatility | Mar 28, 2022 | 2.78% | -27.32% | — | 0.00% | 2 | ||||||||
| ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | Volatility | Oct 3, 2011 | 0.95% | -14.61% | -72.46% | 0.00% | 2 | ||||||||
| ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | Volatility | Jan 3, 2011 | 0.85% | 1.11% | -11.23% | 0.00% | 4 | ||||||||
| ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | Volatility | Jan 3, 2011 | 0.85% | -5.19% | -46.90% | 0.00% | 2 | ||||||||
| iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | Volatility | Jan 19, 2018 | 0.89% | -4.76% | -46.53% | 0.00% | 2 | ||||||||
| Dynamic Shares Trust - Dynamic Short Short-Term Vo... | Volatility | Jan 13, 2022 | 0.50% | — | — | 0.00% | — | ||||||||
| Volatility Premium Plus ETF | Volatility | Apr 17, 2023 | 1.35% | -1.95% | — | 70.89% | 19 |
Best Volatility ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Volatility ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are SVXY (31) and SVOL (20).
The score measures risk-adjusted performance over the past year, accounting for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | 31 | 249.79M | Oct 2011 | |
| Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | 20 | 563.43M | May 2021 | |
| Volatility Premium Plus ETF | 19 | 14.96M | Apr 2023 | |
| ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | 4 | 44.93M | Jan 2011 | |
| Volatility Shares 2x Long VIX Futures ETF | 2 | 425.83M | Mar 2022 |
Best-Performing Volatility ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Volatility ETFs is SVXY (15.29%).
Across the lineup, Volatility ETFs show an average 1-year return of -27.36% and an average 5-year return of -25.22%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | 15.29% | 249.79M | Oct 2011 | |
| Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | 6.50% | 563.43M | May 2021 | |
| ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | -13.53% | 44.93M | Jan 2011 | |
| iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -45.70% | 510.38M | Jan 2018 | |
| ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | -46.35% | 229.68M | Jan 2011 |
Lowest-Cost Volatility ETFs
The top Volatility ETFs is SVOL (0.50%).
With an average expense ratio of 1.12%, Volatility ETFs remain a low-cost option for investors seeking broad market exposure, sector allocations, and diversified portfolio building blocks.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | 0.50% | 563.43M | May 2021 | |
| Dynamic Shares Trust - Dynamic Short Short-Term Vo... | 0.50% | 6.57M | Jan 2022 | |
| ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | 0.85% | 44.93M | Jan 2011 | |
| ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | 0.85% | 229.68M | Jan 2011 | |
| iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.89% | 510.38M | Jan 2018 |
Highest-Yield Volatility ETFs
The top Volatility ETFs is ZVOL (70.89%).
Across the lineup, Volatility ETFs show an average dividend yield of 10.36%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility Premium Plus ETF | 70.89% | 14.96M | Apr 2023 | |
| Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | 22.31% | 563.43M | May 2021 | |
| Volatility Shares 2x Long VIX Futures ETF | 0.00% | 425.83M | Mar 2022 | |
| ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | 0.00% | 44.93M | Jan 2011 | |
| ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | 0.00% | 229.68M | Jan 2011 |
Top ETFs Categories
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Top ETFs Comparisons
Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
SVOL vs. JEPISVOL vs. SPYSVOL vs. ^VIXSVOL vs. SCHDSVOL vs. IVOLVXX vs. VXZVXX vs. QQQVXX vs. SPYVXX vs. ^VVIXVXX vs. DIA.ASUVXY vs. SQQQUVXY vs. SPYUVXY vs. SPXSUVXY vs. TQQQUVXY vs. XLUVIXY vs. ^VVIXVIXY vs. SPYVIXY vs. VOOVIXY vs. VGTVIXY vs. VOOL.DEUVIX vs. ^VIXUVIX vs. SVIXUVIX vs. SQQQUVIX vs. ^FVXUVIX vs. TMFSVXY vs. SVIXSVXY vs. SPYSVXY vs. ZIVBSVXY vs. IVOLSVXY vs. QQQVIXM vs. ^VIXVIXM vs. VOOVIXM vs. VXZVIXM vs. SPYVIXM vs. VTIZVOL vs. SGOVZVOL vs. GPIXZVOL vs. SPYZVOL vs. AMZYZVOL vs. xdteWEIX vs. SVIXWEIX vs. QQQWEIX vs. CLSEWEIX vs. XLKWEIX vs. SCHG
Risk vs. Return Scatterplot
The Risk vs. Return Scatterplot allows you to quickly compare funds, stocks, and ETFs in one view. It displays the yearly return of an instrument on one axis and the risk (volatility) on the other.
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5 Years