Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) belongs to the Large Cap Blend Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with AAEQ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to AAEQ
AAEQ charges 0.15% annually. There are 37 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X U.S. 500 ETF | 0.02% | 4.56M | Sep 2025 | AAEQ vs GXLC | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF | 0.02% | 8.68B | Mar 2019 | AAEQ vs BBUS | |
| iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 95.15B | Jan 2004 | AAEQ vs ITOT | |
| Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF | 0.03% | 72.77B | Nov 2009 | AAEQ vs SCHX | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 2.30T | May 2001 | AAEQ vs VTI |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to AAEQ
Among 209 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 95 | 894.46M | Sep 2018 | AAEQ vs IUS | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 94 | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | AAEQ vs AFOS | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 94 | — | May 2024 | AAEQ vs RSSY | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 93 | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | AAEQ vs AVIE | |
| PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 90 | 160.47M | Dec 2019 | AAEQ vs RAFE |
Top Performing AAEQ Alternatives (YTD)
AAEQ is at 8.51% YTD. There are 173 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 38.18%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztlan North America Nearshoring Stock Selection E... | 38.18% | 33.11M | Nov 2023 | AAEQ vs NRSH | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 33.13% | — | May 2024 | AAEQ vs RSSY | |
| Mohr Company Nav ETF | 27.65% | — | Sep 2024 | AAEQ vs CNAV | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 27.19% | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | AAEQ vs AFOS | |
| iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 21.46% | 27.36B | Apr 2013 | AAEQ vs MTUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to AAEQ
AAEQ has 13.85% 1-year volatility. There are 167 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.38%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | 6.38% | 42.09M | May 2023 | AAEQ vs BDGS | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 7.65% | — | Jul 2025 | AAEQ vs SPXM | |
| iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 8.53% | 23.36B | Oct 2011 | AAEQ vs USMV | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | 8.89% | 402.23M | May 2020 | AAEQ vs SIXA | |
| Liberty One Spectrum ETF | 9.27% | 4.85M | Sep 2025 | AAEQ vs SPCT |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to AAEQ
Among 209 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -4.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | -4.03% | 42.09M | May 2023 | AAEQ vs BDGS | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | -4.97% | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | AAEQ vs AVIE | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | -5.08% | — | Jul 2025 | AAEQ vs SPXM | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | -5.59% | 402.23M | May 2020 | AAEQ vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | -5.92% | 168.13M | May 2022 | AAEQ vs SELV |
Other ETFs from Alpha Architect
The 10 most viewed Alpha Architect ETFs shown here include BOXX, QMOM, CAOS and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $11B.
Often Compared With AAEQ
Investors most often compare AAEQ with BUFX, BLCR, DMAY. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare AAEQ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare AAEQ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair AAEQ with funds that move differently
Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to AAEQ.
Explore AAEQ Diversifiers