iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with ACWX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ACWX
ACWX charges 0.32% annually. There are 64 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 0.03% | 316.30B | Jul 2007 | ACWX vs VEA | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.07B | Apr 2007 | ACWX vs SPDW | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.31B | Apr 2020 | ACWX vs BKIE | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.90B | Mar 2007 | ACWX vs VEU | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 31.64B | Mar 2017 | ACWX vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ACWX
ACWX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 72. There are 74 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 96 | 489.00M | Oct 2024 | ACWX vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 94 | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | ACWX vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 94 | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | ACWX vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 93 | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | ACWX vs IDOG | |
| Fidelity International High Dividend ETF | 93 | 325.11M | Jan 2018 | ACWX vs FIDI |
Top Performing ACWX Alternatives (YTD)
ACWX is at 13.36% YTD. There are 68 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 32.73%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 32.73% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | ACWX vs IPOS | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 27.96% | 190.45M | Sep 2024 | ACWX vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 26.27% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | ACWX vs IDHQ | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 23.34% | 7.71M | Jun 2025 | ACWX vs EPIN | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 22.59% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | ACWX vs IFLO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ACWX
ACWX has 17.30% 1-year volatility. There are 138 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.80%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 6.80% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | ACWX vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 9.04% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | ACWX vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.17% | 167.77M | Aug 2013 | ACWX vs FID | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.67% | 5.44B | Oct 2011 | ACWX vs EFAV | |
| Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF | 10.71% | 2.98M | Nov 2015 | ACWX vs MCSE |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ACWX
ACWX has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.42%. There are 86 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | -4.60% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | ACWX vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | ACWX vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | ACWX vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | ACWX vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | ACWX vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | ACWX vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | ACWX vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | ACWX vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | ACWX vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | ACWX vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | ACWX vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | ACWX vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | ACWX vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | ACWX vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | ACWX vs ACWI |
Often Compared With ACWX
Investors most often compare ACWX with SPY, VXUS, IXUS. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ACWX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ACWX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ACWX with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ACWX.
Explore ACWX Diversifiers