Allspring Core Plus ETF (APLU) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with APLU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to APLU
APLU charges 0.31% annually. There are 11 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 128.00M | Dec 2025 | APLU vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 274.69M | Nov 2016 | APLU vs IMTB | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 43.00B | Jun 2014 | APLU vs IUSB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 709.92M | Jun 2020 | APLU vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 447.20M | Apr 2014 | APLU vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to APLU
APLU has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 22. There are 46 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 88 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | APLU vs BNDS | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 85 | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | APLU vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 60 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | APLU vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 59 | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | APLU vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 54 | — | Mar 2025 | APLU vs CFIT |
Top Performing APLU Alternatives (YTD)
APLU is at -0.41% YTD. There are 39 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.43%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 4.43% | — | Mar 2025 | APLU vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.31% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | APLU vs BNDS | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 1.18% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | APLU vs SJCP | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.03% | 185.58M | Aug 2022 | APLU vs BNDI | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 0.93% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | APLU vs ZHOG |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to APLU
APLU has 3.99% 1-year volatility. There are 45 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.60% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | APLU vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.47% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | APLU vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.74% | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | APLU vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.07% | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | APLU vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.15% | 735.65M | Mar 2022 | APLU vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to APLU
APLU has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.84%. There are 31 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | APLU vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | APLU vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | APLU vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | APLU vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | APLU vs MBS |
Other ETFs from Allspring
The 7 most viewed Allspring ETFs shown here include AINP, AFIX, AUSM and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $213M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allspring Income Plus ETF | Multisector Bonds | 44 | 1.09% | — | Dec 2024 | APLU vs AINP | |
| Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF | Intermediate Core Bond | 24 | -0.22% | — | Dec 2024 | APLU vs AFIX | |
| Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF | Municipal Bonds | 96 | 1.33% | 30.06M | Jul 2025 | APLU vs AUSM | |
| Allspring SMID Core ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 86 | 29.71% | 78.82M | Jul 2025 | APLU vs ASCE | |
| Allspring Special Large Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 62 | 11.20% | 212.50M | Mar 2025 | APLU vs ASLV | |
| Allspring LT Large Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 28 | 6.90% | 107.70M | Mar 2025 | APLU vs AGRW | |
| Allspring LT Large Core ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 74 | 12.78% | 7.06M | Jul 2025 | APLU vs ALRG |
Often Compared With APLU
Investors most often compare APLU with MAMB, UGA, BNO. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare APLU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare APLU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair APLU with funds that move differently
Allspring Core Plus ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to APLU.
Explore APLU Diversifiers