Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE) belongs to the Small 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 ASCE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ASCE
ASCE charges 0.38% annually. There are 28 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 0.03% | 188.20B | Jan 2004 | ASCE vs VB | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF | 0.03% | 17.00B | Jul 2013 | ASCE vs SPSM | |
| Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 0.04% | 22.23B | Nov 2009 | ASCE vs SCHA | |
| iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 0.04% | 282.21M | Jun 2004 | ASCE vs ISCB | |
| iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 0.06% | 109.63B | May 2000 | ASCE vs IJR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ASCE
ASCE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 86. There are 19 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 96 | — | Jun 2025 | ASCE vs RB | |
| First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 95 | 1.37B | May 2007 | ASCE vs FYX | |
| Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF | 94 | 684.65M | Dec 2023 | ASCE vs SFLO | |
| Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF | 94 | 61.48M | Mar 2015 | ASCE vs ROSC | |
| Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF | 94 | 3.05B | Jan 2022 | ASCE vs AVSC |
Top Performing ASCE Alternatives (YTD)
ASCE is at 29.71% YTD. There are 3 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 56.19%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares | 56.19% | 1.35B | Nov 2008 | ASCE vs TNA | |
| Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF | 30.25% | 684.65M | Dec 2023 | ASCE vs SFLO | |
| Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF | 30.08% | 334.88M | Feb 2017 | ASCE vs ISMD | |
| First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 28.12% | 1.37B | May 2007 | ASCE vs FYX | |
| abrdn Focused U.S. Small Cap Active ETF | 27.17% | 9.90M | Jun 2004 | ASCE vs AFSC |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ASCE
ASCE has 19.99% 1-year volatility. There are 67 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.56%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 6.56% | — | Jun 2025 | ASCE vs RB | |
| iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF | 9.73% | 288.96M | Sep 2016 | ASCE vs SMMV | |
| Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF | 10.58% | 1.37B | Apr 2019 | ASCE vs RYLD | |
| First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid E... | 10.73% | 35.21M | Apr 2020 | ASCE vs HSMV | |
| CresAlta Small & Mid-Cap ETF | 11.58% | 88.99M | May 2026 | ASCE vs CVSM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ASCE
ASCE has a 1-year max drawdown of -9.22%. There are 29 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -2.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | -2.09% | — | Jun 2025 | ASCE vs RB | |
| Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF | -6.29% | 1.37B | Apr 2019 | ASCE vs RYLD | |
| Hypatia Women CEO ETF | -6.96% | 5.55M | Jan 2023 | ASCE vs WCEO | |
| iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF | -7.02% | 288.96M | Sep 2016 | ASCE vs SMMV | |
| 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF | -7.16% | 106.31M | May 2020 | ASCE vs SIXS |
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 $423M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allspring Income Plus ETF | Multisector Bonds | 44 | 1.09% | — | Dec 2024 | ASCE vs AINP | |
| Allspring Broad Market Core Bond ETF | Intermediate Core Bond | 24 | -0.22% | — | Dec 2024 | ASCE vs AFIX | |
| Allspring Ultra Short Municipal ETF | Municipal Bonds | 96 | 1.33% | 30.06M | Jul 2025 | ASCE vs AUSM | |
| Allspring Core Plus ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 22 | -0.41% | 422.85M | Dec 2024 | ASCE vs APLU | |
| Allspring Special Large Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 62 | 11.20% | 212.50M | Mar 2025 | ASCE vs ASLV | |
| Allspring LT Large Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 28 | 6.90% | 107.70M | Mar 2025 | ASCE vs AGRW | |
| Allspring LT Large Core ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 74 | 12.78% | 7.06M | Jul 2025 | ASCE vs ALRG |
Often Compared With ASCE
Investors most often compare ASCE with MSSM, PSC, BBSC. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ASCE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ASCE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ASCE with funds that move differently
Allspring SMID Core ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ASCE.
Explore ASCE Diversifiers