Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) belongs to the Long-Term Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with BLV. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BLV
BLV charges 0.03% annually. No ETFs in the Long-Term Bond category have lower expense ratios; the lowest-cost alternatives shown here go as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 760.90M | Oct 2019 | BLV vs SCHQ | |
| SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 10.39B | May 2007 | BLV vs SPTL | |
| Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 14.80B | Nov 2009 | BLV vs VGLT | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 20+ Year ... | 0.04% | 31.76M | Apr 2023 | BLV vs BBLB | |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF | 0.05% | 4.30B | Dec 2007 | BLV vs EDV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BLV
BLV has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 20. There are 4 ETFs in the Long-Term Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 35.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/M 10-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 35 | 30.31M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs ZTEN | |
| Bondbloxx BBB Rated 10+ Year Corporate Bond ETF | 24 | 4.76M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs BBBL | |
| iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF | 23 | 626.70M | Dec 2009 | BLV vs ILTB | |
| Bluemonte Long Term Bond ETF | 21 | 154.66M | Jun 2025 | BLV vs BLTD | |
| iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 16 | 11.22B | Jan 2007 | BLV vs TLH |
Top Performing BLV Alternatives (YTD)
BLV is at 1.00% YTD. There are 6 ETFs in the Long-Term Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 2.06%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM Corporate Bond 10+ Year ETF | 2.06% | — | Jul 2025 | BLV vs PCL | |
| Bondbloxx BBB Rated 10+ Year Corporate Bond ETF | 1.71% | 4.76M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs BBBL | |
| iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF | 1.25% | 278.12M | Sep 2020 | BLV vs GOVZ | |
| PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund | 1.19% | 1.40B | Oct 2009 | BLV vs ZROZ | |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF | 1.13% | 4.30B | Dec 2007 | BLV vs EDV |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BLV
BLV has 7.97% 1-year volatility. There are 8 ETFs in the Long-Term Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 4.97%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/M 10-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 4.97% | 30.31M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs ZTEN | |
| Bluemonte Long Term Bond ETF | 6.82% | 154.66M | Jun 2025 | BLV vs BLTD | |
| iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF | 7.72% | 626.70M | Dec 2009 | BLV vs ILTB | |
| Bondbloxx BBB Rated 10+ Year Corporate Bond ETF | 7.77% | 4.76M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs BBBL | |
| iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 7.79% | 11.22B | Jan 2007 | BLV vs TLH |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BLV
BLV has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.73%. There are 4 ETFs in the Long-Term Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -3.32%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/M 10-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | -3.32% | 30.31M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs ZTEN | |
| Bluemonte Long Term Bond ETF | -4.80% | 154.66M | Jun 2025 | BLV vs BLTD | |
| iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF | -5.42% | 626.70M | Dec 2009 | BLV vs ILTB | |
| Bondbloxx BBB Rated 10+ Year Corporate Bond ETF | -5.45% | 4.76M | Jan 2024 | BLV vs BBBL | |
| LifeX 2065 Inflation-Protected Longevity Income ET... | -6.19% | — | Jan 2025 | BLV vs LIBD |
Other ETFs from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard ETFs shown here include VOO, VTI, VGT and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 59 | 8.19% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | BLV vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 59 | 8.82% | 2.30T | May 2001 | BLV vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 23.32% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | BLV vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 55 | 12.51% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | BLV vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 31 | 3.52% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | BLV vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 59 | 10.06% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | BLV vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 75 | 11.51% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | BLV vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 32 | 0.49% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | BLV vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 54 | 6.98% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | BLV vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 84 | 14.47% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | BLV vs VTV |
Often Compared With BLV
Investors most often compare BLV with TLT, BIV, BSV. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BLV with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BLV with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BLV with funds that move differently
Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BLV.
Explore BLV Diversifiers