Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with DFAE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DFAE
DFAE charges 0.29% annually. There are 13 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 17.31B | Mar 2007 | DFAE vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | DFAE vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | DFAE vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.63B | Jan 2010 | DFAE vs SCHE | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 86.15M | Apr 2020 | DFAE vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DFAE
DFAE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 61. There are 28 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 88 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | DFAE vs GEME | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 88 | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | DFAE vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 87 | — | Sep 2024 | DFAE vs EVLU | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 82 | 102.15M | Jun 2011 | DFAE vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 79 | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | DFAE vs EMXC |
Top Performing DFAE Alternatives (YTD)
DFAE is at 17.88% YTD. There are 28 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 36.43%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 36.43% | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | DFAE vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 30.46% | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | DFAE vs EMXC | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 28.05% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | DFAE vs GEME | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 27.89% | 1.97B | Sep 2015 | DFAE vs XCEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 25.92% | — | Sep 2024 | DFAE vs EVLU |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DFAE
DFAE has 22.33% 1-year volatility. There are 47 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.57%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.57% | — | Jun 2025 | DFAE vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.79% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | DFAE vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.50% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | DFAE vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 16.78M | Jun 2017 | DFAE vs RNEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.79% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | DFAE vs EDIV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DFAE
DFAE has a 1-year max drawdown of -12.80%. There are 35 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.72%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -6.72% | — | Jun 2025 | DFAE vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | DFAE vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.91B | Jul 2007 | DFAE vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 707.60M | May 2008 | DFAE vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | DFAE vs TDEC |
Other ETFs from Dimensional
The 10 most viewed Dimensional ETFs shown here include DFUS, DFIV, DFAW and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $48B.
Often Compared With DFAE
Investors most often compare DFAE with DFEM, AVEM, DFEMX. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DFAE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DFAE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DFAE with funds that move differently
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DFAE.
Explore DFAE Diversifiers