Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) 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 DFAI. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI charges 0.18% annually. There are 21 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 | DFAI vs VEA | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.31B | Apr 2020 | DFAI vs BKIE | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.90B | Mar 2007 | DFAI vs VEU | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.07B | Apr 2007 | DFAI vs SPDW | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 31.64B | Mar 2017 | DFAI vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 77. There are 53 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 95 | 489.00M | Oct 2024 | DFAI vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 95 | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | DFAI vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 93 | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | DFAI vs IFLO | |
| Fidelity International High Dividend ETF | 93 | 325.11M | Jan 2018 | DFAI vs FIDI | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 93 | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | DFAI vs IDOG |
Top Performing DFAI Alternatives (YTD)
DFAI is at 12.47% YTD. There are 88 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 33.98%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 33.98% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | DFAI vs IPOS | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 28.74% | 190.45M | Sep 2024 | DFAI vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 27.25% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | DFAI vs IDHQ | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 23.91% | 7.71M | Jun 2025 | DFAI vs EPIN | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 22.99% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | DFAI vs IFLO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI has 14.65% 1-year volatility. There are 55 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.77%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 6.77% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | DFAI vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 9.04% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | DFAI vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 167.77M | Aug 2013 | DFAI vs FID | |
| Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF | 10.29% | 2.98M | Nov 2015 | DFAI vs MCSE | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.60% | 5.44B | Oct 2011 | DFAI vs EFAV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI has a 1-year max drawdown of -10.95%. There are 69 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 | DFAI vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | DFAI vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | DFAI vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | DFAI vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | DFAI vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from Dimensional
The 10 most viewed Dimensional ETFs shown here include DFUS, DFIV, DFAW and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $48B.
Often Compared With DFAI
Investors most often compare DFAI with VXUS, AVDE, DFAE. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DFAI with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DFAI with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DFAI with funds that move differently
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DFAI.
Explore DFAI Diversifiers