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 20 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% | 317.30B | Jul 2007 | DFAI vs VEA | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.40B | Mar 2007 | DFAI vs VEU | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.01B | Apr 2007 | DFAI vs SPDW | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.28B | Apr 2020 | DFAI vs BKIE | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 30.90B | Mar 2017 | DFAI vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 57. There are 67 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 91 | 471.00M | Oct 2024 | DFAI vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 89 | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | DFAI vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 87 | 185.32M | Jun 2025 | DFAI vs IFLO | |
| JPMorgan International Value ETF | 87 | 3.23B | Sep 2023 | DFAI vs JIVE | |
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 86 | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | DFAI vs CIL |
Top Performing DFAI Alternatives (YTD)
DFAI is at 9.73% YTD. There are 90 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 39.37%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 39.37% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | DFAI vs IPOS | |
| KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index E... | 32.55% | 130.54M | Apr 2019 | DFAI vs KEMX | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 29.79% | 184.51M | Sep 2024 | DFAI vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 23.96% | 919.81M | Jun 2007 | DFAI vs IDHQ | |
| Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF | 23.36% | 292.51M | Jan 2022 | DFAI vs UMMA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI has 14.61% 1-year volatility. There are 53 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 7.43% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | DFAI vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 8.74% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | DFAI vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 159.94M | Aug 2013 | DFAI vs FID | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.70% | 5.14B | Oct 2011 | DFAI vs EFAV | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 10.94% | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | DFAI vs EFAS |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DFAI
DFAI has a 1-year max drawdown of -10.95%. There are 68 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% | 48.95M | 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% | 185.32M | Jun 2025 | DFAI vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 523.46M | 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