Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) belongs to the Global Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with DFAW. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DFAW
DFAW charges 0.25% annually. There are 17 ETFs in the Global Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 0.05% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | DFAW vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 0.06% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | DFAW vs VT | |
| SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF | 0.09% | 1.71B | Feb 2012 | DFAW vs SPGM | |
| Invesco MSCI Global Climate 500 ETF | 0.10% | 1.56B | Jun 2024 | DFAW vs KLMT | |
| SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 0.12% | 190.17M | Nov 2014 | DFAW vs NZAC |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DFAW
DFAW has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 86. There are 16 ETFs in the Global Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | 95 | 711.35M | Dec 2013 | DFAW vs FYLD | |
| Altrius Global Dividend ETF | 94 | 16.88M | Sep 2022 | DFAW vs DIVD | |
| Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF | 94 | 91.25M | Jan 2018 | DFAW vs WLDR | |
| Avantis All Equity Markets Value ETF | 93 | 424.52M | Jun 2023 | DFAW vs AVGV | |
| Tweedy, Browne Insider + Value ETF | 93 | 314.33M | Dec 2024 | DFAW vs COPY |
Top Performing DFAW Alternatives (YTD)
DFAW is at 14.45% YTD. There are 34 ETFs in the Global Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 45.07%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SonicShares Global Shipping ETF | 45.07% | 82.19M | Aug 2021 | DFAW vs BOAT | |
| VistaShares Electrification Supercycle ETF | 34.20% | 65.23M | Oct 2025 | DFAW vs POW | |
| Tema Electrification ETF | 30.27% | 743.97M | Dec 2024 | DFAW vs VOLT | |
| Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF | 29.98% | 91.25M | Jan 2018 | DFAW vs WLDR | |
| Shell plc ADRhedged ETF | 25.94% | 2.63M | Oct 2024 | DFAW vs SHEH |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DFAW
DFAW has 12.88% 1-year volatility. There are 28 ETFs in the Global Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 3.58%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Disaster Recovery Strategy ETF | 3.58% | 223.29M | May 2022 | DFAW vs FIXT | |
| SPDR SSgA Income Allocation ETF | 6.03% | 74.44M | Apr 2012 | DFAW vs INKM | |
| iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF | 8.05% | 3.32B | Oct 2011 | DFAW vs ACWV | |
| iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF | 9.43% | 1.73B | Sep 2025 | DFAW vs BDVL | |
| Invesco International Dividend Achievers™ ETF | 9.76% | 925.89M | Sep 2005 | DFAW vs PID |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DFAW
DFAW has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.88%. There are 21 ETFs in the Global Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -3.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Disaster Recovery Strategy ETF | -3.02% | 223.29M | May 2022 | DFAW vs FIXT | |
| SPDR SSgA Income Allocation ETF | -4.55% | 74.44M | Apr 2012 | DFAW vs INKM | |
| WBI BullBear Yield 3000 ETF | -5.06% | 31.79M | Aug 2014 | DFAW vs WBIG | |
| Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | -5.67% | 711.35M | Dec 2013 | DFAW vs FYLD | |
| Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF | -5.68% | 95.75M | May 2019 | DFAW vs HERD |
Other ETFs from Dimensional
The 10 most viewed Dimensional ETFs shown here include DFUS, DFIV, DFAI and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $48B.
Often Compared With DFAW
Investors most often compare DFAW with AVGE, DGEIX, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DFAW with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DFAW with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DFAW with funds that move differently
Dimensional World Equity ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DFAW.
Explore DFAW Diversifiers