iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) 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 EFA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to EFA
EFA charges 0.32% annually. There are 64 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 | EFA vs VEA | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.07B | Apr 2007 | EFA vs SPDW | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.31B | Apr 2020 | EFA vs BKIE | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.90B | Mar 2007 | EFA vs VEU | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 31.64B | Mar 2017 | EFA vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to EFA
EFA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 68. There are 93 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 96 | 489.00M | Oct 2024 | EFA vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 94 | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | EFA vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 94 | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | EFA vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 93 | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | EFA vs IDOG | |
| Fidelity International High Dividend ETF | 93 | 325.11M | Jan 2018 | EFA vs FIDI |
Top Performing EFA Alternatives (YTD)
EFA is at 11.69% YTD. There are 104 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 32.73%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 32.73% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | EFA vs IPOS | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 27.96% | 190.45M | Sep 2024 | EFA vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 26.27% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | EFA vs IDHQ | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 23.34% | 7.71M | Jun 2025 | EFA vs EPIN | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 22.59% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | EFA vs IFLO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to EFA
EFA has 15.79% 1-year volatility. There are 88 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.80%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 6.80% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | EFA vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 9.04% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | EFA vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.17% | 167.77M | Aug 2013 | EFA vs FID | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.67% | 5.44B | Oct 2011 | EFA vs EFAV | |
| Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF | 10.71% | 2.98M | Nov 2015 | EFA vs MCSE |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to EFA
EFA has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.42%. There are 86 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 | EFA vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | EFA vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | EFA vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | EFA vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | EFA vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | EFA vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | EFA vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | EFA vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | EFA vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | EFA vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | EFA vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | EFA vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | EFA vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | EFA vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | EFA vs ACWI |
Often Compared With EFA
Investors most often compare EFA with IEFA, EFG, XEF.TO. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare EFA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare EFA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair EFA with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to EFA.
Explore EFA Diversifiers