iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) belongs to the Small Cap Growth Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with ESML. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ESML
ESML charges 0.17% annually. There are 8 ETFs in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.04%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF | 0.04% | 87.32M | Apr 2020 | ESML vs BKSE | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.05% | 47.00B | Jan 2004 | ESML vs VBK | |
| iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.06% | 970.87M | Jun 2004 | ESML vs ISCG | |
| Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF | 0.06% | 1.80B | Sep 2010 | ESML vs VTWG | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF | 0.07% | 2.03B | Apr 2020 | ESML vs BBMC |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ESML
ESML has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 79. There are 9 ETFs in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF | 91 | 29.88M | May 2023 | ESML vs CAFG | |
| First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 90 | 1.30B | Apr 2011 | ESML vs FYC | |
| JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ... | 87 | 591.21M | Nov 2016 | ESML vs JPSE | |
| BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF | 83 | 87.32M | Apr 2020 | ESML vs BKSE | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF | 83 | 137.81M | Mar 2006 | ESML vs RZG |
Top Performing ESML Alternatives (YTD)
ESML is at 17.35% YTD. There are 13 ETFs in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 32.10%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF | 32.10% | 29.88M | May 2023 | ESML vs CAFG | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF | 26.29% | 137.81M | Mar 2006 | ESML vs RZG | |
| First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 23.54% | 1.30B | Apr 2011 | ESML vs FYC | |
| SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF | 22.81% | 5.09B | Sep 2000 | ESML vs SLYG | |
| Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF | 22.73% | 1.10B | Sep 2010 | ESML vs VIOG |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ESML
ESML has 17.16% 1-year volatility. There are 6 ETFs in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.20%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensional U.S. Small Cap Growth ETF | 14.20% | 1.96B | May 2026 | ESML vs DUSG | |
| Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF | 15.05% | 51.84M | Apr 2017 | ESML vs FLQS | |
| First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF | 15.17% | 30.91M | Jun 2017 | ESML vs FSGS | |
| JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ... | 15.76% | 591.21M | Nov 2016 | ESML vs JPSE | |
| John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF | 16.07% | 724.18M | Nov 2017 | ESML vs JHSC |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ESML
ESML has a 1-year max drawdown of -9.04%. There are 5 ETFs in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -8.00%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ... | -8.00% | 591.21M | Nov 2016 | ESML vs JPSE | |
| Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF | -8.13% | 29.88M | May 2023 | ESML vs CAFG | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Growth ETF | -8.63% | 137.81M | Mar 2006 | ESML vs RZG | |
| Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF | -9.00% | 51.84M | Apr 2017 | ESML vs FLQS | |
| Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF | -9.03% | 1.10B | Sep 2010 | ESML vs VIOG |
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 | ESML vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | ESML vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | ESML vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | ESML vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | ESML vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | ESML vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | ESML vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | ESML vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | ESML vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | ESML vs ACWI |
Often Compared With ESML
Investors most often compare ESML with XJR, FNDA, CWS. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ESML with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ESML with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ESML with funds that move differently
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ESML.
Explore ESML Diversifiers