iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with EZA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to EZA
EZA charges 0.59% annually. There are 47 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 17.31B | Mar 2007 | EZA vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | EZA vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | EZA vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.63B | Jan 2010 | EZA vs SCHE | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 86.15M | Apr 2020 | EZA vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to EZA
EZA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 28. There are 57 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 86.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 86 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | EZA vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 85 | — | Sep 2024 | EZA vs EVLU | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 85 | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | EZA vs PIE | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | 78 | 213.27M | May 2019 | EZA vs ECOW | |
| Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF | 77 | 109.30M | Feb 2015 | EZA vs ROAM |
Top Performing EZA Alternatives (YTD)
EZA is at -6.51% YTD. There are 69 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 35.77%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 35.77% | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | EZA vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 28.41% | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | EZA vs EMXC | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 28.13% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | EZA vs GEME | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 26.23% | 1.97B | Sep 2015 | EZA vs XCEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 25.81% | — | Sep 2024 | EZA vs EVLU |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to EZA
EZA has 32.21% 1-year volatility. There are 77 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.79%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.79% | — | Jun 2025 | EZA vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.80% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | EZA vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.52% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | EZA vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.50% | 16.78M | Jun 2017 | EZA vs RNEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.81% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | EZA vs EDIV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to EZA
EZA has a 1-year max drawdown of -23.31%. There are 72 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -7.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -7.02% | — | Jun 2025 | EZA vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | EZA vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.91B | Jul 2007 | EZA vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 707.60M | May 2008 | EZA vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | EZA vs TDEC |
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 $894B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.95% | 97.69B | May 2020 | EZA vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -26.71% | 46.82B | Jan 2024 | EZA vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 91 | 76.35% | 47.60B | Jul 2001 | EZA vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.73% | 894.38B | May 2000 | EZA vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 88 | 12.80% | 42.05B | Jun 2014 | EZA vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 15 | -1.19% | 42.18B | Jul 2002 | EZA vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 26 | -21.78% | 28.37B | Apr 2006 | EZA vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 21 | -7.85% | 60.94B | Jan 2005 | EZA vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 72 | 20.58% | 83.34B | May 2000 | EZA vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 11.23% | 33.36B | Mar 2008 | EZA vs ACWI |
Often Compared With EZA
Investors most often compare EZA with AFK, KSA, SPY. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare EZA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare EZA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair EZA with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to EZA.
Explore EZA Diversifiers