First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) belongs to the Technology Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FAI. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FAI
FAI charges 0.65% annually. There are 105 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 0.08% | 21.38B | Oct 2013 | FAI vs FTEC | |
| State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.08% | 130.33B | Dec 1998 | FAI vs XLK | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 0.09% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | FAI vs VGT | |
| Vaneck Technology Trusector ETF | 0.13% | 160.81M | Aug 2025 | FAI vs TRUT | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Information Technology ETF | 0.15% | — | Jul 2025 | FAI vs GXPT |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FAI
FAI has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 64. There are 50 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 96 | 115.48M | Jul 2023 | FAI vs CHPS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 96 | 2.89B | Sep 2016 | FAI vs FTXL | |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 96 | 574.75M | Dec 2024 | FAI vs AIS | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 96 | 2.92B | Jun 2005 | FAI vs PSI | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 95 | 46.67B | Jul 2001 | FAI vs SOXX |
Top Performing FAI Alternatives (YTD)
FAI is at 27.58% YTD. There are 58 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 187.72%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STMicroelectronics NV ADRhedged | 187.72% | 7.89M | Mar 2025 | FAI vs STHH | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 116.16% | 2.92B | Jun 2005 | FAI vs PSI | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductors Top 5 Bull 2X Shares | 113.38% | 17.13M | Sep 2025 | FAI vs TSXU | |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 113.37% | 574.75M | Dec 2024 | FAI vs AIS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 111.02% | 2.89B | Sep 2016 | FAI vs FTXL |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FAI
FAI has 27.43% 1-year volatility. There are 88 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.55%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | 13.55% | 128.06M | Nov 2023 | FAI vs CRTC | |
| Clockwise Core Equity & Innovation ETF | 13.98% | 19.49M | Jan 2022 | FAI vs TIME | |
| Global X AgTech & Food Innovation ETF | 16.19% | 9.03M | Jul 2021 | FAI vs KROP | |
| Goldman Sachs ETF Trust Goldman Sachs Innovate Equ... | 16.57% | 205.59M | Nov 2020 | FAI vs GINN | |
| iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | 17.32% | 3.95B | Mar 2015 | FAI vs XT |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FAI
FAI has a 1-year max drawdown of -18.84%. There are 77 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estat... | -9.02% | 452.26M | Jul 2001 | FAI vs IDGT | |
| Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | -9.05% | 128.06M | Nov 2023 | FAI vs CRTC | |
| Gabelli Global Technology Leaders ETF | -9.20% | 7.50M | Jan 2022 | FAI vs GGTL | |
| ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Aristocrats ETF | -9.55% | 285.24M | Nov 2019 | FAI vs TDV | |
| iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | -10.45% | 3.95B | Mar 2015 | FAI vs XT |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With FAI
Investors most often compare FAI with PBJ, AIBD, SMH. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FAI with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FAI with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FAI with funds that move differently
First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FAI.
Explore FAI Diversifiers