iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) Alternatives
iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) belongs to the Intermediate Core Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with GBF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to GBF
GBF charges 0.20% annually. Among ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among GBF alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | Dec 12, 2018 | GBF vs BBAG | |
| Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 0.03% | Apr 3, 2007 | GBF vs BIV | |
| Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 0.03% | Jul 7, 2025 | GBF vs VTG | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2044 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | Jun 11, 2024 | GBF vs IBGA | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2032 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | Jul 6, 2022 | GBF vs IBTM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GBF
Among ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 98 | Feb 28, 2024 | GBF vs USDX | |
| Build Bond Innovation ETF | 89 | Feb 9, 2022 | GBF vs BFIX | |
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | 83 | Oct 31, 2022 | GBF vs JUCY | |
| ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF | 77 | Oct 1, 2020 | GBF vs PIFI | |
| Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF | 76 | Sep 30, 2019 | GBF vs OVB |
Top Performing GBF Alternatives (YTD)
GBF alternatives from the Intermediate Core Bond category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | 1.80% | Oct 31, 2022 | GBF vs JUCY | |
| Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF | 1.53% | Sep 30, 2019 | GBF vs OVB | |
| Build Bond Innovation ETF | 1.25% | Feb 9, 2022 | GBF vs BFIX | |
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 1.14% | Feb 28, 2024 | GBF vs USDX | |
| Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - | 0.33% | Jan 19, 2023 | GBF vs PCRB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GBF
GBF alternatives from the Intermediate Core Bond category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 1.78% | Feb 28, 2024 | GBF vs USDX | |
| ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF | 2.88% | Oct 1, 2020 | GBF vs PIFI | |
| Build Bond Innovation ETF | 3.05% | Feb 9, 2022 | GBF vs BFIX | |
| Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 3.27% | Jul 7, 2025 | GBF vs VGVT | |
| Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 3.58% | Jul 7, 2025 | GBF vs VTG |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GBF
GBF alternatives from the Intermediate Core Bond category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | -0.94% | Feb 28, 2024 | GBF vs USDX | |
| Build Bond Innovation ETF | -1.22% | Feb 9, 2022 | GBF vs BFIX | |
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | -1.56% | Oct 31, 2022 | GBF vs JUCY | |
| ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF | -1.85% | Oct 1, 2020 | GBF vs PIFI | |
| Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - | -2.42% | Jan 19, 2023 | GBF vs PCRB |
Other ETFs from iShares
Most popular iShares ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 0.86% | May 26, 2020 | GBF vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 6 | -22.62% | Jan 5, 2024 | GBF vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 65 | -4.38% | May 15, 2000 | GBF vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 12 | 0.17% | Jul 22, 2002 | GBF vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 69 | 1.57% | Jun 10, 2014 | GBF vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Precious Metals | 89 | 5.77% | Apr 21, 2006 | GBF vs SLV | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 92 | 9.20% | Jul 10, 2001 | GBF vs SOXX | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 87 | 8.61% | Jan 21, 2005 | GBF vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 69 | 0.93% | May 22, 2000 | GBF vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 75 | -2.21% | Mar 26, 2008 | GBF vs ACWI |
Often Compared With GBF
What investors most often compare with GBF, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare GBF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare GBF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.