iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) 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 IEFA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IEFA
IEFA charges 0.07% annually. There are 6 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 | IEFA vs VEA | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.90B | Mar 2007 | IEFA vs VEU | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.31B | Apr 2020 | IEFA vs BKIE | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.07B | Apr 2007 | IEFA vs SPDW | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 31.64B | Mar 2017 | IEFA vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IEFA
IEFA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 67. There are 89 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 95 | 489.00M | Oct 2024 | IEFA vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 95 | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | IEFA vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 93 | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | IEFA vs IFLO | |
| Fidelity International High Dividend ETF | 93 | 325.11M | Jan 2018 | IEFA vs FIDI | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 93 | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | IEFA vs IDOG |
Top Performing IEFA Alternatives (YTD)
IEFA is at 12.10% YTD. There are 99 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 33.98%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 33.98% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | IEFA vs IPOS | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 28.74% | 190.45M | Sep 2024 | IEFA vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 27.25% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | IEFA vs IDHQ | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 23.91% | 7.71M | Jun 2025 | IEFA vs EPIN | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 22.99% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | IEFA vs IFLO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IEFA
IEFA has 15.68% 1-year volatility. There are 87 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.77%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 6.77% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | IEFA vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 9.04% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | IEFA vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 167.77M | Aug 2013 | IEFA vs FID | |
| Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF | 10.29% | 2.98M | Nov 2015 | IEFA vs MCSE | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.60% | 5.44B | Oct 2011 | IEFA vs EFAV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IEFA
IEFA has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.50%. There are 94 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 | IEFA vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | IEFA vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | IEFA vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | IEFA vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | IEFA 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 | 2.13% | 99.95B | May 2020 | IEFA vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.17% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | IEFA vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 68.76% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | IEFA vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 78 | 11.75% | 869.20B | May 2000 | IEFA vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 92 | 13.79% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | IEFA vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 7 | -3.18% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | IEFA vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 35 | -18.57% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | IEFA vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -6.14% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | IEFA vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 85 | 20.84% | 80.11B | May 2000 | IEFA vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.35% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | IEFA vs ACWI |
Often Compared With IEFA
Investors most often compare IEFA with VXUS, EFA, FSPSX. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IEFA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IEFA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IEFA with funds that move differently
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IEFA.
Explore IEFA Diversifiers