iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) belongs to the Small Cap Blend Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with IJR. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IJR
IJR charges 0.06% annually. There are 3 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.04%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 0.04% | 275.08M | Jun 2004 | IJR vs ISCB | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 0.05% | 177.40B | Jan 2004 | IJR vs VB | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF | 0.05% | 15.79B | Jul 2013 | IJR vs SPSM | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF | 0.09% | 732.58M | Nov 2020 | IJR vs BBSC | |
| Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF | 0.10% | 5.80B | Sep 2010 | IJR vs VIOO |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IJR
IJR has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 58. There are 23 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 85.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF | 85 | 18.47M | Oct 2022 | IJR vs QQQS | |
| JPMorgan Fundamental Data Science Small Core ETF | 79 | 8.82M | Aug 2024 | IJR vs SCDS | |
| First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 79 | 1.27B | May 2007 | IJR vs FYX | |
| Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF | 76 | 5.00B | Dec 2007 | IJR vs FESM | |
| U.S. Small Cap Equity Active ETF | 73 | — | May 2025 | IJR vs RUSC |
Top Performing IJR Alternatives (YTD)
IJR is at 15.38% YTD. There are 20 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 27.27%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF | 27.27% | 18.47M | Oct 2022 | IJR vs QQQS | |
| JPMorgan Fundamental Data Science Small Core ETF | 23.60% | 8.82M | Aug 2024 | IJR vs SCDS | |
| Allspring SMID Core ETF | 22.72% | 33.92M | Jul 2025 | IJR vs ASCE | |
| Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF | 21.54% | 318.37M | Feb 2017 | IJR vs ISMD | |
| Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF | 19.64% | 5.00B | Dec 2007 | IJR vs FESM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IJR
IJR has 17.54% 1-year volatility. There are 38 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.21%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 6.21% | — | Jun 2025 | IJR vs RB | |
| First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid E... | 10.37% | 31.42M | Apr 2020 | IJR vs HSMV | |
| OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF | 13.15% | 876.85M | Dec 2016 | IJR vs OUSM | |
| 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF | 13.24% | 106.31M | May 2020 | IJR vs SIXS | |
| Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF | 13.37% | 685.56M | Jul 2018 | IJR vs OSCV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IJR
IJR has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.68%. There are 16 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF | -6.15% | 3.51B | Jun 2017 | IJR vs CALF | |
| Hypatia Women CEO ETF | -6.96% | 5.55M | Jan 2023 | IJR vs WCEO | |
| 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF | -7.16% | 106.31M | May 2020 | IJR vs SIXS | |
| VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatilit... | -7.18% | 260.47M | Jul 2015 | IJR vs CSB | |
| Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF | -7.55% | 685.56M | Jul 2018 | IJR vs OSCV |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $855B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.51% | 91.90B | May 2020 | IJR vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -25.48% | 58.12B | Jan 2024 | IJR vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 70 | 10.85% | 854.92B | May 2000 | IJR vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 16 | -0.27% | 42.90B | Jul 2002 | IJR vs TLT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 97 | 104.57% | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | IJR vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 71 | 8.76% | 40.46B | Jun 2014 | IJR vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 47 | 2.78% | 36.82B | Apr 2006 | IJR vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 32 | 2.98% | 69.92B | Jan 2005 | IJR vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 62 | 17.07% | 80.93B | May 2000 | IJR vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 66 | 12.13% | 32.93B | Mar 2008 | IJR vs ACWI |
Often Compared With IJR
Investors most often compare IJR with AVUV, IJS, IJH. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IJR with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IJR with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IJR with funds that move differently
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IJR.
Explore IJR Diversifiers