iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) 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 IWM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IWM
IWM charges 0.19% annually. There are 10 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 | IWM vs ISCB | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF | 0.05% | 15.79B | Jul 2013 | IWM vs SPSM | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 0.05% | 177.40B | Jan 2004 | IWM vs VB | |
| iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 0.06% | 103.49B | May 2000 | IWM vs IJR | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF | 0.09% | 732.58M | Nov 2020 | IWM vs BBSC |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IWM
IWM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 69. There are 12 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF | 88 | 18.47M | Oct 2022 | IWM vs QQQS | |
| First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 83 | 1.27B | May 2007 | IWM vs FYX | |
| Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF | 82 | 5.00B | Dec 2007 | IWM vs FESM | |
| JPMorgan Fundamental Data Science Small Core ETF | 79 | 8.82M | Aug 2024 | IWM vs SCDS | |
| iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 78 | 1.44B | Aug 2005 | IWM vs IWC |
Top Performing IWM Alternatives (YTD)
IWM is at 18.69% YTD. There are 10 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 29.47%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF | 29.47% | 18.47M | Oct 2022 | IWM vs QQQS | |
| JPMorgan Fundamental Data Science Small Core ETF | 23.60% | 8.82M | Aug 2024 | IWM vs SCDS | |
| Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF | 23.54% | 318.37M | Feb 2017 | IWM vs ISMD | |
| Allspring SMID Core ETF | 22.72% | 33.92M | Jul 2025 | IWM vs ASCE | |
| iShares Micro-Cap ETF | 21.51% | 1.44B | Aug 2005 | IWM vs IWC |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IWM
IWM has 19.14% 1-year volatility. There are 58 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 | IWM vs RB | |
| First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid E... | 10.37% | 31.42M | Apr 2020 | IWM vs HSMV | |
| OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF | 13.16% | 876.85M | Dec 2016 | IWM vs OUSM | |
| 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF | 13.24% | 106.31M | May 2020 | IWM vs SIXS | |
| Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF | 13.35% | 685.56M | Jul 2018 | IWM vs OSCV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IWM
IWM has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.03%. There are 46 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 | IWM vs CALF | |
| Hypatia Women CEO ETF | -6.96% | 5.55M | Jan 2023 | IWM vs WCEO | |
| 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF | -7.16% | 106.31M | May 2020 | IWM vs SIXS | |
| VictoryShares US Small Cap High Dividend Volatilit... | -7.18% | 260.47M | Jul 2015 | IWM vs CSB | |
| Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF | -7.55% | 685.56M | Jul 2018 | IWM vs OSCV |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 13 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 | 1.50% | 91.90B | May 2020 | IWM vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -23.36% | 58.12B | Jan 2024 | IWM vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 75 | 11.70% | 854.92B | May 2000 | IWM vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 16 | 0.13% | 42.90B | Jul 2002 | IWM vs TLT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 97 | 101.03% | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | IWM vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 76 | 9.06% | 40.46B | Jun 2014 | IWM vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 52 | 5.54% | 36.82B | Apr 2006 | IWM vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 34 | 4.00% | 69.92B | Jan 2005 | IWM vs IAU | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 13.06% | 32.93B | Mar 2008 | IWM vs ACWI | |
| iShares U.S. Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 79 | 30.23% | 25.22B | May 2000 | IWM vs IYW |
Often Compared With IWM
Investors most often compare IWM with SPY, VTWO, AVUV. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IWM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IWM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IWM with funds that move differently
iShares Russell 2000 ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IWM.
Explore IWM Diversifiers