Nelson Select ETF (NELS) belongs to the Large 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 NELS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to NELS
NELS charges 1.69% annually. There are 251 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X U.S. 500 ETF | 0.02% | 4.56M | Sep 2025 | NELS vs GXLC | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF | 0.02% | 8.68B | Mar 2019 | NELS vs BBUS | |
| Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF | 0.03% | 2.01B | Jun 2016 | NELS vs USPX | |
| Schwab 1000 Index ETF | 0.03% | 5.77B | Oct 2017 | NELS vs SCHK | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 13.65B | Oct 2000 | NELS vs SPTM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to NELS
Among 209 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 95 | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | NELS vs AFOS | |
| Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 93 | 894.46M | Sep 2018 | NELS vs IUS | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 93 | — | May 2024 | NELS vs RSSY | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 90 | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | NELS vs AVIE | |
| PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 88 | 160.47M | Dec 2019 | NELS vs RAFE |
Top Performing NELS Alternatives (YTD)
NELS is at 12.19% YTD. There are 80 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 42.93%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztlan North America Nearshoring Stock Selection E... | 42.93% | 33.11M | Nov 2023 | NELS vs NRSH | |
| Mohr Company Nav ETF | 41.21% | — | Sep 2024 | NELS vs CNAV | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 32.86% | — | May 2024 | NELS vs RSSY | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 31.41% | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | NELS vs AFOS | |
| iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 28.81% | 27.36B | Apr 2013 | NELS vs MTUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to NELS
NELS has 14.40% 1-year volatility. There are 188 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | 6.35% | 42.09M | May 2023 | NELS vs BDGS | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 7.68% | — | Jul 2025 | NELS vs SPXM | |
| iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 8.51% | 23.36B | Oct 2011 | NELS vs USMV | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | 8.92% | 402.23M | May 2020 | NELS vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | 9.25% | 168.13M | May 2022 | NELS vs SELV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to NELS
Among 209 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -4.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | -4.03% | 42.09M | May 2023 | NELS vs BDGS | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | -4.97% | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | NELS vs AVIE | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | -5.08% | — | Jul 2025 | NELS vs SPXM | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | -5.59% | 402.23M | May 2020 | NELS vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | -5.92% | 168.13M | May 2022 | NELS vs SELV |
Often Compared With NELS
Investors most often compare NELS with FTIF, DJUN, BUFH. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare NELS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare NELS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair NELS with funds that move differently
Nelson Select ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to NELS.
Explore NELS Diversifiers