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 253 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF | 0.03% | 1.95B | Jun 2016 | NELS vs USPX | |
| iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 93.42B | Jan 2004 | NELS vs ITOT | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 13.61B | Oct 2000 | NELS vs SPTM | |
| Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | 0.03% | 43.31B | Nov 2009 | NELS vs SCHB | |
| Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF | 0.03% | 72.63B | Nov 2009 | NELS vs SCHX |
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 93.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 93 | — | May 2024 | NELS vs RSSY | |
| Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 90 | 860.84M | Sep 2018 | NELS vs IUS | |
| Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF | 85 | 47.28M | Dec 2020 | NELS vs PSCX | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 85 | 10.47M | Sep 2022 | NELS vs AVIE | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June | 85 | 320.45M | Jun 2020 | NELS vs DJUN |
Top Performing NELS Alternatives (YTD)
NELS is at 9.49% YTD. There are 62 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 39.61%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztlan North America Nearshoring Stock Selection E... | 39.61% | 20.80M | Nov 2023 | NELS vs NRSH | |
| Mohr Company Nav ETF | 34.15% | — | Sep 2024 | NELS vs CNAV | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 30.78% | — | May 2024 | NELS vs RSSY | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 26.02% | 194.17M | Jun 2025 | NELS vs AFOS | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity E... | 22.76% | 5.55M | Mar 2023 | NELS vs FTIF |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to NELS
NELS has 14.80% 1-year volatility. There are 204 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 2.38%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF | 2.38% | — | Jun 2025 | NELS vs BUFH | |
| FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF | 4.02% | — | Jun 2025 | NELS vs BUFX | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - June | 4.36% | 78.22M | Jun 2019 | NELS vs UJUN | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May | 4.89% | 354.49M | May 2020 | NELS vs DMAY | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June | 4.98% | 320.45M | Jun 2020 | NELS vs DJUN |
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 -2.84%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - June | -2.84% | 78.22M | Jun 2019 | NELS vs UJUN | |
| Calvert US Select Equity ETF | -3.08% | 25.16M | Jan 2023 | NELS vs CVSE | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June | -3.15% | 320.45M | Jun 2020 | NELS vs DJUN | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May | -3.36% | 354.49M | May 2020 | NELS vs DMAY | |
| Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF | -3.44% | 8.98M | Jan 2016 | NELS vs DFND |
Often Compared With NELS
Investors most often compare NELS with QDVO, BDGS, BLCR. These 9 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify CWP Growth & Income ETF | Derivative Income | 56 | 7.10% | 730.61M | Aug 2024 | NELS vs QDVO | |
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 75 | 4.84% | 42.09M | May 2023 | NELS vs BDGS | |
| Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 82 | 15.03% | 6.04B | Oct 2023 | NELS vs BLCR | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 64 | 8.72% | 2.20T | May 2001 | NELS vs VTI | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May | Large Cap Blend Equities | 80 | 3.87% | 1.22B | May 2020 | NELS vs FMAY | |
| Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - ... | Defined Outcome, Large Cap Blend Equities | — | 4.28% | — | Jun 2025 | NELS vs DDTL | |
| iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | Momentum, Large Cap Blend Equities | 54 | 22.55% | 26.66B | Apr 2013 | NELS vs MTUM | |
| Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 90 | 13.43% | 25.47B | Aug 2013 | NELS vs FNDX | |
| Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 89 | 13.46% | 1.32B | Aug 2013 | NELS vs FNDB |
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