FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) 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 QLC. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to QLC
QLC charges 0.25% annually. There are 78 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 | QLC vs GXLC | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF | 0.02% | 8.68B | Mar 2019 | QLC vs BBUS | |
| Schwab 1000 Index ETF | 0.03% | 5.77B | Oct 2017 | QLC vs SCHK | |
| Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF | 0.03% | 2.01B | Jun 2016 | QLC vs USPX | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 13.65B | Oct 2000 | QLC vs SPTM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to QLC
QLC has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 85. There are 8 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 95 | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | QLC vs AFOS | |
| Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 94 | 894.46M | Sep 2018 | QLC vs IUS | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 94 | — | May 2024 | QLC vs RSSY | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 92 | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | QLC vs AVIE | |
| PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 89 | 160.47M | Dec 2019 | QLC vs RAFE |
Top Performing QLC Alternatives (YTD)
QLC is at 13.18% YTD. There are 55 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 40.74%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztlan North America Nearshoring Stock Selection E... | 40.74% | 33.11M | Nov 2023 | QLC vs NRSH | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 33.91% | — | May 2024 | QLC vs RSSY | |
| Mohr Company Nav ETF | 33.78% | — | Sep 2024 | QLC vs CNAV | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 29.85% | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | QLC vs AFOS | |
| iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 25.16% | 27.36B | Apr 2013 | QLC vs MTUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to QLC
QLC has 12.98% 1-year volatility. There are 127 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.37%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | 6.37% | 42.09M | May 2023 | QLC vs BDGS | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 7.66% | — | Jul 2025 | QLC vs SPXM | |
| iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 8.55% | 23.36B | Oct 2011 | QLC vs USMV | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | 8.88% | 402.23M | May 2020 | QLC vs SIXA | |
| Liberty One Spectrum ETF | 9.24% | 4.85M | Sep 2025 | QLC vs SPCT |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to QLC
QLC has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.84%. There are 73 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | -4.03% | 42.09M | May 2023 | QLC vs BDGS | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | -4.97% | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | QLC vs AVIE | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | -5.08% | — | Jul 2025 | QLC vs SPXM | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | -5.59% | 402.23M | May 2020 | QLC vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | -5.92% | 168.13M | May 2022 | QLC vs SELV |
Other ETFs from Northern Trust
The 10 most viewed Northern Trust ETFs shown here include GUNR, ESG, HYGV and span 9 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $7B.
Often Compared With QLC
Investors most often compare QLC with VOO, SPHQ, QQQM. These 19 comparison targets span 14 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare QLC with Any Fund or Stock
Compare QLC with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair QLC with funds that move differently
FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to QLC.
Explore QLC Diversifiers