iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) belongs to the Quality Factor category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with QUAL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to QUAL
QUAL charges 0.15% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Quality Factor category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.12%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF | 0.12% | 8.22B | Nov 2017 | QUAL vs JQUA | |
| Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF | 0.13% | 473.70M | Feb 2018 | QUAL vs VFQY | |
| Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF | 0.15% | 19.45B | Dec 2005 | QUAL vs SPHQ | |
| iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF | 0.15% | 2.63B | Jan 2020 | QUAL vs GARP | |
| Avantis U.S. Quality ETF | 0.15% | 286.69M | Mar 2025 | QUAL vs AVUQ |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to QUAL
QUAL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 78. There are 16 ETFs in the Quality Factor category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable ... | 91 | 76.03M | Apr 2018 | QUAL vs QARP | |
| Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF | 90 | 29.20M | Jul 2017 | QUAL vs SQLV | |
| SRH U.S. Quality ETF | 90 | 170.62M | Oct 2022 | QUAL vs SRHQ | |
| Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF | 90 | 173.80M | Dec 2023 | QUAL vs GQI | |
| Astoria US Equal Weight Quality Kings ETF | 90 | 164.26M | Jul 2023 | QUAL vs ROE |
Top Performing QUAL Alternatives (YTD)
QUAL is at 12.08% YTD. There are 34 ETFs in the Quality Factor category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 27.25%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 27.25% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | QUAL vs IDHQ | |
| Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF | 26.53% | 29.20M | Jul 2017 | QUAL vs SQLV | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF | 25.30% | 11.86M | Sep 2024 | QUAL vs EQLT | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Quality Dividend Growt... | 24.33% | 141.38M | Aug 2013 | QUAL vs DGRE | |
| WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth F... | 23.92% | 405.81M | Jul 2013 | QUAL vs DGRS |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to QUAL
QUAL has 12.33% 1-year volatility. There are 18 ETFs in the Quality Factor category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.88%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 7.88% | 163.65M | Jul 2019 | QUAL vs QLV | |
| FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 9.84% | 545.84M | Dec 2012 | QUAL vs QDEF | |
| Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF | 9.93% | 173.80M | Dec 2023 | QUAL vs GQI | |
| OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF | 10.25% | 747.95M | Jul 2015 | QUAL vs OUSA | |
| WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund | 10.47% | 16.52B | May 2013 | QUAL vs DGRW |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to QUAL
QUAL has a 1-year max drawdown of -9.03%. There are 21 ETFs in the Quality Factor category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.19%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | -6.19% | 163.65M | Jul 2019 | QUAL vs QLV | |
| SRH U.S. Quality ETF | -6.31% | 170.62M | Oct 2022 | QUAL vs SRHQ | |
| Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF | -6.92% | 34.97M | Dec 2024 | QUAL vs QIDX | |
| FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | -6.95% | 545.84M | Dec 2012 | QUAL vs QDEF | |
| Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF | -6.96% | 173.80M | Dec 2023 | QUAL vs GQI |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.13% | 99.95B | May 2020 | QUAL vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.17% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | QUAL vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 68.76% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | QUAL vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 78 | 11.75% | 869.20B | May 2000 | QUAL vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 92 | 13.79% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | QUAL vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 7 | -3.18% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | QUAL vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 35 | -18.57% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | QUAL vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -6.14% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | QUAL vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 85 | 20.84% | 80.11B | May 2000 | QUAL vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.35% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | QUAL vs ACWI |
Often Compared With QUAL
Investors most often compare QUAL with SPY, MTUM, USMV. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare QUAL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare QUAL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair QUAL with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to QUAL.
Explore QUAL Diversifiers