PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) 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 RAFE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to RAFE
RAFE charges 0.30% annually. There are 102 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF | 0.02% | 8.68B | Mar 2019 | RAFE vs BBUS | |
| Global X U.S. 500 ETF | 0.02% | 4.56M | Sep 2025 | RAFE vs GXLC | |
| Schwab 1000 Index ETF | 0.03% | 5.77B | Oct 2017 | RAFE vs SCHK | |
| Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF | 0.03% | 72.77B | Nov 2009 | RAFE vs SCHX | |
| Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | 0.03% | 43.66B | Nov 2009 | RAFE vs SCHB |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to RAFE
RAFE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 89. There are 4 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 | RAFE vs AFOS | |
| Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 94 | 894.46M | Sep 2018 | RAFE vs IUS | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 93 | — | May 2024 | RAFE vs RSSY | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 92 | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | RAFE vs AVIE | |
| Longview Advantage ETF | 88 | 562.31M | Feb 2025 | RAFE vs EBI |
Top Performing RAFE Alternatives (YTD)
RAFE is at 15.70% YTD. There are 31 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 40.20%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztlan North America Nearshoring Stock Selection E... | 40.20% | 33.11M | Nov 2023 | RAFE vs NRSH | |
| Mohr Company Nav ETF | 35.88% | — | Sep 2024 | RAFE vs CNAV | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 31.93% | — | May 2024 | RAFE vs RSSY | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 29.03% | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | RAFE vs AFOS | |
| iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 25.95% | 27.36B | Apr 2013 | RAFE vs MTUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to RAFE
RAFE has 11.34% 1-year volatility. There are 36 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 | RAFE vs BDGS | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 7.68% | — | Jul 2025 | RAFE vs SPXM | |
| iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 8.48% | 23.36B | Oct 2011 | RAFE vs USMV | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | 8.87% | 402.23M | May 2020 | RAFE vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | 9.26% | 168.13M | May 2022 | RAFE vs SELV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to RAFE
RAFE has a 1-year max drawdown of -7.46%. There are 32 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 | RAFE vs BDGS | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | -4.97% | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | RAFE vs AVIE | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | -5.08% | — | Jul 2025 | RAFE vs SPXM | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | -5.59% | 402.23M | May 2020 | RAFE vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | -5.92% | 168.13M | May 2022 | RAFE vs SELV |
Other ETFs from PIMCO
The 10 most viewed PIMCO ETFs shown here include MINT, PYLD, BOND and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $16B.
Often Compared With RAFE
Investors most often compare RAFE with PRF, FNDX, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare RAFE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare RAFE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair RAFE with funds that move differently
PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to RAFE.
Explore RAFE Diversifiers