VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) belongs to the Semiconductors category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with SMH. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SMH
SMH charges 0.35% annually. There are 3 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 0.15% | 89.58M | Jul 2023 | SMH vs CHPS | |
| Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 0.19% | 2.41B | Jun 2021 | SMH vs SOXQ | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 0.34% | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | SMH vs SOXX | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | 0.35% | 271.12M | Aug 2024 | SMH vs SMHX | |
| SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 0.35% | 3.45B | Jan 2006 | SMH vs XSD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SMH
SMH has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 96. There are 7 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 97.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 97 | 22.99B | Mar 2010 | SMH vs SOXL | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 97 | 89.58M | Jul 2023 | SMH vs CHPS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 97 | 2.52B | Sep 2016 | SMH vs FTXL | |
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | 97 | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | SMH vs CHPY | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 97 | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | SMH vs SOXX |
Top Performing SMH Alternatives (YTD)
SMH is at 77.13% YTD. There are 11 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 567.48%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 567.48% | 22.99B | Mar 2010 | SMH vs SOXL | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 115.70% | 2.52B | Sep 2016 | SMH vs FTXL | |
| ProShares Ultra Semiconductors | 114.00% | 3.05B | Jan 2007 | SMH vs USD | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 107.97% | 89.58M | Jul 2023 | SMH vs CHPS | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 107.72% | 2.64B | Jun 2005 | SMH vs PSI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SMH
SMH has 30.56% 1-year volatility. There are 3 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 22.13%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Select Technology ETF | 22.13% | 36.59M | Mar 2022 | SMH vs SEMI | |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF | 26.31% | 109.49M | Nov 2025 | SMH vs SEMY | |
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | 27.59% | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | SMH vs CHPY | |
| Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF | 31.53% | 246.07M | Oct 2022 | SMH vs SHOC | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | 32.69% | 271.12M | Aug 2024 | SMH vs SMHX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SMH
SMH has a 1-year max drawdown of -14.93%. There are 4 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -12.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | -12.17% | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | SMH vs CHPY | |
| Columbia Select Technology ETF | -14.41% | 36.59M | Mar 2022 | SMH vs SEMI | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | -14.51% | 2.52B | Sep 2016 | SMH vs FTXL | |
| Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF | -14.59% | 246.07M | Oct 2022 | SMH vs SHOC | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | -15.48% | 2.64B | Jun 2005 | SMH vs PSI |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include GDX, NLR, GDXJ and span 11 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $27B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 35 | -0.90% | 27.13B | May 2006 | SMH vs GDX | |
| VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF | Alternative Energy Equities | 25 | 6.14% | 4.87B | Aug 2007 | SMH vs NLR | |
| VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF | Materials | 35 | -2.55% | 8.65B | Nov 2009 | SMH vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 27 | -0.94% | 11.84B | Apr 2012 | SMH vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF | Materials | 87 | 33.01% | 3.01B | Oct 2010 | SMH vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 3 | -8.99% | 1.57B | Feb 2013 | SMH vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -25.27% | 1.22B | Jan 2024 | SMH vs HODL | |
| VanEck Vectors Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds | 99 | 1.91% | 2.75B | Apr 2011 | SMH vs FLTR | |
| VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | Technology Equities, Blockchain | 25 | 33.03% | 499.52M | Apr 2021 | SMH vs DAPP | |
| VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF | Health & Biotech Equities | 29 | -0.76% | 941.75M | Dec 2011 | SMH vs PPH |
Often Compared With SMH
Investors most often compare SMH with QQQ, VGT, FSELX. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SMH with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SMH with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SMH with funds that move differently
VanEck Semiconductor ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SMH.
Explore SMH Diversifiers