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% | 97.12M | Jul 2023 | SMH vs CHPS | |
| Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 0.19% | 2.58B | Jun 2021 | SMH vs SOXQ | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 0.34% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | SMH vs SOXX | |
| SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 0.35% | 2.69B | Jan 2006 | SMH vs XSD | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | 0.35% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | SMH vs SMHX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SMH
SMH has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 87. There are 9 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 98.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X Shares | 98 | 3.86B | Oct 2024 | SMH vs MUU | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 93 | 97.12M | Jul 2023 | SMH vs CHPS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 91 | 1.27B | Sep 2016 | SMH vs FTXL | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 91 | 19.56B | Mar 2010 | SMH vs SOXL | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 90 | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | SMH vs SOXX |
Top Performing SMH Alternatives (YTD)
SMH is at 59.86% YTD. There are 12 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 450.36%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X Shares | 450.36% | 3.86B | Oct 2024 | SMH vs MUU | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 232.86% | 19.56B | Mar 2010 | SMH vs SOXL | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 86.43% | 2.34B | Jun 2005 | SMH vs PSI | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 82.29% | 97.12M | Jul 2023 | SMH vs CHPS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 81.48% | 1.27B | Sep 2016 | SMH vs FTXL |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SMH
SMH has 38.78% 1-year volatility. There are 5 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 18.80%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST MU ETF | 18.80% | 15.91M | Apr 2026 | SMH vs MUYY | |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST TSM ETF | 19.49% | 1.15M | Apr 2026 | SMH vs TMYY | |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF | 24.91% | 74.80M | Nov 2025 | SMH vs SEMY | |
| Columbia Select Technology ETF | 27.77% | 37.44M | Mar 2022 | SMH vs SEMI | |
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | 38.64% | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | SMH vs CHPY |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SMH
SMH has a 1-year max drawdown of -24.62%. There is 1 ETF in the Semiconductors category with a shallower 1-year drawdown, going as shallow as -15.42%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Select Technology ETF | -15.42% | 37.44M | Mar 2022 | SMH vs SEMI | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | -24.93% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | SMH vs SMHX | |
| Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF | -25.20% | 224.59M | Oct 2022 | SMH vs SHOC | |
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | -27.64% | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | SMH vs CHPY | |
| YieldMax Target 12™ Semiconductor Option Income ET... | -28.56% | 64.01M | Dec 2024 | SMH vs SOXY |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include GDX, NLR, GDXJ and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $23B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 31 | -9.15% | 22.65B | May 2006 | SMH vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities, Energy Equities | 11 | -8.31% | 3.81B | Aug 2007 | SMH vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 35 | -10.42% | 6.89B | Nov 2009 | SMH vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 38 | 7.38% | 11.80B | Apr 2012 | SMH vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 32 | -3.25% | 1.90B | Oct 2010 | SMH vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 5 | -3.20% | 1.57B | Feb 2013 | SMH vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -26.57% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | SMH vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.78% | 3.00B | Apr 2011 | SMH vs FLTR | |
| VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | Blockchain, Technology Equities | 15 | 11.55% | 228.65M | Apr 2021 | SMH vs DAPP | |
| VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF | Health & Biotech Equities | 62 | 6.29% | 925.60M | Dec 2011 | SMH vs PPH |
Often Compared With SMH
Investors most often compare SMH with QQQ, VGT, FSELX. These 20 comparison targets span 9 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