iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) belongs to the Small 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 SMLF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SMLF
SMLF charges 0.15% annually. There are 10 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF | 0.03% | 17.00B | Jul 2013 | SMLF vs SPSM | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 0.03% | 188.20B | Jan 2004 | SMLF vs VB | |
| iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 0.04% | 282.21M | Jun 2004 | SMLF vs ISCB | |
| Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 0.04% | 22.23B | Nov 2009 | SMLF vs SCHA | |
| iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 0.06% | 109.63B | May 2000 | SMLF vs IJR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SMLF
SMLF has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 70. There are 46 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 96 | — | Jun 2025 | SMLF vs RB | |
| First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 94 | 1.37B | May 2007 | SMLF vs FYX | |
| Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF | 92 | 61.48M | Mar 2015 | SMLF vs ROSC | |
| Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF | 92 | 684.65M | Dec 2023 | SMLF vs SFLO | |
| Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF | 91 | 3.05B | Jan 2022 | SMLF vs AVSC |
Top Performing SMLF Alternatives (YTD)
SMLF is at 15.73% YTD. There are 49 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 48.69%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares | 48.69% | 1.35B | Nov 2008 | SMLF vs TNA | |
| Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF | 27.87% | 684.65M | Dec 2023 | SMLF vs SFLO | |
| Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF | 27.66% | 334.88M | Feb 2017 | SMLF vs ISMD | |
| Allspring SMID Core ETF | 27.10% | 78.82M | Jul 2025 | SMLF vs ASCE | |
| First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 25.97% | 1.37B | May 2007 | SMLF vs FYX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SMLF
SMLF has 17.54% 1-year volatility. There are 39 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.55%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 6.55% | — | Jun 2025 | SMLF vs RB | |
| iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF | 9.75% | 288.96M | Sep 2016 | SMLF vs SMMV | |
| Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF | 10.67% | 1.37B | Apr 2019 | SMLF vs RYLD | |
| First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid E... | 10.73% | 35.21M | Apr 2020 | SMLF vs HSMV | |
| CresAlta Small & Mid-Cap ETF | 11.65% | 88.99M | May 2026 | SMLF vs CVSM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SMLF
SMLF has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.71%. There are 21 ETFs in the Small Cap Blend Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -2.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | -2.09% | — | Jun 2025 | SMLF vs RB | |
| Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF | -6.29% | 1.37B | Apr 2019 | SMLF vs RYLD | |
| Hypatia Women CEO ETF | -6.96% | 5.55M | Jan 2023 | SMLF vs WCEO | |
| iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF | -7.02% | 288.96M | Sep 2016 | SMLF vs SMMV | |
| 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF | -7.16% | 106.31M | May 2020 | SMLF vs SIXS |
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 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | SMLF vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | SMLF vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | SMLF vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | SMLF vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | SMLF vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | SMLF vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | SMLF vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | SMLF vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | SMLF vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | SMLF vs ACWI |
Often Compared With SMLF
Investors most often compare SMLF with FSMD, SMLV, VBR. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SMLF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SMLF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SMLF with funds that move differently
iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SMLF.
Explore SMLF Diversifiers