ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with SMTH. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SMTH
SMTH charges 0.59% annually. There are 47 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 117.00M | Dec 2025 | SMTH vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 42.27B | Jun 2014 | SMTH vs IUSB | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 278.83M | Nov 2016 | SMTH vs IMTB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 720.18M | Jun 2020 | SMTH vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | SMTH vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SMTH
SMTH has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 39. There are 22 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 88 | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | SMTH vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 87 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | SMTH vs BNDS | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 63 | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SMTH vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 63 | — | Mar 2025 | SMTH vs CFIT | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 55 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SMTH vs SJCP |
Top Performing SMTH Alternatives (YTD)
SMTH is at 0.58% YTD. There are 30 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 5.42%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 5.42% | — | Mar 2025 | SMTH vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.60% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | SMTH vs BNDS | |
| Monarch Ambassador Income ETF | 1.59% | 188.06M | Mar 2021 | SMTH vs MAMB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.50% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | SMTH vs BYLD | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.50% | 178.17M | Aug 2022 | SMTH vs BNDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SMTH
SMTH has 3.81% 1-year volatility. There are 30 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.58%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.58% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | SMTH vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.52% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SMTH vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.77% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SMTH vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.10% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | SMTH vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.25% | 719.37M | Mar 2022 | SMTH vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SMTH
SMTH has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.74%. There are 23 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | SMTH vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | SMTH vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SMTH vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | SMTH vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SMTH vs MBS |
Other ETFs from ALPS
The 6 most viewed ALPS ETFs shown here include REIT, ELFY, CCNR and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $369M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALPS Active REIT ETF | REIT | 39 | 17.16% | 53.36M | Feb 2021 | SMTH vs REIT | |
| ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF | Utilities Equities | 76 | 26.69% | 204.46M | Apr 2025 | SMTH vs ELFY | |
| ALPS/CoreCommodity Natural Resources ETF | Natural Resources | 86 | 15.27% | 369.26M | Jul 2024 | SMTH vs CCNR | |
| ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 74 | 1.74% | 55.20M | May 2022 | SMTH vs MNBD | |
| Level Four Large Cap Growth Active ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 33 | 2.74% | 131.21M | Aug 2023 | SMTH vs LGRO | |
| ALPS O'Shares International Developed Quality Divi... | International Equity, Dividend | — | 2.38% | 34.99M | Aug 2015 | SMTH vs OEFA |
Often Compared With SMTH
Investors most often compare SMTH with ALIBX, UBND, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SMTH with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SMTH with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SMTH with funds that move differently
ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SMTH.
Explore SMTH Diversifiers