Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) belongs to the Small Cap Value Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VBR. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VBR
VBR charges 0.05% annually. No ETFs in the Small Cap Value Equities category have lower expense ratios; the lowest-cost alternatives shown here go as low as 0.06%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF | 0.06% | 681.63M | Jun 2004 | VBR vs ISCV | |
| Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF | 0.06% | 1.30B | Sep 2010 | VBR vs VTWV | |
| Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF | 0.10% | 1.90B | Sep 2010 | VBR vs VIOV | |
| SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF | 0.15% | 4.83B | Sep 2000 | VBR vs SLYV | |
| iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF | 0.20% | 199.04M | Oct 2020 | VBR vs SVAL |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VBR
VBR has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 59. There are 24 ETFs in the Small Cap Value Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 84.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF | 84 | 1.73B | Oct 2017 | VBR vs USVM | |
| iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF | 83 | 14.27B | Jul 2000 | VBR vs IWN | |
| EA Bridgeway Omni Small-Cap Value ETF | 82 | 1.71B | Dec 2010 | VBR vs BSVO | |
| Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF | 82 | 6.11M | May 2025 | VBR vs EPSV | |
| Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF | 82 | 1.30B | Sep 2010 | VBR vs VTWV |
Top Performing VBR Alternatives (YTD)
VBR is at 15.34% YTD. There are 31 ETFs in the Small Cap Value Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 27.82%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF | 27.82% | 6.11M | May 2025 | VBR vs EPSV | |
| Towle Value ETF | 25.62% | 181.60M | Jul 2025 | VBR vs TCV | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap 600® Pure Value ETF | 25.27% | 281.21M | Mar 2006 | VBR vs RZV | |
| EA Bridgeway Omni Small-Cap Value ETF | 24.64% | 1.71B | Dec 2010 | VBR vs BSVO | |
| First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 24.08% | 185.07M | Apr 2011 | VBR vs FYT |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VBR
VBR has 15.11% 1-year volatility. There are 6 ETFs in the Small Cap Value Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.95%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF | 11.95% | 1.13B | Aug 2021 | VBR vs SMIG | |
| Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF | 14.50% | 161.61M | Oct 2023 | VBR vs BSMC | |
| EA Series Trust - Euclidean Fundamental Value ETF | 14.50% | 136.73M | May 2023 | VBR vs ECML | |
| VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF | 14.83% | 1.73B | Oct 2017 | VBR vs USVM | |
| iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Fa... | 14.83% | 316.20M | Mar 2021 | VBR vs ISVL |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VBR
VBR has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.85%. There are 12 ETFs in the Small Cap Value Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF | -6.15% | 3.55B | Jun 2017 | VBR vs CALF | |
| EA Series Trust - Euclidean Fundamental Value ETF | -7.01% | 136.73M | May 2023 | VBR vs ECML | |
| Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF | -7.13% | 3.13M | Dec 2023 | VBR vs SMCF | |
| Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF | -7.95% | 28.73B | Sep 2019 | VBR vs AVUV | |
| EA Bridgeway Omni Small-Cap Value ETF | -8.31% | 1.71B | Dec 2010 | VBR vs BSVO |
Other ETFs from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard ETFs shown here include VOO, VTI, VGT and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.45% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VBR vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 66 | 10.96% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VBR vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 57 | 22.94% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VBR vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 56 | 11.67% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VBR vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 32 | 6.19% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VBR vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 11.12% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VBR vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 83 | 13.44% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VBR vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 32 | -0.17% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VBR vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 66 | 9.40% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VBR vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 90 | 16.06% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VBR vs VTV |
Often Compared With VBR
Investors most often compare VBR with VB, VBK, VSIAX. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VBR with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VBR with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VBR with funds that move differently
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VBR.
Explore VBR Diversifiers