Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) belongs to the Sustainable category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VCLN. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VCLN
VCLN charges 0.59% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Sustainable category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.12%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 0.12% | 190.17M | Nov 2014 | VCLN vs NZAC | |
| BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF | 0.15% | 1.21B | Apr 2021 | VCLN vs LCTU | |
| Fidelity Sustainability U.S. Equity ETF | 0.59% | 13.14M | Jun 2021 | VCLN vs FSST | |
| Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF | 0.59% | 2.85M | May 2021 | VCLN vs PLDR | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF | 0.61% | 545.27M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASG |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VCLN
VCLN has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 45. There are 3 ETFs in the Sustainable category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 64.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Value ETF | 64 | 216.19M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASV | |
| BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF | 57 | 1.21B | Apr 2021 | VCLN vs LCTU | |
| SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 51 | 190.17M | Nov 2014 | VCLN vs NZAC | |
| Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient... | 33 | 133.68M | Dec 2024 | VCLN vs EFFE | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF | 14 | 545.27M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASG |
Top Performing VCLN Alternatives (YTD)
VCLN is at 8.22% YTD. There are 4 ETFs in the Sustainable category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 21.51%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pictet Cleaner Planet ETF | 21.51% | 16.61M | Oct 2025 | VCLN vs PCLN | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Value ETF | 12.32% | 216.19M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASV | |
| Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient... | 11.61% | 133.68M | Dec 2024 | VCLN vs EFFE | |
| BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF | 8.70% | 1.21B | Apr 2021 | VCLN vs LCTU | |
| SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 7.28% | 190.17M | Nov 2014 | VCLN vs NZAC |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VCLN
VCLN has 31.71% 1-year volatility. There are 6 ETFs in the Sustainable category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF | 13.02% | 1.21B | Apr 2021 | VCLN vs LCTU | |
| SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 14.03% | 190.17M | Nov 2014 | VCLN vs NZAC | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Value ETF | 14.06% | 216.19M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASV | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF | 17.44% | 545.27M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASG | |
| Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient... | 23.94% | 133.68M | Dec 2024 | VCLN vs EFFE |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VCLN
VCLN has a 1-year max drawdown of -26.50%. There are 5 ETFs in the Sustainable category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.38%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF | -9.38% | 1.21B | Apr 2021 | VCLN vs LCTU | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Value ETF | -9.43% | 216.19M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASV | |
| SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | -10.10% | 190.17M | Nov 2014 | VCLN vs NZAC | |
| Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient... | -16.31% | 133.68M | Dec 2024 | VCLN vs EFFE | |
| Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF | -19.30% | 545.27M | Jun 2025 | VCLN vs BASG |
Other ETFs from Virtus
The 10 most viewed Virtus ETFs shown here include PFFA, UTES, SEIX and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | Preferred Stock | 29 | 1.20% | 2.45B | May 2018 | VCLN vs PFFA | |
| Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | Utilities Equities | 7 | -1.07% | 1.33B | Sep 2015 | VCLN vs UTES | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | Bank Loan, High Yield Bonds, Actively Managed | 96 | 2.94% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | VCLN vs SEIX | |
| InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | REIT, Preferred Stock | 23 | 2.67% | 120.46M | Feb 2017 | VCLN vs PFFR | |
| InfraCap MLP ETF | MLPs | 47 | 30.46% | 467.54M | Oct 2014 | VCLN vs AMZA | |
| Virtus Terranova U.S. Quality Momentum ETF | Quality Factor, Momentum, Large Cap Blend Equities | 34 | 8.43% | 240.41M | Nov 2020 | VCLN vs JOET | |
| Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bo... | Emerging Markets Bonds | 89 | 5.65% | 49.68M | Dec 2022 | VCLN vs VEMY | |
| Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF | Health & Biotech Equities | 96 | 26.39% | 47.80M | Dec 2014 | VCLN vs BBC | |
| Virtus Private Credit ETF | Nontraditional Bonds | 1 | -11.53% | 30.31M | Feb 2019 | VCLN vs VPC | |
| Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF | Health & Biotech Equities | 90 | 17.46% | 101.39M | Dec 2014 | VCLN vs BBP |
Often Compared With VCLN
Investors most often compare VCLN with FRNW, DRLL, FXN. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VCLN with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VCLN with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VCLN with funds that move differently
Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VCLN.
Explore VCLN Diversifiers