Voya Core Bond ETF (VCOB) belongs to the Actively Managed category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VCOB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VCOB
VCOB charges 0.25% annually. There are 18 ETFs in the Actively Managed category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LionShares U.S. Equity Total Return ETF | 0.07% | 6.49M | Sep 2025 | VCOB vs TOT | |
| VanEck Industrials TruSector ETF | 0.10% | 261.34K | Jun 2026 | VCOB vs TRUI | |
| VanEck Financials TruSector ETF | 0.10% | 587.41K | Apr 2026 | VCOB vs TRUF | |
| Northern Trust 2035 Inflation-Linked Distributing ... | 0.10% | 7.83M | Aug 2025 | VCOB vs TIPB | |
| VanEck Consumer Staples TruSector ETF | 0.14% | 253.67K | Jun 2026 | VCOB vs TRUO |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VCOB
Among 73 ETFs in the Actively Managed category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF | 96 | 56.31M | Jun 2025 | VCOB vs ABI | |
| Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF | 96 | 447.61M | Dec 2009 | VCOB vs CLSE | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 96 | 248.93M | Apr 2019 | VCOB vs SEIX | |
| Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | 93 | 15.39B | Dec 1998 | VCOB vs DFUV | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 92 | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | VCOB vs AFOS |
Top Performing VCOB Alternatives (YTD)
VCOB is at -2.21% YTD. There are 76 ETFs in the Actively Managed category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 51.12%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF | 51.12% | 69.23M | May 2024 | VCOB vs USOY | |
| ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF | 29.44% | 1.73B | Oct 2014 | VCOB vs ARKG | |
| Towle Value ETF | 27.04% | 181.60M | Jul 2025 | VCOB vs TCV | |
| VistaShares Electrification Supercycle ETF | 22.51% | 65.23M | Oct 2025 | VCOB vs POW | |
| Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF | 22.28% | 447.61M | Dec 2009 | VCOB vs CLSE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VCOB
VCOB has 3.82% 1-year volatility. There are 19 ETFs in the Actively Managed category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin BSP CLO ETF | 0.43% | 50.33M | Jun 2026 | VCOB vs YCLO | |
| Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond ETF | 0.87% | — | Mar 2026 | VCOB vs SCUB | |
| VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF | 1.27% | 56.31M | Jun 2025 | VCOB vs ABI | |
| Reckoner Yield Enhanced AAA CLO Annual ETF | 1.29% | 15.01M | Feb 2026 | VCOB vs RAAY | |
| Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond ETF | 1.60% | — | Mar 2026 | VCOB vs SCSB |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VCOB
Among 74 ETFs in the Actively Managed category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.95%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF | -0.95% | 56.31M | Jun 2025 | VCOB vs ABI | |
| BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF | -1.11% | 9.71M | Jul 2023 | VCOB vs USFI | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | -1.13% | 248.93M | Apr 2019 | VCOB vs SEIX | |
| TCW Flexible Income ETF | -1.46% | 3.37B | Nov 2018 | VCOB vs FLXR | |
| Bluemonte Short Term Bond ETF | -1.69% | 168.20M | Jun 2025 | VCOB vs BLST |
Other ETFs from Voya
The 2 most viewed Voya ETFs shown here include VMSB, VUSI and span 2 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $111M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voya Multi-Sector Income ETF | Multisector Bonds | — | 1.17% | 108.68M | Dec 2025 | VCOB vs VMSB | |
| Voya Ultra Short Income ETF | Ultrashort Bond | — | 0.08% | 111.44M | Nov 2025 | VCOB vs VUSI |
Often Compared With VCOB
Investors most often compare VCOB with STRN, RAAR, BLTD. These 15 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VCOB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VCOB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VCOB with funds that move differently
Voya Core Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VCOB.
Explore VCOB Diversifiers