Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) belongs to the Intermediate Core Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VCRB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VCRB
VCRB charges 0.10% annually. There are 7 ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 0.03% | 52.70B | Apr 2007 | VCRB vs BIV | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | 995.29M | Dec 2018 | VCRB vs BBAG | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2044 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | 101.98M | Jun 2024 | VCRB vs IBGA | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2033 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | 463.80M | Jun 2023 | VCRB vs IBTO | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2032 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | 558.40M | Jul 2022 | VCRB vs IBTM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VCRB
VCRB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 27. There are 17 ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 96 | 364.51M | Feb 2024 | VCRB vs USDX | |
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | 91 | 316.83M | Oct 2022 | VCRB vs JUCY | |
| 3EDGE Dynamic Fixed Income ETF | 62 | 236.02M | Oct 2024 | VCRB vs EDGF | |
| State Street My2029 Corporate Bond ETF | 61 | 35.78M | Sep 2024 | VCRB vs MYCI | |
| Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF | 52 | 288.21M | Apr 2018 | VCRB vs HTAB |
Top Performing VCRB Alternatives (YTD)
VCRB is at -0.16% YTD. There are 17 ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 3.73%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | 3.73% | 316.83M | Oct 2022 | VCRB vs JUCY | |
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 2.71% | 364.51M | Feb 2024 | VCRB vs USDX | |
| Defined Duration 5 ETF | 2.46% | — | Nov 2025 | VCRB vs DDV | |
| Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF | 1.16% | 33.20M | Sep 2019 | VCRB vs OVB | |
| 3EDGE Dynamic Fixed Income ETF | 1.02% | 236.02M | Oct 2024 | VCRB vs EDGF |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VCRB
VCRB has 3.47% 1-year volatility. There are 10 ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.82%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3EDGE Dynamic Fixed Income ETF | 1.82% | 236.02M | Oct 2024 | VCRB vs EDGF | |
| State Street My2029 Corporate Bond ETF | 2.04% | 35.78M | Sep 2024 | VCRB vs MYCI | |
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 2.12% | 364.51M | Feb 2024 | VCRB vs USDX | |
| Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF | 2.27% | 43.77M | Dec 2024 | VCRB vs FCBD | |
| ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF | 2.53% | 97.67M | Oct 2020 | VCRB vs PIFI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VCRB
VCRB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.63%. There are 13 ETFs in the Intermediate Core Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3EDGE Dynamic Fixed Income ETF | -0.64% | 236.02M | Oct 2024 | VCRB vs EDGF | |
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | -0.94% | 364.51M | Feb 2024 | VCRB vs USDX | |
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | -0.94% | 316.83M | Oct 2022 | VCRB vs JUCY | |
| BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF | -1.11% | 9.71M | Jul 2023 | VCRB vs USFI | |
| Build Bond Innovation ETF | -1.20% | 10.78M | Feb 2022 | VCRB vs BFIX |
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 | 78 | 11.72% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VCRB vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 78 | 12.18% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VCRB vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 60 | 22.47% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VCRB vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 72 | 13.32% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VCRB vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 37 | 7.33% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VCRB vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.40% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VCRB vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 92 | 14.80% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VCRB vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 24 | -0.30% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VCRB vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 79 | 10.16% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VCRB vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 94 | 16.93% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VCRB vs VTV |
Often Compared With VCRB
Investors most often compare VCRB with VPLS, VCOBX, CGCB. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VCRB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VCRB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VCRB with funds that move differently
Vanguard Core Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VCRB.
Explore VCRB Diversifiers