Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) belongs to the Energy Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VDE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VDE
VDE charges 0.09% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.08% | 38.64B | Dec 1998 | VDE vs XLE | |
| Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF | 0.08% | 1.75B | Oct 2013 | VDE vs FENY | |
| Portfolio Building Block Integrated Oil & Gas and ... | 0.13% | 416.91M | Nov 2025 | VDE vs PBOG | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF | 0.15% | — | Jul 2025 | VDE vs GXPE | |
| BP p.l.c. ADRhedged ETF | 0.19% | 2.19M | Jan 2025 | VDE vs BPH |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VDE
VDE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 70. There are 22 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 94.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 94 | 251.28M | Aug 2015 | VDE vs CRAK | |
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | 91 | 563.46M | Nov 2022 | VDE vs EIPX | |
| Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF | 91 | 61.59M | Oct 2005 | VDE vs PXJ | |
| VanEck Natural Resources ETF | 88 | 301.41M | Aug 2008 | VDE vs HAP | |
| State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Inc... | 87 | 47.69M | Jul 2025 | VDE vs XLEI |
Top Performing VDE Alternatives (YTD)
VDE is at 32.88% YTD. There are 19 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 84.63%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X... | 84.63% | 65.33M | Nov 2021 | VDE vs OILU | |
| Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares | 64.87% | 228.84M | Nov 2008 | VDE vs ERX | |
| Direxion Daily Energy Top 5 Bull 2X ETF | 58.42% | 2.82M | Oct 2025 | VDE vs TEXU | |
| Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF | 47.13% | 61.59M | Oct 2005 | VDE vs PXJ | |
| WEBs Energy XLE Defined Volatility ETF | 46.82% | — | Jul 2025 | VDE vs DVXE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VDE
VDE has 20.89% 1-year volatility. There are 38 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.00%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X Solar ETF | 0.00% | 5.05M | Sep 2021 | VDE vs RAYS | |
| Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF | 10.96% | 6.30M | Nov 2023 | VDE vs BILD | |
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | 11.39% | 563.46M | Nov 2022 | VDE vs EIPX | |
| Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF | 11.58% | 1.31B | Nov 2022 | VDE vs BKGI | |
| TrueShares Eagle Global Next Gen Power Infrastruct... | 11.93% | 5.84M | Dec 2022 | VDE vs PWRZ |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VDE
VDE has a 1-year max drawdown of -15.04%. There are 35 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -5.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | -5.17% | 563.46M | Nov 2022 | VDE vs EIPX | |
| Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | -5.98% | 152.76M | Apr 2024 | VDE vs MDST | |
| Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF | -6.05% | 6.30M | Nov 2023 | VDE vs BILD | |
| Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF | -6.16% | 1.31B | Nov 2022 | VDE vs BKGI | |
| Tortoise Electrification Infrastructure ETF | -6.63% | 129.10M | Dec 2024 | VDE vs TPZ |
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 | 72 | 13.74% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VDE vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 72 | 14.27% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VDE vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 27.80% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VDE vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 66 | 15.23% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VDE vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 35 | 9.81% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VDE vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 14.42% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VDE vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 90 | 16.57% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VDE vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 24 | 0.10% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VDE vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 74 | 11.89% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VDE vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 93 | 18.44% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VDE vs VTV |
Often Compared With VDE
Investors most often compare VDE with IXC, VGENX, XOP. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VDE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VDE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VDE with funds that move differently
Vanguard Energy ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VDE.
Explore VDE Diversifiers