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% | 36.33B | 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% | 408.55M | Nov 2025 | VDE vs PBOG | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF | 0.15% | — | Jul 2025 | VDE vs GXPE | |
| Shell plc ADRhedged ETF | 0.19% | 2.63M | Oct 2024 | VDE vs SHEH |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VDE
VDE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 56. There are 28 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 91 | 164.75M | Aug 2015 | VDE vs CRAK | |
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | 91 | 540.66M | Nov 2022 | VDE vs EIPX | |
| Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ET... | 89 | 7.18M | May 2025 | VDE vs USNG | |
| Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF | 89 | 65.49M | Oct 2005 | VDE vs PXJ | |
| SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF | 86 | 382.22M | Jun 2006 | VDE vs XES |
Top Performing VDE Alternatives (YTD)
VDE is at 28.19% YTD. There are 18 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 42.16%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF | 42.16% | 65.49M | Oct 2005 | VDE vs PXJ | |
| VistaShares Electrification Supercycle ETF | 40.86% | 64.26M | Oct 2025 | VDE vs POW | |
| WEBs Energy XLE Defined Volatility ETF | 40.61% | — | Jul 2025 | VDE vs DVXE | |
| VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 40.35% | 164.75M | Aug 2015 | VDE vs CRAK | |
| SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF | 38.79% | 382.22M | Jun 2006 | VDE vs XES |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VDE
VDE has 20.89% 1-year volatility. There are 33 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 10.98%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF | 10.98% | 6.30M | Nov 2023 | VDE vs BILD | |
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | 11.47% | 540.66M | Nov 2022 | VDE vs EIPX | |
| Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF | 11.74% | 1.14B | Nov 2022 | VDE vs BKGI | |
| TrueShares Eagle Global Next Gen Power Infrastruct... | 11.81% | 5.89M | Dec 2022 | VDE vs PWRZ | |
| Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | 12.81% | 152.76M | Apr 2024 | VDE vs MDST |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VDE
VDE has a 1-year max drawdown of -15.04%. There are 29 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% | 540.66M | Nov 2022 | VDE vs EIPX | |
| Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF | -6.05% | 6.30M | Nov 2023 | VDE vs BILD | |
| Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF | -6.16% | 1.14B | Nov 2022 | VDE vs BKGI | |
| Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | -6.74% | 152.76M | Apr 2024 | VDE vs MDST | |
| Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ET... | -6.82% | 7.18M | May 2025 | VDE vs USNG |
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 | 70 | 11.30% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VDE vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 70 | 11.75% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VDE vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 57 | 23.92% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VDE vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 62 | 13.28% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VDE vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 34 | 8.17% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VDE vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 68 | 12.17% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VDE vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 85 | 12.90% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VDE vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 39 | 0.27% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VDE vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 67 | 8.88% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VDE vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 91 | 15.07% | 245.00B | 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