Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VEA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VEA
VEA charges 0.03% annually. No ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category have lower expense ratios; the lowest-cost alternatives shown here go as low as 0.04%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.07B | Apr 2007 | VEA vs SPDW | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.90B | Mar 2007 | VEA vs VEU | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.31B | Apr 2020 | VEA vs BKIE | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 31.64B | Mar 2017 | VEA vs IDEV | |
| Schwab International Equity ETF | 0.06% | 67.17B | Nov 2009 | VEA vs SCHF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VEA
VEA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 69. There are 61 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 95 | 489.00M | Oct 2024 | VEA vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 93 | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | VEA vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 93 | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | VEA vs IFLO | |
| John Hancock International High Dividend ETF | 92 | 11.32M | Dec 2022 | VEA vs JHID | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 91 | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | VEA vs IDOG |
Top Performing VEA Alternatives (YTD)
VEA is at 16.41% YTD. There are 46 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 38.69%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 38.69% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | VEA vs IPOS | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 32.10% | 190.45M | Sep 2024 | VEA vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 28.92% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | VEA vs IDHQ | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 26.09% | 7.71M | Jun 2025 | VEA vs EPIN | |
| Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF | 25.79% | 292.51M | Jan 2022 | VEA vs UMMA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VEA
VEA has 17.29% 1-year volatility. There are 137 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.75%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 6.75% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | VEA vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 9.04% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | VEA vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 167.77M | Aug 2013 | VEA vs FID | |
| Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF | 10.27% | 2.98M | Nov 2015 | VEA vs MCSE | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.58% | 5.44B | Oct 2011 | VEA vs EFAV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VEA
VEA has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.63%. There are 101 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | -4.60% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | VEA vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | VEA vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | VEA vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | VEA vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | VEA vs IDOG |
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 | VEA vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 72 | 14.27% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VEA vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 27.80% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VEA vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 66 | 15.23% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VEA vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 35 | 9.81% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VEA vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 14.42% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VEA vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 90 | 16.57% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VEA vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 24 | 0.10% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VEA vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 74 | 11.89% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VEA vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 93 | 18.44% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VEA vs VTV |
Often Compared With VEA
Investors most often compare VEA with VWO, IEFA, VGK. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VEA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VEA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VEA with funds that move differently
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VEA.
Explore VEA Diversifiers