Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (VEM) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VEM
VEM charges 0.49% annually. There are 35 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 17.41B | Mar 2007 | VEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | VEM vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | VEM vs VWO | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 85.82M | Apr 2020 | VEM vs BKEM | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.58B | Jan 2010 | VEM vs SCHE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VEM
Among 74 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 90.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | VEM vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 89 | — | Sep 2024 | VEM vs EVLU | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 89 | 263.36M | Dec 2007 | VEM vs PIE | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 87 | 104.58M | Jun 2011 | VEM vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 86 | 24.62B | Jul 2017 | VEM vs EMXC |
Top Performing VEM Alternatives (YTD)
Among 77 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 38.56%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 38.56% | 263.36M | Dec 2007 | VEM vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 35.62% | 24.62B | Jul 2017 | VEM vs EMXC | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 31.91% | 2.06B | Sep 2015 | VEM vs XCEM | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 31.09% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | VEM vs GEME | |
| Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 29.89% | 23.23M | Feb 2012 | VEM vs EEMO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VEM
VEM has 30.97% 1-year volatility. There are 74 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.17% | — | Jun 2025 | VEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.68% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | VEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.40% | 7.03M | Jan 2016 | VEM vs EMDV | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.74% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | VEM vs EDIV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.90% | 16.40M | Jun 2017 | VEM vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VEM
Among 74 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -5.56%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -5.56% | — | Jun 2025 | VEM vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.03M | Jan 2016 | VEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.90B | Jul 2007 | VEM vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 732.89M | May 2008 | VEM vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | VEM vs TDEC |
Other ETFs from Virtus
The 10 most viewed Virtus ETFs shown here include SEIX, VEMY, NFLT and span 11 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $439M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | Bank Loan | 95 | 2.55% | 250.40M | Apr 2019 | VEM vs SEIX | |
| Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bo... | Emerging Markets Bonds | 93 | 6.50% | 32.97M | Dec 2022 | VEM vs VEMY | |
| Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 67 | 1.95% | 438.69M | Aug 2015 | VEM vs NFLT | |
| Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF | Short-Term Bond | 94 | 1.45% | 12.77M | Nov 2023 | VEM vs SDCP | |
| Virtus AlphaSimplex Global Macro ETF | Tactical Allocation | — | 17.07% | — | Aug 2025 | VEM vs ASGM | |
| Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.38% | — | Dec 2024 | VEM vs PCLO | |
| Virtus AlphaSimplex Managed Futures ETF | Systematic Trend | 45 | 7.14% | 30.79M | May 2024 | VEM vs ASMF | |
| Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF | High Yield Bonds | 79 | 2.65% | 31.00M | Dec 2016 | VEM vs VSHY | |
| Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities, Dividend | — | 19.53% | 17.69M | Dec 2025 | VEM vs VUS | |
| Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF | Mid Cap Growth Equities | 8 | 2.89% | 47.19M | Oct 2024 | VEM vs KMID |
Compare VEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VEM with funds that move differently
Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VEM.
Explore VEM Diversifiers