Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) belongs to the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative mutual funds from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VFSAX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VFSAX
VFSAX charges 0.16% annually. There are 3 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund | 0.03% | — | Dec 2009 | VFSAX vs FSTSX | |
| Fidelity SAI International Small Cap Index Fund | 0.10% | — | Jun 2021 | VFSAX vs FSISX | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund... | 0.11% | — | Apr 2009 | VFSAX vs VFSNX | |
| DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio | 0.36% | — | Aug 2008 | VFSAX vs DFVQX | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Institu... | 0.36% | — | Dec 2019 | VFSAX vs AVDVX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VFSAX
VFSAX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 27. There are 32 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 89.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund | 89 | — | Sep 2021 | VFSAX vs HRIOX | |
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund Investor... | 89 | — | Aug 2023 | VFSAX vs HRIIX | |
| Virtus International Small-Cap Fund | 83 | — | Dec 1997 | VFSAX vs ALOIX | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G | 71 | — | Jan 2021 | VFSAX vs AVANX | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Institu... | 69 | — | Dec 2019 | VFSAX vs AVDVX |
Top Performing VFSAX Alternatives (YTD)
VFSAX is at 6.29% YTD. There are 55 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 29.02%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund | 29.02% | — | Sep 2021 | VFSAX vs HRIOX | |
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund Investor... | 28.92% | — | Aug 2023 | VFSAX vs HRIIX | |
| Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio | 22.00% | — | Nov 1993 | VFSAX vs LZISX | |
| Calamos International Small Cap Growth Fund | 20.02% | — | Mar 2022 | VFSAX vs CSGIX | |
| Artisan International Explorer Fund | 19.33% | — | May 2022 | VFSAX vs ARHBX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VFSAX
VFSAX has 14.51% 1-year volatility. There are 44 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund | 11.17% | — | Jun 2014 | VFSAX vs YASLX | |
| MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6 | 12.34% | — | Jun 2012 | VFSAX vs MIDLX | |
| MFS International New Discovery Fund | 12.37% | — | Oct 1997 | VFSAX vs MWNIX | |
| Harding Loevner International Small Companies Port... | 12.50% | — | Mar 2007 | VFSAX vs HLMSX | |
| Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class ... | 12.71% | — | Feb 2012 | VFSAX vs BISMX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VFSAX
VFSAX has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.48%. There are 34 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.51%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artisan International Explorer Fund | -9.51% | — | May 2022 | VFSAX vs ARHBX | |
| WCM International Small Cap Growth Fund | -9.81% | — | Nov 2015 | VFSAX vs WCMSX | |
| Virtus International Small-Cap Fund | -10.07% | — | Dec 1997 | VFSAX vs ALOIX | |
| Invesco Global Opportunities Fund Class A | -10.08% | — | Oct 1990 | VFSAX vs OPGIX | |
| William Blair International Small Cap Growth Fund | -10.09% | — | Oct 2005 | VFSAX vs WISIX |
Other Mutual Funds from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard mutual funds shown here include VTSAX, VFIAX, VTIAX and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
Often Compared With VFSAX
Investors most often compare VFSAX with VFTAX, DFISX, AVDV. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VFSAX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VFSAX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VFSAX with funds that move differently
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VFSAX.
Explore VFSAX Diversifiers