Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) belongs to the High Yield Bonds category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VGHY. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VGHY
VGHY charges 0.22% annually. There are 12 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab High Yield Bond ETF | 0.03% | 2.75B | Jul 2023 | VGHY vs SCYB | |
| SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | 0.05% | 11.60B | Jun 2012 | VGHY vs SPHY | |
| Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.08% | 1.70B | Sep 2025 | VGHY vs NHYB | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bon... | 0.15% | 615.72M | Sep 2016 | VGHY vs BBHY | |
| iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 28.59B | Oct 2017 | VGHY vs USHY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VGHY
Among 92 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 96 | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | VGHY vs BSJQ | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 96 | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | VGHY vs SEIX | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 92 | 259.69M | Dec 2013 | VGHY vs HYZD | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 90 | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | VGHY vs BSJR | |
| iShares iBonds 1-5 Year High Yield and Income Ladd... | 90 | 22.57M | Nov 2024 | VGHY vs LDRH |
Top Performing VGHY Alternatives (YTD)
VGHY is at 1.63% YTD. There are 61 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 6.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Asset Debt Strategy ETF | 6.35% | — | Aug 2025 | VGHY vs DADS | |
| Man Active High Yield ETF | 5.89% | 19.82M | Sep 2025 | VGHY vs MHY | |
| VanEck Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 4.23% | 521.46M | May 2012 | VGHY vs HYEM | |
| ProShares High Yield-Interest Rate Hedged | 4.07% | 185.42M | May 2013 | VGHY vs HYHG | |
| iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF | 3.69% | 596.69M | May 2014 | VGHY vs HYGH |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VGHY
VGHY has 4.05% 1-year volatility. There are 77 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.00%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate... | 0.00% | 6.49M | Mar 2015 | VGHY vs ESHY | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 1.30% | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | VGHY vs BSJQ | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 1.63% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | VGHY vs SEIX | |
| State Street My2027 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.73% | 4.98M | Feb 2026 | VGHY vs MYHA | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 1.95% | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | VGHY vs BSJR |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VGHY
Among 92 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.54%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | -0.54% | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | VGHY vs BSJQ | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -0.73% | 507.25M | Jul 2021 | VGHY vs IBHG | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | -1.13% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | VGHY vs SEIX | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | -1.16% | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | VGHY vs BSJR | |
| iShares iBonds 2028 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -1.22% | 457.18M | Mar 2022 | VGHY vs IBHH |
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 | 68 | 10.16% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VGHY vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 67 | 10.49% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VGHY vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 52 | 20.36% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VGHY vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 12.75% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VGHY vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 28 | 5.02% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VGHY vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 70 | 11.15% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VGHY vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 90 | 14.21% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VGHY vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 29 | -0.54% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VGHY vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 75 | 9.71% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VGHY vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 93 | 16.37% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VGHY vs VTV |
Often Compared With VGHY
Investors most often compare VGHY with VWEHX, SCHD, VWEAX. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VGHY with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VGHY with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VGHY with funds that move differently
Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VGHY.
Explore VGHY Diversifiers