Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS) belongs to the Multisector Bonds category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VGMS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VGMS
VGMS charges 0.30% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Multisector Bonds category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.20%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF | 0.20% | 385.96M | Nov 2023 | VGMS vs SOFR | |
| Columbia Diversified Fixed Income Allocation ETF | 0.29% | 447.63M | Oct 2017 | VGMS vs DIAL | |
| American Century Multisector Income ETF | 0.36% | 216.87M | Jun 2021 | VGMS vs MUSI | |
| Allspring Income Plus ETF | 0.36% | — | Dec 2024 | VGMS vs AINP | |
| T. Rowe Price Multi-Sector Income ETF | 0.37% | 28.89M | Nov 2025 | VGMS vs TMSF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VGMS
VGMS has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 66. There are 15 ETFs in the Multisector Bonds category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 98.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF | 98 | 385.96M | Nov 2023 | VGMS vs SOFR | |
| Palmer Square Credit Opportunities ETF | 96 | 101.21M | Sep 2024 | VGMS vs PSQO | |
| Obra High Grade Structured Products ETF | 96 | 29.65M | Apr 2024 | VGMS vs OGSP | |
| Angel Oak Income ETF | 93 | 1.03B | Nov 2022 | VGMS vs CARY | |
| JPMorgan Income ETF | 93 | 9.52B | Oct 2021 | VGMS vs JPIE |
Top Performing VGMS Alternatives (YTD)
VGMS is at 1.48% YTD. There are 23 ETFs in the Multisector Bonds category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.19%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man Active Income ETF | 4.19% | 20.24M | Sep 2025 | VGMS vs MANI | |
| Bluemonte Diversified Income ETF | 3.65% | 100.93M | Jun 2025 | VGMS vs BLUI | |
| VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF | 2.85% | 56.45M | Jun 2025 | VGMS vs ABI | |
| Obra Opportunistic Structured Products ETF | 2.66% | 36.96M | Apr 2024 | VGMS vs OOSP | |
| TCW Multisector Credit Income ETF | 2.59% | 50.94M | Nov 2024 | VGMS vs MUSE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VGMS
VGMS has 3.27% 1-year volatility. There are 24 ETFs in the Multisector Bonds category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.84%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF | 0.84% | 385.96M | Nov 2023 | VGMS vs SOFR | |
| VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF | 1.27% | 56.45M | Jun 2025 | VGMS vs ABI | |
| Palmer Square Credit Opportunities ETF | 1.54% | 101.21M | Sep 2024 | VGMS vs PSQO | |
| JPMorgan Income ETF | 1.61% | 9.52B | Oct 2021 | VGMS vs JPIE | |
| Obra High Grade Structured Products ETF | 1.69% | 29.65M | Apr 2024 | VGMS vs OGSP |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VGMS
VGMS has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.46%. There are 18 ETFs in the Multisector Bonds category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.41%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF | -0.41% | 385.96M | Nov 2023 | VGMS vs SOFR | |
| Obra High Grade Structured Products ETF | -0.50% | 29.65M | Apr 2024 | VGMS vs OGSP | |
| Palmer Square Credit Opportunities ETF | -0.66% | 101.21M | Sep 2024 | VGMS vs PSQO | |
| JPMorgan Income ETF | -1.15% | 9.52B | Oct 2021 | VGMS vs JPIE | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | -1.19% | — | Jul 2023 | VGMS vs PSDM |
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 | 59 | 8.19% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VGMS vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 59 | 8.82% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VGMS vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 23.32% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VGMS vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 55 | 12.51% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VGMS vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 31 | 3.52% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VGMS vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 59 | 10.06% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VGMS vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 75 | 11.51% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VGMS vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 32 | 0.49% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VGMS vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 54 | 6.98% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VGMS vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 84 | 14.47% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VGMS vs VTV |
Often Compared With VGMS
Investors most often compare VGMS with BINC, VPLS, PYLD. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VGMS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VGMS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VGMS with funds that move differently
Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VGMS.
Explore VGMS Diversifiers