Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (VMBS) Alternatives
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (VMBS) belongs to the Mortgage Backed Securities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VMBS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to VMBS
VMBS charges 0.04% annually. Among ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among VMBS alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Mortgage Backed Bond ETF | 0.04% | Jan 15, 2009 | VMBS vs SPMB | |
| iShares MBS Bond ETF | 0.06% | Mar 16, 2007 | VMBS vs MBB | |
| iShares GNMA Bond ETF | 0.15% | Feb 14, 2012 | VMBS vs GNMA | |
| FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | 0.20% | Sep 4, 2014 | VMBS vs MBSD | |
| JPMorgan Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 0.24% | Aug 18, 2000 | VMBS vs JMTG |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VMBS
Among ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | 97 | Nov 4, 2013 | VMBS vs FTSD | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | 93 | Nov 4, 2014 | VMBS vs LMBS | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 92 | Feb 9, 2021 | VMBS vs VABS | |
| iShares CMBS ETF | 74 | Feb 14, 2012 | VMBS vs CMBS | |
| PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-T... | 68 | Jul 31, 1997 | VMBS vs PMBS |
Top Performing VMBS Alternatives (YTD)
VMBS alternatives from the Mortgage Backed Securities category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 0.75% | Feb 9, 2021 | VMBS vs VABS | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | 0.66% | Nov 4, 2014 | VMBS vs LMBS | |
| PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-T... | 0.61% | Jul 31, 1997 | VMBS vs PMBS | |
| JPMorgan Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 0.59% | Aug 18, 2000 | VMBS vs JMTG | |
| SPDR Portfolio Mortgage Backed Bond ETF | 0.51% | Jan 15, 2009 | VMBS vs SPMB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VMBS
VMBS alternatives from the Mortgage Backed Securities category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | 1.97% | Nov 4, 2013 | VMBS vs FTSD | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 2.23% | Feb 9, 2021 | VMBS vs VABS | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | 2.57% | Nov 4, 2014 | VMBS vs LMBS | |
| Eaton Vance Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 2.79% | Aug 4, 2025 | VMBS vs EVMO | |
| iShares Securitized Income Active ETF | 3.68% | Jan 26, 2026 | VMBS vs SECU |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VMBS
VMBS alternatives from the Mortgage Backed Securities category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | -0.93% | Nov 4, 2013 | VMBS vs FTSD | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | -1.05% | Feb 9, 2021 | VMBS vs VABS | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | -1.72% | Nov 4, 2014 | VMBS vs LMBS | |
| FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | -2.22% | Sep 4, 2014 | VMBS vs MBSD | |
| iShares CMBS ETF | -2.44% | Feb 14, 2012 | VMBS vs CMBS |
Other ETFs from Vanguard
Most popular Vanguard ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 65 | -4.42% | Sep 7, 2010 | VMBS vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 65 | -4.01% | Jun 27, 2016 | VMBS vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 67 | -7.34% | Mar 25, 2004 | VMBS vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 86 | 2.32% | Jan 26, 2011 | VMBS vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 50 | -10.37% | Nov 13, 2000 | VMBS vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 77 | -1.71% | Jun 24, 2008 | VMBS vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 72 | 3.80% | Feb 7, 2019 | VMBS vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 59 | 0.05% | Apr 3, 2007 | VMBS vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 55 | -1.77% | Dec 19, 2013 | VMBS vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 67 | 3.30% | Jan 26, 2004 | VMBS vs VTV |
Often Compared With VMBS
What investors most often compare with VMBS, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VMBS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VMBS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.