Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) belongs to the REIT category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VNQ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VNQ
VNQ charges 0.13% annually. There are 6 ETFs in the REIT category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab US REIT ETF | 0.07% | 10.00B | Jan 2011 | VNQ vs SCHH | |
| iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 0.08% | 4.21B | May 2007 | VNQ vs USRT | |
| Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF | 0.08% | 1.44B | Feb 2015 | VNQ vs FREL | |
| Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF | 0.10% | 1.01B | Oct 2013 | VNQ vs HAUZ | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders MSCI US REIT ETF | 0.11% | 1.23B | Jun 2018 | VNQ vs BBRE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VNQ
VNQ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 24. There are 37 ETFs in the REIT category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 89.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | 89 | 2.37B | Oct 2020 | VNQ vs DTCR | |
| Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | 73 | 18.24M | Feb 2019 | VNQ vs VRAI | |
| Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF | 51 | 300.62M | Dec 2010 | VNQ vs KBWY | |
| WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF | 49 | 16.73M | Jun 2007 | VNQ vs WTRE | |
| SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF | 47 | 1.81B | Apr 2001 | VNQ vs RWR |
Top Performing VNQ Alternatives (YTD)
VNQ is at 10.80% YTD. There are 38 ETFs in the REIT category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 47.11%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | 47.11% | 2.37B | Oct 2020 | VNQ vs DTCR | |
| Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3x Shares | 29.50% | 44.98M | Jul 2009 | VNQ vs DRN | |
| Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF | 23.12% | 300.62M | Dec 2010 | VNQ vs KBWY | |
| ProShares Ultra Real Estate | 20.03% | 55.33M | Jan 2007 | VNQ vs URE | |
| Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | 19.57% | 18.24M | Feb 2019 | VNQ vs VRAI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VNQ
VNQ has 13.79% 1-year volatility. There are 30 ETFs in the REIT category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.85%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | 7.85% | 118.19M | Feb 2017 | VNQ vs PFFR | |
| NEOS Real Estate High Income ETF | 10.74% | 279.42M | Jan 2025 | VNQ vs IYRI | |
| IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF | 10.80% | 6.52M | May 2023 | VNQ vs IQRA | |
| State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Premiu... | 10.97% | 2.57M | Jul 2025 | VNQ vs XLRI | |
| Global X SuperDividend REIT ETF | 11.51% | 227.84M | Mar 2015 | VNQ vs SRET |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VNQ
VNQ has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.34%. There are 19 ETFs in the REIT category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.82%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | -4.82% | 18.24M | Feb 2019 | VNQ vs VRAI | |
| InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | -6.57% | 118.19M | Feb 2017 | VNQ vs PFFR | |
| ALPS Active REIT ETF | -7.35% | 53.36M | Feb 2021 | VNQ vs REIT | |
| NEOS Real Estate High Income ETF | -7.53% | 279.42M | Jan 2025 | VNQ vs IYRI | |
| First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund | -7.57% | 176.56M | May 2007 | VNQ vs FRI |
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 | 60 | 8.08% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VNQ vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 60 | 8.80% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VNQ vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 22.32% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VNQ vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 55 | 12.42% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VNQ vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 29 | 3.21% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VNQ vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 60 | 10.01% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VNQ vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 77 | 11.42% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VNQ vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 35 | 0.94% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VNQ vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 55 | 7.01% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VNQ vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 86 | 14.56% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VNQ vs VTV |
Often Compared With VNQ
Investors most often compare VNQ with SPY, XLRE, VNQI. These 19 comparison targets span 4 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VNQ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VNQ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VNQ with funds that move differently
Vanguard Real Estate ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VNQ.
Explore VNQ Diversifiers