Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VPLS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS charges 0.20% annually. There are 5 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 117.00M | Dec 2025 | VPLS vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 278.83M | Nov 2016 | VPLS vs IMTB | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 42.27B | Jun 2014 | VPLS vs IUSB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 720.18M | Jun 2020 | VPLS vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | VPLS vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 41. There are 15 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 88 | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | VPLS vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 87 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | VPLS vs BNDS | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 63 | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | VPLS vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 63 | — | Mar 2025 | VPLS vs CFIT | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 55 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | VPLS vs SJCP |
Top Performing VPLS Alternatives (YTD)
VPLS is at 0.90% YTD. There are 8 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 5.42%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 5.42% | — | Mar 2025 | VPLS vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.60% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | VPLS vs BNDS | |
| Monarch Ambassador Income ETF | 1.59% | 188.06M | Mar 2021 | VPLS vs MAMB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.50% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | VPLS vs BYLD | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.50% | 178.17M | Aug 2022 | VPLS vs BNDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS has 3.60% 1-year volatility. There are 19 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.58%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.58% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | VPLS vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.52% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | VPLS vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.77% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | VPLS vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.10% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | VPLS vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.25% | 719.37M | Mar 2022 | VPLS vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.72%. There are 21 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | VPLS vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | VPLS vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | VPLS vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | VPLS vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | VPLS vs MBS |
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 | VPLS vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 59 | 8.82% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VPLS vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 23.32% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VPLS vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 55 | 12.51% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VPLS vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 31 | 3.52% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VPLS vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 59 | 10.06% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VPLS vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 75 | 11.51% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VPLS vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 32 | 0.49% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VPLS vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 54 | 6.98% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VPLS vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 84 | 14.47% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VPLS vs VTV |
Often Compared With VPLS
Investors most often compare VPLS with VCRB, FBND, VCPAX. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VPLS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VPLS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VPLS with funds that move differently
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VPLS.
Explore VPLS Diversifiers