Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) Alternatives
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 funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS charges 0.20% annually. Among ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among VPLS alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | Dec 2, 2025 | VPLS vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | Nov 1, 2016 | VPLS vs IMTB | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | Jun 10, 2014 | VPLS vs IUSB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | Jun 23, 2020 | VPLS vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | Apr 22, 2014 | VPLS vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VPLS
Among ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 86 | Sep 5, 2023 | VPLS vs ZHOG | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 85 | Feb 26, 2024 | VPLS vs CAAA | |
| iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic... | 83 | Feb 24, 2015 | VPLS vs FIBR | |
| iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 82 | Feb 24, 2015 | VPLS vs SYSB | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 77 | Jan 15, 2025 | VPLS vs BNDS |
Top Performing VPLS Alternatives (YTD)
VPLS alternatives from the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch Ambassador Income ETF | 1.19% | Mar 23, 2021 | VPLS vs MAMB | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 0.75% | Jan 15, 2025 | VPLS vs BNDS | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.68% | Aug 29, 2022 | VPLS vs BNDI | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | 0.63% | Dec 20, 2021 | VPLS vs KDRN | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 0.29% | Jun 4, 2021 | VPLS vs MBS |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS alternatives from the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 2.31% | Sep 5, 2023 | VPLS vs ZHOG | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.34% | Feb 26, 2024 | VPLS vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 3.62% | Jun 4, 2021 | VPLS vs MBS | |
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 3.66% | Dec 2, 2025 | VPLS vs BNDP | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.71% | Mar 31, 2022 | VPLS vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VPLS
VPLS alternatives from the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | Feb 26, 2024 | VPLS vs CAAA | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -2.20% | Sep 5, 2023 | VPLS vs ZHOG | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | -2.42% | Jun 23, 2020 | VPLS vs EUSB | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | -2.49% | Jun 10, 2014 | VPLS vs IUSB | |
| ActivePassive Core Bond ETF | -2.51% | May 2, 2023 | VPLS vs APCB |
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 | VPLS vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 65 | -4.01% | Jun 27, 2016 | VPLS vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 67 | -7.34% | Mar 25, 2004 | VPLS vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 86 | 2.32% | Jan 26, 2011 | VPLS vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 50 | -10.37% | Nov 13, 2000 | VPLS vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 77 | -1.71% | Jun 24, 2008 | VPLS vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 72 | 3.80% | Feb 7, 2019 | VPLS vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 59 | 0.05% | Apr 3, 2007 | VPLS vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 55 | -1.77% | Dec 19, 2013 | VPLS vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 67 | 3.30% | Jan 26, 2004 | VPLS vs VTV |
Often Compared With VPLS
What investors most often compare with VPLS, 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.