Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) belongs to the Utilities Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VPU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VPU
VPU charges 0.09% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Utilities Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF | 0.08% | 2.35B | Oct 2013 | VPU vs FUTY | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.08% | 23.07B | Dec 1998 | VPU vs XLU | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Ser... | 0.29% | 17.33M | Apr 2010 | VPU vs PSCU | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 0.35% | 26.10M | Jul 2025 | VPU vs XLUI | |
| iShares U.S. Utilities ETF | 0.38% | 1.46B | Jun 2000 | VPU vs IDU |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VPU
VPU has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 21. There are 14 ETFs in the Utilities Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 81.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 81 | — | Jul 2025 | VPU vs BILT | |
| SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF | 67 | 941.89M | Jan 2007 | VPU vs GII | |
| First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF | 61 | 29.60M | Aug 2019 | VPU vs FPWR | |
| FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index... | 55 | 3.00B | Oct 2013 | VPU vs NFRA | |
| iShares Global Utilities ETF | 44 | 309.87M | Sep 2006 | VPU vs JXI |
Top Performing VPU Alternatives (YTD)
VPU is at 4.72% YTD. There are 18 ETFs in the Utilities Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 16.38%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF | 16.38% | 191.85M | Apr 2025 | VPU vs ELFY | |
| iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 14.30% | — | Jul 2025 | VPU vs BILT | |
| First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF | 13.39% | 29.60M | Aug 2019 | VPU vs FPWR | |
| Global X U.S. Electrification ETF | 12.73% | 461.72M | Dec 2024 | VPU vs ZAP | |
| iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF | 12.12% | 450.78M | Jan 2012 | VPU vs POWR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VPU
VPU has 14.72% 1-year volatility. There are 11 ETFs in the Utilities Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 10.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 10.31% | — | Jul 2025 | VPU vs BILT | |
| FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index... | 10.38% | 3.00B | Oct 2013 | VPU vs NFRA | |
| First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF | 10.86% | 29.60M | Aug 2019 | VPU vs FPWR | |
| SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF | 10.98% | 941.89M | Jan 2007 | VPU vs GII | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 11.32% | 26.10M | Jul 2025 | VPU vs XLUI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VPU
VPU has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.90%. There are 10 ETFs in the Utilities Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -5.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF | -5.02% | 29.60M | Aug 2019 | VPU vs FPWR | |
| iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | -5.38% | — | Jul 2025 | VPU vs BILT | |
| SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF | -5.94% | 941.89M | Jan 2007 | VPU vs GII | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | -6.01% | 26.10M | Jul 2025 | VPU vs XLUI | |
| FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index... | -7.28% | 3.00B | Oct 2013 | VPU vs NFRA |
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 | 68 | 10.16% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VPU vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 67 | 10.49% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VPU vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 52 | 20.36% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VPU vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 12.75% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VPU vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 28 | 5.02% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VPU vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 70 | 11.15% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VPU vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 90 | 14.21% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VPU vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 29 | -0.54% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VPU vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 75 | 9.71% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VPU vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 93 | 16.37% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VPU vs VTV |
Often Compared With VPU
Investors most often compare VPU with SPY, VUIAX, SCHD. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VPU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VPU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VPU with funds that move differently
Vanguard Utilities ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VPU.
Explore VPU Diversifiers