Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) belongs to the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VSS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VSS
VSS charges 0.07% annually. No ETFs in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category have lower expense ratios; the lowest-cost alternatives shown here go as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF | 0.08% | 5.37B | Jan 2010 | VSS vs SCHC | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF | 0.30% | 315.68M | Jul 2023 | VSS vs AVDS | |
| Dimensional International Vector Equity ETF | 0.30% | 188.62M | Sep 2024 | VSS vs DXIV | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF | 0.36% | 18.99B | Sep 2019 | VSS vs AVDV | |
| Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | 0.39% | 5.77B | Mar 2022 | VSS vs DFIS |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VSS
VSS has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 37. There are 13 ETFs in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 76.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF | 76 | 226.84M | Jun 2015 | VSS vs HSCZ | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF | 69 | 18.99B | Sep 2019 | VSS vs AVDV | |
| Dimensional International Vector Equity ETF | 61 | 188.62M | Sep 2024 | VSS vs DXIV | |
| Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | 60 | 4.75B | Mar 2022 | VSS vs DISV | |
| First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap Alph... | 60 | 13.15M | Feb 2012 | VSS vs FDTS |
Top Performing VSS Alternatives (YTD)
VSS is at 6.76% YTD. There are 11 ETFs in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 12.95%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap Alph... | 12.95% | 13.15M | Feb 2012 | VSS vs FDTS | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF | 11.30% | 18.99B | Sep 2019 | VSS vs AVDV | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF | 10.91% | 226.84M | Jun 2015 | VSS vs HSCZ | |
| Schwab Fundamental International Small Equity ETF | 9.16% | 3.02B | Aug 2013 | VSS vs FNDC | |
| Dimensional International Vector Equity ETF | 9.11% | 188.62M | Sep 2024 | VSS vs DXIV |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VSS
VSS has 15.97% 1-year volatility. There are 13 ETFs in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.81%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF | 11.81% | 226.84M | Jun 2015 | VSS vs HSCZ | |
| WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged International S... | 13.20% | 429.22M | Jan 2016 | VSS vs DDLS | |
| WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend | 13.79% | 1.04B | Jun 2006 | VSS vs DLS | |
| Dimensional International Vector Equity ETF | 14.13% | 188.62M | Sep 2024 | VSS vs DXIV | |
| NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF | 14.27% | 25.03M | May 2026 | VSS vs NISM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VSS
VSS has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.62%. There are 8 ETFs in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.61%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small Cap ETF | -9.61% | 226.84M | Jun 2015 | VSS vs HSCZ | |
| WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged International S... | -10.69% | 429.22M | Jan 2016 | VSS vs DDLS | |
| Dimensional International Vector Equity ETF | -10.84% | 188.62M | Sep 2024 | VSS vs DXIV | |
| WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend | -11.04% | 1.04B | Jun 2006 | VSS vs DLS | |
| Schwab Fundamental International Small Equity ETF | -11.20% | 3.02B | Aug 2013 | VSS vs FNDC |
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 | 66 | 10.45% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VSS vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 66 | 10.96% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VSS vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 57 | 22.94% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VSS vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 56 | 11.67% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VSS vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 32 | 6.19% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VSS vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 11.12% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VSS vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 83 | 13.44% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VSS vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 32 | -0.17% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VSS vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 66 | 9.40% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VSS vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 90 | 16.06% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VSS vs VTV |
Often Compared With VSS
Investors most often compare VSS with VEU, SCZ, VWO. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VSS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VSS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VSS with funds that move differently
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VSS.
Explore VSS Diversifiers