Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VWO. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VWO
VWO charges 0.08% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | VWO vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 17.31B | Mar 2007 | VWO vs SPEM | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 86.15M | Apr 2020 | VWO vs BKEM | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.63B | Jan 2010 | VWO vs SCHE | |
| Xtrackers Emerging Markets Carbon Reduction and Cl... | 0.15% | 58.56M | Dec 2018 | VWO vs EMCR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VWO
VWO has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 46. There are 43 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 88 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | VWO vs GEME | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 88 | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | VWO vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 87 | — | Sep 2024 | VWO vs EVLU | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 82 | 102.15M | Jun 2011 | VWO vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 79 | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | VWO vs EMXC |
Top Performing VWO Alternatives (YTD)
VWO is at 9.49% YTD. There are 50 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 36.43%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 36.43% | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | VWO vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 30.46% | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | VWO vs EMXC | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 28.05% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | VWO vs GEME | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 27.89% | 1.97B | Sep 2015 | VWO vs XCEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 25.92% | — | Sep 2024 | VWO vs EVLU |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VWO
VWO has 17.20% 1-year volatility. There are 25 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.57%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.57% | — | Jun 2025 | VWO vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.79% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | VWO vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.50% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | VWO vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 16.78M | Jun 2017 | VWO vs RNEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.79% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | VWO vs EDIV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VWO
VWO has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.17%. There are 24 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.72%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -6.72% | — | Jun 2025 | VWO vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | VWO vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.91B | Jul 2007 | VWO vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 707.60M | May 2008 | VWO vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | VWO vs TDEC |
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 | VWO vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 66 | 10.96% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VWO vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 57 | 22.94% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VWO vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 56 | 11.67% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VWO vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 32 | 6.19% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VWO vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 11.12% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VWO vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 83 | 13.44% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VWO vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 32 | -0.17% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VWO vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 66 | 9.40% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VWO vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 90 | 16.06% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VWO vs VTV |
Often Compared With VWO
Investors most often compare VWO with VEA, IEMG, EEM. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VWO with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VWO with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VWO with funds that move differently
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VWO.
Explore VWO Diversifiers