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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | VWO vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | VWO vs VEXC | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | VWO vs IEMG | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.59B | Jan 2010 | VWO vs SCHE | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | VWO vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VWO
VWO has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 52. There are 77 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 92.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 92 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | VWO vs EMEQ | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | VWO vs EVLU | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | VWO vs GEME | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 89 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | VWO vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 86 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | VWO vs FTHF |
Top Performing VWO Alternatives (YTD)
VWO is at 9.99% YTD. There are 87 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 55.77%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 55.77% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | VWO vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 35.77% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | VWO vs FTHF | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 32.23% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | VWO vs EMSF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.89% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | VWO vs STXE | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 30.26% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | VWO vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VWO
VWO has 17.60% 1-year volatility. There are 30 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.65% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | VWO vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | VWO vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | VWO vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | VWO vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | VWO vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VWO
VWO has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.17%. There are 21 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | VWO vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | VWO vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | VWO vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | VWO vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | VWO vs ECOW |
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 | 78 | 11.72% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VWO vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 78 | 12.18% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VWO vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 60 | 22.47% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VWO vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 72 | 13.32% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VWO vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 37 | 7.33% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VWO vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.40% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VWO vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 92 | 14.80% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VWO vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 24 | -0.30% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VWO vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 79 | 10.16% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VWO vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 94 | 16.93% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VWO vs VTV |
Often Compared With VWO
Investors most often compare VWO with VEA, EEM, VEMAX. These 20 comparison targets span 8 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