WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF) belongs to the Aerospace & Defense category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with WDGF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to WDGF
WDGF charges 0.45% annually. There are 4 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | WDGF vs NATO | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | 4.61M | Feb 2026 | WDGF vs XDEF | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 6.50B | Sep 2011 | WDGF vs XAR | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.33B | May 2006 | WDGF vs ITA | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 0.45% | 23.89M | Sep 2025 | WDGF vs WDAF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to WDGF
Among 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 88 | 144.60M | Apr 2019 | WDGF vs UFO | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 58 | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | WDGF vs ARKX | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 52 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WDGF vs GCAD | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 46 | 15.67M | Dec 2024 | WDGF vs FOWF | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 43 | 6.50B | Sep 2011 | WDGF vs XAR |
Top Performing WDGF Alternatives (YTD)
WDGF is at 3.03% YTD. There are 12 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 52.32%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF | 52.32% | 171.74M | Sep 2025 | WDGF vs JEDI | |
| Procure Space ETF | 49.39% | 144.60M | Apr 2019 | WDGF vs UFO | |
| REX Drone ETF | 24.77% | 101.41M | Oct 2025 | WDGF vs DRNZ | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 23.67% | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | WDGF vs ARKX | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 14.09% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WDGF vs GCAD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to WDGF
WDGF has 22.41% 1-year volatility. There are 6 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.94%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 13.94% | 15.67M | Dec 2024 | WDGF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 19.03% | 8.37B | Oct 2005 | WDGF vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 19.25% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WDGF vs GCAD | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 20.71% | — | Oct 2024 | WDGF vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.86% | 14.33B | May 2006 | WDGF vs ITA |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to WDGF
Among 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -10.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | -10.08% | 15.67M | Dec 2024 | WDGF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | 8.37B | Oct 2005 | WDGF vs PPA | |
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | -14.63% | — | May 2025 | WDGF vs IDEF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WDGF vs GCAD | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | 14.33B | May 2006 | WDGF vs ITA |
Other ETFs from WisdomTree
The 10 most viewed WisdomTree ETFs shown here include USFR, DGRW, GDE and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $17B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund | Government Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.60% | 17.01B | Feb 2014 | WDGF vs USFR | |
| WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 60 | 9.10% | 16.64B | May 2013 | WDGF vs DGRW | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | Gold | 49 | 9.79% | 576.93M | Mar 2022 | WDGF vs GDE | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | Japan Equities | 88 | 19.64% | 6.78B | Jun 2006 | WDGF vs DXJ | |
| WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund | Diversified Portfolio | 60 | 8.62% | 1.34B | Aug 2018 | WDGF vs NTSX | |
| WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund | Large Cap Value Equities, Dividend | 62 | 9.88% | 1.48B | Jun 2006 | WDGF vs DHS | |
| WisdomTree India Earnings Fund | Asia Pacific Equities | 3 | -10.02% | 2.13B | Feb 2008 | WDGF vs EPI | |
| WisdomTree U.S. Quality Growth Fund | Large Cap Growth Equities | 54 | 15.43% | 2.47B | Dec 2022 | WDGF vs QGRW | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strateg... | Commodities, Gold | 34 | -4.13% | 197.59M | Dec 2021 | WDGF vs GDMN | |
| WisdomTree US Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 60 | 10.52% | 2.83B | Feb 2007 | WDGF vs WTV |
Often Compared With WDGF
Investors most often compare WDGF with SHLD, WDEF.L, REGB.L. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare WDGF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare WDGF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair WDGF with funds that move differently
WisdomTree Global Defense Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to WDGF.
Explore WDGF Diversifiers