Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF (XDEF) Alternatives
Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF (XDEF) 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 XDEF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to XDEF
XDEF charges 0.35% annually. Among ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among XDEF alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | Sep 28, 2011 | XDEF vs XAR | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | Oct 10, 2024 | XDEF vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.42% | May 5, 2006 | XDEF vs ITA | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 0.45% | Sep 10, 2025 | XDEF vs WDAF | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | Sep 10, 2025 | XDEF vs WDGF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XDEF
Among ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 96 | Apr 11, 2019 | XDEF vs UFO | |
| PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF | 95 | Feb 5, 2025 | XDEF vs KDEF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 94 | Jan 3, 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 92 | Sep 28, 2011 | XDEF vs XAR | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 92 | Oct 26, 2005 | XDEF vs PPA |
Top Performing XDEF Alternatives (YTD)
XDEF alternatives from the Aerospace & Defense category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF | 20.17% | Feb 5, 2025 | XDEF vs KDEF | |
| Procure Space ETF | 15.94% | Apr 11, 2019 | XDEF vs UFO | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 11.28% | Sep 10, 2025 | XDEF vs WDAF | |
| REX Drone ETF | 9.89% | Oct 29, 2025 | XDEF vs DRNZ | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 7.15% | Sep 10, 2025 | XDEF vs WDGF |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XDEF
XDEF alternatives from the Aerospace & Defense category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | 20.00% | May 19, 2025 | XDEF vs IDEF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 21.51% | Jan 3, 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 21.55% | Sep 10, 2025 | XDEF vs WDGF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 21.64% | Oct 26, 2005 | XDEF vs PPA | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 22.63% | Oct 10, 2024 | XDEF vs NATO |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XDEF
XDEF alternatives from the Aerospace & Defense category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | Oct 26, 2005 | XDEF vs PPA | |
| U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.06% | Dec 30, 2024 | XDEF vs WAR | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | Jan 3, 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | May 5, 2006 | XDEF vs ITA | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | -15.99% | Oct 10, 2024 | XDEF vs NATO |
Other ETFs from Xtrackers
Most popular Xtrackers ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
Often Compared With XDEF
What investors most often compare with XDEF, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | Aerospace & Defense | 87 | 1.28% | Mar 30, 2021 | XDEF vs ARKX |
Compare XDEF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XDEF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.