2026 Edition
15 Best ETFs for Beginners
Simple, low-cost, diversified funds that do the work for you. Build a portfolio in 15 minutes that most financial advisors can't beat.
No sponsored picks. No affiliate commissions on funds. Just the ETFs I'd recommend to anyone starting out.
15
ETFs Reviewed
0.06%
Avg Expense Ratio
$3.3T
Total AUM Covered
What Is an ETF?
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a basket of securities — stocks, bonds, or other assets — that trades on a stock exchange just like a regular stock. When you buy one share of VTI, you instantly own a tiny piece of about 3,700 US companies.
Think of an ETF as a pre-built portfolio. Instead of picking individual stocks (and hoping you pick the right ones), you buy one fund and get instant diversification. The fund tracks an index — a predefined list of stocks — so there's no fund manager trying to outsmart the market. That's why expense ratios are so low.
ETFs solved three problems at once: they're cheaper than mutual funds, more tax-efficient, and you can buy or sell them any time the market is open. For beginners, they're the simplest path to serious investing.
Want a deeper dive? Read my full guide on index funds.
How to Choose an ETF
Expense Ratio
The annual fee you pay to own the fund. Look for 0.10% or less. The difference between 0.03% and 1.00% over 30 years on $100K is over $50,000. This is the single most important number.
Tracking Error
How closely the ETF follows its benchmark index. The best ETFs (Vanguard, iShares) have near-zero tracking error. If an ETF consistently underperforms its index, something is wrong.
Liquidity & Size
Larger funds have tighter bid-ask spreads and more liquidity. Stick with ETFs that have at least $1 billion in assets. Every ETF on this list has $30B+ in assets.
The 15 Best ETFs, by Category
Each ETF below is one of the largest and cheapest in its category. Data as of early 2026. Five-year returns are annualized.
US Total Market
2 fundsOwn every publicly traded US company in a single fund. The broadest possible domestic exposure.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTIGlen's pick | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 13.8% | $427B | 1.3% |
ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 13.7% | $62B | 1.3% |
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
ER
0.03%
AUM
$427B
Yield
1.3%
Tracks: CRSP US Total Market Index (~3,700 stocks)
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF
ER
0.03%
AUM
$62B
Yield
1.3%
Tracks: S&P Total Market Index (~2,500 stocks)
VTI tracks: CRSP US Total Market Index (~3,700 stocks)
ITOT tracks: S&P Total Market Index (~2,500 stocks)
S&P 500
3 fundsThe 500 largest US companies by market cap. The benchmark every fund manager tries (and usually fails) to beat.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOOLowest cost | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 0.03% | 14.5% | $561B | 1.2% |
IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 0.03% | 14.5% | $540B | 1.2% |
SPY | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | 0.09% | 14.4% | $580B | 1.2% |
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
ER
0.03%
AUM
$561B
Yield
1.2%
Tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
ER
0.03%
AUM
$540B
Yield
1.2%
Tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
ER
0.09%
AUM
$580B
Yield
1.2%
Tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
VOO tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
IVV tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
SPY tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
International
2 fundsDiversify beyond US borders. International stocks zig when US stocks zag.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXUSGlen's pick | Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 0.07% | 5.8% | $72B | 3.1% |
IXUS | iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | 0.07% | 5.6% | $38B | 2.9% |
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
ER
0.07%
AUM
$72B
Yield
3.1%
Tracks: FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index (~8,500 stocks across 47 countries)
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF
ER
0.07%
AUM
$38B
Yield
2.9%
Tracks: MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (~4,400 stocks across 44 countries)
VXUS tracks: FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index (~8,500 stocks across 47 countries)
IXUS tracks: MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (~4,400 stocks across 44 countries)
Bonds
2 fundsStability and income. Bonds cushion your portfolio when stocks drop.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDGlen's pick | Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 0.03% | 0.4% | $117B | 4.5% |
AGG | iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | 0.3% | $117B | 4.4% |
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
ER
0.03%
AUM
$117B
Yield
4.5%
Tracks: Bloomberg US Aggregate Float Adjusted Index (~11,000 bonds)
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
ER
0.03%
AUM
$117B
Yield
4.4%
Tracks: Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (~11,000 bonds)
BND tracks: Bloomberg US Aggregate Float Adjusted Index (~11,000 bonds)
AGG tracks: Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (~11,000 bonds)
Dividend
2 fundsCompanies that pay and grow their dividends. Income today, growth tomorrow.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 0.06% | 10.2% | $60B | 2.8% |
SCHDDividend king | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 0.06% | 11.4% | $63B | 3.4% |
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
ER
0.06%
AUM
$60B
Yield
2.8%
Tracks: FTSE High Dividend Yield Index (~450 high-yield US stocks)
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
ER
0.06%
AUM
$63B
Yield
3.4%
Tracks: Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index (100 quality dividend stocks)
VYM tracks: FTSE High Dividend Yield Index (~450 high-yield US stocks)
SCHD tracks: Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index (100 quality dividend stocks)
Growth
2 fundsHigh-growth companies that reinvest profits instead of paying dividends. Higher potential, higher volatility.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUG | Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.04% | 16.8% | $132B | 0.5% |
QQQTech-heavy | Invesco QQQ Trust | 0.20% | 18.2% | $305B | 0.6% |
Vanguard Growth ETF
ER
0.04%
AUM
$132B
Yield
0.5%
Tracks: CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index (~230 large-cap growth stocks)
Invesco QQQ Trust
ER
0.20%
AUM
$305B
Yield
0.6%
Tracks: Nasdaq-100 Index (100 largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks)
VUG tracks: CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index (~230 large-cap growth stocks)
QQQ tracks: Nasdaq-100 Index (100 largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks)
Small Cap
1 fundSmaller companies with more room to grow. Higher risk, historically higher returns over long periods.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB | Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 0.05% | 9.1% | $55B | 1.4% |
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF
ER
0.05%
AUM
$55B
Yield
1.4%
Tracks: CRSP US Small Cap Index (~1,400 small-cap stocks)
VB tracks: CRSP US Small Cap Index (~1,400 small-cap stocks)
Real Estate
1 fundReal estate investment trusts (REITs) in ETF form. Own commercial real estate without being a landlord.
| Ticker | Name | Expense Ratio | 5-Year Return | AUM | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VNQ | Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 0.12% | 4.2% | $36B | 3.8% |
Vanguard Real Estate ETF
ER
0.12%
AUM
$36B
Yield
3.8%
Tracks: MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index (~160 REITs)
VNQ tracks: MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index (~160 REITs)
All 15 ETFs at a Glance
| Ticker | ER | 5Y Return | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTI | 0.03% | 13.8% | 1.3% |
| ITOT | 0.03% | 13.7% | 1.3% |
| VOO | 0.03% | 14.5% | 1.2% |
| IVV | 0.03% | 14.5% | 1.2% |
| SPY | 0.09% | 14.4% | 1.2% |
| VXUS | 0.07% | 5.8% | 3.1% |
| IXUS | 0.07% | 5.6% | 2.9% |
| BND | 0.03% | 0.4% | 4.5% |
| AGG | 0.03% | 0.3% | 4.4% |
| VYM | 0.06% | 10.2% | 2.8% |
| SCHD | 0.06% | 11.4% | 3.4% |
| VUG | 0.04% | 16.8% | 0.5% |
| QQQ | 0.20% | 18.2% | 0.6% |
| VB | 0.05% | 9.1% | 1.4% |
| VNQ | 0.12% | 4.2% | 3.8% |
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Build a 3-Fund Portfolio
The Boglehead 3-fund portfolio is the simplest, most effective investment strategy for 90% of people. Three funds. Three asset classes. Total global diversification. Average expense ratio: about 0.04%.
Aggressive (Age 20-35)
Total expense ratio: ~0.04%
Moderate (Age 35-50)
Total expense ratio: ~0.04%
Conservative (Age 50+)
Total expense ratio: ~0.04%
The rule of thumb: Hold your age in bonds. If you're 30, put 30% in BND and split the rest between VTI and VXUS. Rebalance once a year. That's it. This strategy has outperformed most actively managed portfolios over every 20-year period in history.
ETF vs Mutual Fund vs Individual Stocks
| Feature | ETF | Mutual Fund | Individual Stocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | Price of 1 share ($1 with fractional) | $1,000 - $3,000 typical | Price of 1 share ($1 with fractional) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% - 0.20% for index ETFs | 0.04% - 1.00%+ | None (but you pick winners and losers) |
| Trading | Real-time, throughout the day | Once per day at market close | Real-time, throughout the day |
| Diversification | Instant — hundreds to thousands of holdings | Instant — hundreds to thousands of holdings | You build it yourself, stock by stock |
| Tax Efficiency | High (in-kind creation/redemption) | Lower (capital gains distributions) | You control (harvest losses yourself) |
| Best For | Most investors, especially beginners | 401(k) plans, auto-investment | Experienced investors who do research |
Minimum Investment
Expense Ratio
Trading
Diversification
Tax Efficiency
Best For
Glen's Personal ETF Picks (and Why)
Full disclosure: I'm a concentrated investor. My personal portfolio is heavily weighted toward Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred shares — a special-situation bet I've written about extensively. That's not what I'd recommend for most people.
If I were starting fresh with no edge, no thesis, and no tolerance for deep research, here's exactly what I'd buy:
The entire US stock market for 0.03%. One fund, 3,700 stocks, done. This is the core of any portfolio.
International diversification. 8,500 stocks across 47 countries. When the US underperforms (and it will eventually), this is your hedge.
Bonds for stability. Adjust this percentage up as you age. At 30, keep it small. At 60, make it half your portfolio.
Total cost: about 0.04% per year, or $4 for every $10,000 invested. A financial advisor charging 1% would cost you $100 for the same $10,000 — and most of them would put you in these exact same funds anyway.
Detailed ETF Analysis
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
Glen's pickExpense Ratio
0.03%
5-Year Return
13.8%
Assets Under Mgmt
$427B
Dividend Yield
1.3%
Tracks: CRSP US Total Market Index (~3,700 stocks)
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF
Expense Ratio
0.03%
5-Year Return
13.7%
Assets Under Mgmt
$62B
Dividend Yield
1.3%
Tracks: S&P Total Market Index (~2,500 stocks)
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Lowest costExpense Ratio
0.03%
5-Year Return
14.5%
Assets Under Mgmt
$561B
Dividend Yield
1.2%
Tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Expense Ratio
0.03%
5-Year Return
14.5%
Assets Under Mgmt
$540B
Dividend Yield
1.2%
Tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Expense Ratio
0.09%
5-Year Return
14.4%
Assets Under Mgmt
$580B
Dividend Yield
1.2%
Tracks: S&P 500 Index (500 large-cap US stocks)
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Glen's pickExpense Ratio
0.07%
5-Year Return
5.8%
Assets Under Mgmt
$72B
Dividend Yield
3.1%
Tracks: FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index (~8,500 stocks across 47 countries)
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF
Expense Ratio
0.07%
5-Year Return
5.6%
Assets Under Mgmt
$38B
Dividend Yield
2.9%
Tracks: MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (~4,400 stocks across 44 countries)
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
Glen's pickExpense Ratio
0.03%
5-Year Return
0.4%
Assets Under Mgmt
$117B
Dividend Yield
4.5%
Tracks: Bloomberg US Aggregate Float Adjusted Index (~11,000 bonds)
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
Expense Ratio
0.03%
5-Year Return
0.3%
Assets Under Mgmt
$117B
Dividend Yield
4.4%
Tracks: Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (~11,000 bonds)
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Expense Ratio
0.06%
5-Year Return
10.2%
Assets Under Mgmt
$60B
Dividend Yield
2.8%
Tracks: FTSE High Dividend Yield Index (~450 high-yield US stocks)
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Dividend kingExpense Ratio
0.06%
5-Year Return
11.4%
Assets Under Mgmt
$63B
Dividend Yield
3.4%
Tracks: Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index (100 quality dividend stocks)
Vanguard Growth ETF
Expense Ratio
0.04%
5-Year Return
16.8%
Assets Under Mgmt
$132B
Dividend Yield
0.5%
Tracks: CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index (~230 large-cap growth stocks)
Invesco QQQ Trust
Tech-heavyExpense Ratio
0.20%
5-Year Return
18.2%
Assets Under Mgmt
$305B
Dividend Yield
0.6%
Tracks: Nasdaq-100 Index (100 largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks)
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF
Expense Ratio
0.05%
5-Year Return
9.1%
Assets Under Mgmt
$55B
Dividend Yield
1.4%
Tracks: CRSP US Small Cap Index (~1,400 small-cap stocks)
Vanguard Real Estate ETF
Expense Ratio
0.12%
5-Year Return
4.2%
Assets Under Mgmt
$36B
Dividend Yield
3.8%
Tracks: MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index (~160 REITs)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ETF for beginners in 2026?
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is the best single ETF for beginners. It gives you exposure to the entire US stock market — large, mid, and small caps — in one fund with a 0.03% expense ratio. You own roughly 3,700 stocks for the price of one share.
What is the difference between VTI and VOO?
VTI tracks the total US stock market (about 3,700 stocks including small and mid caps), while VOO tracks only the S&P 500 (the 500 largest US companies). VTI gives you slightly more diversification. In practice, they have nearly identical performance because large caps dominate both indexes. Either is an excellent choice.
How much money do I need to start investing in ETFs?
You can start with as little as the price of one share — most of the ETFs on this list trade between $50 and $500 per share. Many brokerages now offer fractional shares, so you can invest with as little as $1. The important thing is to start, not to start big.
What is an expense ratio and why does it matter?
An expense ratio is the annual fee the fund charges, expressed as a percentage of your investment. A 0.03% expense ratio means you pay $3 per year for every $10,000 invested. Over 30 years, the difference between a 0.03% and a 1.00% expense ratio on $100,000 can cost you over $50,000 in lost returns. Always choose low-cost funds.
Should I invest in an ETF or a mutual fund?
For most people, ETFs are better. They trade throughout the day like stocks, have lower expense ratios, are more tax-efficient, and have no minimum investment (you buy shares at market price). Mutual funds can still be good — especially Vanguard's Admiral Shares — but ETFs give you more flexibility.
What is a 3-fund portfolio?
A 3-fund portfolio is a simple, diversified portfolio using just three funds: a US total market fund (like VTI), an international fund (like VXUS), and a bond fund (like BND). This strategy, popularized by Bogleheads, gives you exposure to the entire global stock and bond market for an average expense ratio of about 0.04%.
Is it better to invest in the S&P 500 or the total market?
Both are excellent choices. The S&P 500 (VOO) captures about 80% of the US market by capitalization. A total market fund (VTI) adds mid-cap and small-cap stocks. Historically, their returns are nearly identical over long periods. If you want maximum simplicity, pick one and stick with it.
How often should I check my ETF investments?
As rarely as possible. Quarterly rebalancing is more than enough for most people. The best investors automate their contributions and resist the urge to check daily prices. Time in the market beats timing the market — every study confirms this.
Are ETFs safe investments?
Broad market ETFs like VTI and VOO are among the safest ways to invest in equities. You are diversified across thousands of companies, so no single company can blow up your portfolio. That said, they are still stocks — expect 20-30% drawdowns during bear markets. The key is to hold through them. The S&P 500 has recovered from every crash in history.
Should beginners invest in dividend ETFs or growth ETFs?
If you are young and have a long time horizon (10+ years), growth ETFs like VUG or QQQ will likely produce higher total returns because they reinvest profits into expansion. If you need income or are closer to retirement, dividend ETFs like SCHD or VYM provide steady cash flow. A total market fund like VTI gives you both in one package.
The Bottom Line
You don't need 15 ETFs. You need three: VTI, VXUS, and BND. That's the entire global stock and bond market in your pocket for less than what you pay for a cup of coffee per year.
The other 12 ETFs on this list are for people who want to tilt toward specific factors — dividends, growth, small caps, or real estate. Those tilts are fine, but they're optional. The 3-fund portfolio is not optional. It's the foundation.
The biggest risk isn't picking the wrong ETF. It's not starting at all. Open a brokerage account, set up automatic monthly contributions, pick VTI (or VOO, or ITOT — they're all great), and walk away. Check back in 30 years. You'll be glad you did.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All data is approximate and based on publicly available information as of early 2026. Glen Bradford is not a registered financial advisor. Do your own research before investing.
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