Cheaper alternatives to VGS
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF charges 0.18% a year. We found 2 ETFs that hold at least 80% of the same companies for a lower fee. The cheapest, BGBL, charges 0.08%: $100 a year less on $100,000.
ETFs that hold the same companies for less
VGS tracks: MSCI World ex Australia Index. Twins may follow a different index. They hold most of the same companies, but in different weights, so their returns won't match exactly. Use Compare to see the full overlap.
| Code | Cheaper twin | Same holdings | Fee | You save a year on $100,000 | Size | 1Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGBL | Betashares Global Shares ETFTracks: Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex Australia Large & Mid Cap IndexBetashares | 92%same companies | 0.08% | $100 | $5.5bn | +10.4% | Compare → |
| HGBL | Betashares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETFTracks: Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex Australia Large & Mid Cap Index, hedged to AUDBetashares · currency hedged | 92%same companies | 0.11% | $70 | $3.0bn | +17.4% | Compare → |
"Same holdings" is the overlap between the two funds: the sum of the smaller weight of every company both hold. Above 80% the two ETFs are largely the same portfolio. Fees are management fees (MER) from the TMX Australia funds report. A lower fee isn't everything: check the index, size, liquidity (bid/ask spread), currency hedging and tracking before switching, and remember selling may trigger capital gains tax and brokerage. General information only, not a recommendation.
Best-endeavours estimate. Built from each issuer's published holdings, which may be weeks or months old, may cover only part of a fund (some publish only their top 10) and are matched by company name. Figures may be incomplete or inaccurate. Check the issuer's website and PDS before relying on them. General information only.
Before you switch
- Check it tracks the same index. Two funds can share 90% of their companies but weight them differently.
- Look at size and liquidity. Bigger funds usually have tighter bid/ask spreads, which matter if you trade often.
- Hedged or not? Currency hedging changes returns even when the holdings are the same.
- Count the cost of switching. Selling may mean capital gains tax and brokerage, which can outweigh a small fee saving.
Compare VGS with its cheaper twins side by side → · Find a cheaper twin for another ETF →