AMVE vs GEAR: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
It is a dead heat: 5 measures each. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $16,035 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.
AMVE vs GEAR side by side
| AMVE leads on 5, GEAR on 5 | AMVEAB Managed Volatility Equities Fund - MVE Class - Active ETF | GEARBetashares Geared Australian Equities ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | Benchmark: S&P/ASX 300 Index | Not an index fund: geared exposure to large Australian shares |
| Fund manager | AllianceBernstein | Betashares |
| Asset class | Australian shares | Australian shares |
| Listed | Apr 2021 | May 2014 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.55%✓ | 0.80% |
| AUMfund size | $768m✓ | $572m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | −$13m | $22m✓ |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.28% | 0.07%✓ |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −0.3%✓ | −5.5% |
| 1 year | +1.8%✓ | −1.2% |
| 3 years p.a. | +8.0% | +17.1%✓ |
| 5 years p.a. | +3.9% | +8.4%✓ |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,181✓ | $9,880 |
| 5 years ago | $12,089 | $14,966✓ |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
What $10,000 invested is worth now
$10,000 put into AMVE 5 years ago is worth $12,089 today, against $14,966 in GEAR. That is $2,877 more in GEAR.
Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
What the fees cost you
AMVE's lower fee leaves about $16,035 more in your pocket over 20 years.
Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.
Get the full AMVE vs GEAR report
- Every holding of each ETF: the top 50 companies, with sectors and countries
- Exactly which companies they share, and how much of each
- Fees in dollars over 10, 20 and 30 years
- Every metric side by side, including the index each tracks
- ★ FREE BONUSIs now a good time to invest? The Market Health-O-Meter
FAQs
Which is better, AMVE or GEAR?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers AMVE wins on 5 measures and GEAR on 5. AMVE is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.55% vs 0.80%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $16,035. AMVE is the larger fund at $768m vs $572m. AMVE has the better 1-year return: +1.8% vs −1.2%.
Which is cheaper, AMVE or GEAR?
AMVE charges 0.55% a year and GEAR charges 0.80% a year.
Can I hold both AMVE and GEAR?
You can, but check how much they overlap. AMVE is a Australian shares fund and GEAR is a Australian shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.