βš”οΈ Head to head

HYGG vs QSML: 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

πŸ’ΈLower feeQSML wins
HYGG
0.70%
QSML
0.59%

Worth about $7,093 on $100,000 over 20 years.

🏦Bigger fundHYGG wins
HYGG
$3.4bn
QSML
$1.6bn

Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.

πŸ“ˆ1-year returnQSML wins
HYGG
βˆ’5.9%
QSML
βˆ’1.4%
πŸ“Š3-year returnHYGG wins
HYGG
+20.9% a yr
QSML
+10.4% a yr
🏁5-year returnHYGG wins
HYGG
+8.9% a yr
QSML
+7.1% a yr
βš–οΈCheaper to tradeQSML wins
HYGG
0.23%
QSML
0.06%

A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.

HYGG vs QSML side by side

HYGG leads on 5, QSML on 5HYGGHyperion Global Growth Companies Fund - Active ETFQSMLVanEck MSCI International Small Companies Quality ETF
The basics
Index trackedSee the PDSMSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Quality 150 Index
Fund managerHyperionVanEck
Asset classInternational sharesInternational shares
ListedMar 2021Mar 2021
Cost and size
MERyearly fee, lower is better0.70%0.59%βœ“
AUMfund size$3.4bnβœ“$1.6bn
Net flows (Sep)new money in, last monthβˆ’$36m$0.0mβœ“
Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better0.23%0.06%βœ“
Total returns
1 month+5.1%βœ“βˆ’1.2%
1 yearβˆ’5.9%βˆ’1.4%βœ“
3 years p.a.+20.9%βœ“+10.4%
5 years p.a.+8.9%βœ“+7.1%
$10,000 invested
1 year ago$9,409$9,858βœ“
5 years ago$15,300βœ“$14,090

βœ“ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.

HYGG vs QSML price chart

Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions Β· TradingView

πŸ“ˆ Growth

What $10,000 invested is worth now

$10,000 put into HYGG 5 years ago is worth $15,300 today, against $14,090 in QSML. That is $1,210 more in HYGG.

HYGGQSML$10,000 invested
$0k$5k$10k$15k$20k$9.4k$9.9k1 year agoQSML +$449$17.7k$13.5k3 years agoHYGG +$4,215$15.3k$14.1k5 years agoHYGG +$1,210

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.

πŸ’Έ Cost

What the fees cost you

QSML's lower fee leaves about $7,093 more in your pocket over 20 years.

HYGG charges 0.70% a yearQSML charges 0.59% a year
🧾 Fees paid on $100,000Saving
5 years
HYGG
βˆ’$4,528
QSML
βˆ’$3,824
You keep$704more with QSML
10 years
HYGG
βˆ’$12,497
QSML
βˆ’$10,582
You keep$1,915more with QSML
20 years
HYGG
βˆ’$47,605
QSML
βˆ’$40,512
You keep$7,093more with QSML

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.

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Joshua Stega
etfadviserExchange traded fund specialist adviser Β· 20 years’ experience
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FAQs

Which is better, HYGG or QSML?

It depends on what you need. On our numbers HYGG wins on 5 measures and QSML on 5. QSML is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.59% vs 0.70%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $7,093. HYGG is the larger fund at $3.4bn vs $1.6bn. QSML has the better 1-year return: βˆ’1.4% vs βˆ’5.9%.

Which is cheaper, HYGG or QSML?

HYGG charges 0.70% a year and QSML charges 0.59% a year.

Can I hold both HYGG and QSML?

You can, but check how much they overlap. HYGG is a international shares fund and QSML is a international shares fund.

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General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.