βš”οΈ Head to head

IFRA vs VBLD: Which ETF Is Better?

A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.

IFRA comes out ahead on 6 of 9 measures. Which matters most depends on you.

The big difference is currency. IFRA is currency hedged, so its returns ignore moves in the Australian dollar. VBLD is unhedged: it does better when the dollar falls and worse when it rises.

The short answer

πŸ’ΈLower feeIFRA wins
IFRA
0.20%
VBLD
0.47%

Worth about $18,401 on $100,000 over 20 years.

🏦Bigger fundIFRA wins
IFRA
$2.1bn
VBLD
$648m

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

πŸ“ˆ1-year returnIFRA wins
IFRA
+5.3%
VBLD
βˆ’0.8%
πŸ“Š3-year returnIFRA wins
IFRA
+12.1% a yr
VBLD
+9.5% a yr
🏁5-year returnVBLD wins
IFRA
+5.3% a yr
VBLD
+6.0% a yr
βš–οΈCheaper to tradeToo close to call
IFRA
0.07%
VBLD
0.07%

IFRA vs VBLD side by side

IFRA leads on 6, VBLD on 3IFRAVanEck FTSE Global Infrastructure (AUD Hedged) ETFVBLDVanguard Global Infrastructure Index ETF
The basics
Index trackedFTSE Developed Core Infrastructure 50/50 Index, hedged to AUDFTSE Developed Core Infrastructure Index
Fund managerVanEckVanguard
Asset classProperty & infrastructureProperty & infrastructure
ListedMay 2016Oct 2018
Cost and size
MERyearly fee, lower is better0.20%βœ“0.47%
AUMfund size$2.1bnβœ“$648m
Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month$56mβœ“$18m
Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better0.07%0.07%
Total returns
1 monthβˆ’5.3%βˆ’3.1%βœ“
1 year+5.3%βœ“βˆ’0.8%
3 years p.a.+12.1%βœ“+9.5%
5 years p.a.+5.3%+6.0%βœ“
$10,000 invested
1 year ago$10,530βœ“$9,919
5 years ago$12,942$13,353βœ“

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

IFRA vs VBLD 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 IFRA 5 years ago is worth $12,942 today, against $13,353 in VBLD. That is $411 more in VBLD.

IFRAVBLD$10,000 invested
$0k$4k$8k$12k$16k$10.5k$9.9k1 year agoIFRA +$611$14.1k$13.1k3 years agoIFRA +$962$12.9k$13.4k5 years agoVBLD +$411

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

IFRA's lower fee leaves about $18,401 more in your pocket over 20 years.

IFRA charges 0.20% a yearVBLD charges 0.47% a year
🧾 Fees paid on $100,000Saving
5 years
IFRA
βˆ’$1,306
VBLD
βˆ’$3,053
You keep$1,748more with IFRA
10 years
IFRA
βˆ’$3,646
VBLD
βˆ’$8,472
You keep$4,826more with IFRA
20 years
IFRA
βˆ’$14,212
VBLD
βˆ’$32,613
You keep$18,401more with IFRA

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.

IFRA and VBLD overlap

85%portfolio overlap (very high: holding both adds little diversification)

139 companies appear in both funds. Overlap is the share of the portfolio that is the same in both, counting the smaller weight of each shared company.

Biggest shared holdings% of IFRA% of VBLD
4.78%5.55%
3.96%5.66%
3.28%3.35%
3.02%3.12%
2.77%3.64%
2.57%2.68%
2.28%2.91%
2.20%2.67%
2.15%2.27%
2.12%3.03%
1.78%1.87%
1.75%2.66%

Add more ETFs and see the overlap in Compare ETFs β†’

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.

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

Which is better, IFRA or VBLD?

It depends on what you need. On our numbers IFRA wins on 6 measures and VBLD on 3. IFRA is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.20% vs 0.47%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $18,401. IFRA is the larger fund at $2.1bn vs $648m. IFRA has the better 1-year return: +5.3% vs βˆ’0.8%.

Which is cheaper, IFRA or VBLD?

IFRA charges 0.20% a year and VBLD charges 0.47% a year.

Can I hold both IFRA and VBLD?

You can, but check how much they overlap. IFRA is a property & infrastructure fund and VBLD is a property & infrastructure fund.

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Add more ETFs to this comparison β†’

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