QUAL vs L1IF: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
QUAL comes out ahead on 7 of 7 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $50,215 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.
QUAL vs L1IF side by side
| QUAL leads on 7, L1IF on 0 | QUALVanEck MSCI International Quality ETF | L1IFL1 Capital International (Unhedged) Active ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | MSCI World ex Australia Quality Index | See the PDS |
| Fund manager | VanEck | L1 Capital |
| Asset class | International shares | International shares |
| Listed | Oct 2014 | Nov 2023 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.40%✓ | 1.20% |
| AUMfund size | $9.2bn✓ | $489m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $195m✓ | −$0.7m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.04%✓ | 0.39% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | +2.9%✓ | −2.9% |
| 1 year | +10.1%✓ | −5.7% |
| 3 years p.a. | +16.1% | – |
| 5 years p.a. | +11.4% | – |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $11,006✓ | $9,433 |
| 5 years ago | $17,148 | – |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
QUAL vs L1IF 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 · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
Only QUAL has a 5 years record: $10,000 then is worth $17,148 today.
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
QUAL's lower fee leaves about $50,215 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 QUAL vs L1IF 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, QUAL or L1IF?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers QUAL wins on 7 measures and L1IF on 0. QUAL is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.40% vs 1.20%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $50,215. QUAL is the larger fund at $9.2bn vs $489m. QUAL has the better 1-year return: +10.1% vs −5.7%.
Which is cheaper, QUAL or L1IF?
QUAL charges 0.40% a year and L1IF charges 1.20% a year.
Can I hold both QUAL and L1IF?
You can, but check how much they overlap. QUAL is a international shares fund and L1IF is a international shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.