QUAL vs QSML: 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 10 of 10 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $12,584 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 QSML side by side
| QUAL leads on 10, QSML on 0 | QUALVanEck MSCI International Quality ETF | QSMLVanEck MSCI International Small Companies Quality ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | MSCI World ex Australia Quality Index | MSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Quality 150 Index |
| Fund manager | VanEck | VanEck |
| Asset class | International shares | International shares |
| Listed | Oct 2014 | Mar 2021 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.40%✓ | 0.59% |
| AUMfund size | $9.2bn✓ | $1.6bn |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $195m✓ | $0.0m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.04%✓ | 0.06% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | +2.9%✓ | −1.2% |
| 1 year | +10.1%✓ | −1.4% |
| 3 years p.a. | +16.1%✓ | +10.4% |
| 5 years p.a. | +11.4%✓ | +7.1% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $11,006✓ | $9,858 |
| 5 years ago | $17,148✓ | $14,090 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
QUAL 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 · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
$10,000 put into QUAL 5 years ago is worth $17,148 today, against $14,090 in QSML. That is $3,058 more in QUAL.
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 $12,584 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.
QUAL and QSML overlap
0 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.
Add more ETFs and see the overlap in Compare ETFs →
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.
Get the full QUAL vs QSML 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 QSML?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers QUAL wins on 10 measures and QSML on 0. QUAL is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.40% vs 0.59%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $12,584. QUAL is the larger fund at $9.2bn vs $1.6bn. QUAL has the better 1-year return: +10.1% vs −1.4%.
Which is cheaper, QUAL or QSML?
QUAL charges 0.40% a year and QSML charges 0.59% a year.
Can I hold both QUAL and QSML?
You can, but check how much they overlap. QUAL is a international shares fund and QSML is a international shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.