SMLL vs MVS: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
SMLL comes out ahead on 8 of 10 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $6,688 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.
SMLL vs MVS side by side
| SMLL leads on 8, MVS on 2 | SMLLBetashares Australian Small Companies Select ETF | MVSVanEck Small Companies Masters ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | See the PDS | MarketGrader Australia Small Cap 60 Index |
| Fund manager | Betashares | VanEck |
| Asset class | Australian shares | Australian shares |
| Listed | Apr 2017 | May 2015 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.39%✓ | 0.49% |
| AUMfund size | $369m✓ | $186m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | −$13m | $0.0m✓ |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.38% | 0.15%✓ |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −0.4%✓ | −3.0% |
| 1 year | +4.3%✓ | −2.1% |
| 3 years p.a. | +13.6%✓ | +9.8% |
| 5 years p.a. | +4.7%✓ | +2.3% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,433✓ | $9,788 |
| 5 years ago | $12,610✓ | $11,215 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
SMLL vs MVS 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 SMLL 5 years ago is worth $12,610 today, against $11,215 in MVS. That is $1,395 more in SMLL.
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
SMLL's lower fee leaves about $6,688 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.
SMLL and MVS overlap
27 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 SMLL | % of MVS |
|---|---|---|
| 2.08% | 1.86% | |
| 3.27% | 1.71% | |
| 2.79% | 1.67% | |
| 1.98% | 1.58% | |
| 3.20% | 1.57% | |
| 1.56% | 1.61% | |
| 1.70% | 1.54% | |
| 2.06% | 1.50% | |
| 2.21% | 1.47% | |
| 2.74% | 1.46% | |
| 1.42% | 1.97% | |
| 1.32% | 1.76% |
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 SMLL vs MVS 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, SMLL or MVS?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers SMLL wins on 8 measures and MVS on 2. SMLL is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.39% vs 0.49%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $6,688. SMLL is the larger fund at $369m vs $186m. SMLL has the better 1-year return: +4.3% vs −2.1%.
Which is cheaper, SMLL or MVS?
SMLL charges 0.39% a year and MVS charges 0.49% a year.
Can I hold both SMLL and MVS?
You can, but check how much they overlap. SMLL is a Australian shares fund and MVS is a Australian shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.