# SCHF alternatives: 8 similar ETFs compared

> ETFs similar to SCHF, closest first, with each fund's fee, what it tracks, and returns and worst drops on the same dates as SCHF. Updated daily.

The ETFs most like SCHF are VEA, IEFA and EFA. VEA, IEFA and EFA hold stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe, like SCHF.

Written by [the Tactfolio research team](https://tactfolio.com/about/editorial-policy). Fund facts checked October 17, 2026. Prices through October 16, 2026.

## Key points

- 8 funds can stand in for SCHF: 3 of the same kind and 5 related funds.
- SCHF charges 0.03% a year (about $3 on $10,000).
- VEA moved most like SCHF: a daily correlation of 1.00 over about the last five years.
- Returns and drops for each pair use the same dates for both funds.

## SCHF alternatives at a glance

Each fund below can stand in for SCHF, closest first. "Same kind" funds hold the same kind of stocks through a different index. "Related" funds make a different bet that often moves the same way.

| ETF | How close | Yearly fee | Fee on $10,000 | Tracks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **SCHF** | This fund | 0.03% | $3 | FTSE Developed ex US Index |
| [VEA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEA.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.03% | $3 | FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index |
| [IEFA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IEFA.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.07% | $7 | MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net) |
| [EFA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/EFA.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.32% | $32 | MSCI EAFE Index (Net) |
| [IXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IXUS.md) | Related fund | 0.07% | $7 | MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net) |
| [VEU](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEU.md) | Related fund | 0.04% | $4 | FTSE All-World ex US Index |
| [VXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VXUS.md) | Related fund | 0.05% | $5 | FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index |
| [EFV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/EFV.md) | Related fund | 0.31% | $31 | MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net) |
| [IVAL](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVAL.md) | Related fund | 0.38% | $38 | No index |

Fees come from each fund company, checked on the dates shown on each fund's page.

## How SCHF and its alternatives did over the same dates

Each row measures the alternative and SCHF on the days both traded, so neither gets a head start. Correlation shows how closely their daily moves matched over about the last five years. A value of 1 means they always moved together.

| ETF | Moves with SCHF | Per year | SCHF per year | Worst drop | SCHF worst drop | Since |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [VEA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEA.md) | 1.00 | 7.6% | 7.5% | −35.7% | −34.9% | November 2009 |
| [IEFA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IEFA.md) | 0.99 | 8.3% | 8.4% | −34.8% | −34.9% | October 2012 |
| [EFA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/EFA.md) | 0.99 | 7.1% | 7.5% | −34.2% | −34.9% | November 2009 |
| [IXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IXUS.md) | 0.99 | 7.7% | 8.4% | −36.2% | −34.9% | October 2012 |
| [VEU](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEU.md) | 0.98 | 7.1% | 7.5% | −35.0% | −34.9% | November 2009 |
| [VXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VXUS.md) | 0.98 | 6.5% | 7.1% | −36.0% | −34.9% | January 2011 |
| [EFV](https://tactfolio.com/etf/EFV.md) | 0.95 | 7.0% | 7.5% | −43.2% | −34.9% | November 2009 |
| [IVAL](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVAL.md) | 0.87 | 6.7% | 8.3% | −46.1% | −34.9% | December 2014 |

Prices through October 16, 2026. Figures use daily closing prices adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. They do not include taxes or the cost of buying and selling. Past results do not tell you what will happen next.

## Each SCHF alternative, compared

### VEA: Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

VEA also holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe. It tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex US Index.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 3,903 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From November 2009 to October 2026, VEA returned about 7.6% a year and SCHF returned about 7.5% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

Read the [VEA fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEA.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### IEFA: iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

IEFA also holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe. It tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex US Index.

It charges 0.07% a year, about $7 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 2,626 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From October 2012 to October 2026, IEFA returned about 8.3% a year and SCHF returned about 8.4% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.99).

Read the [IEFA fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IEFA.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### EFA: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

EFA also holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe. It tracks the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex US Index.

It charges 0.32% a year, about $32 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 657 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From November 2009 to October 2026, EFA returned about 7.1% a year and SCHF returned about 7.5% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.99).

Read the [EFA fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/EFA.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### IXUS: iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

IXUS is a looser match. It holds stocks in almost every country outside the US, rich and emerging, while SCHF holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe.

It charges 0.07% a year, about $7 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 4,584 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From October 2012 to October 2026, IXUS returned about 7.7% a year and SCHF returned about 8.4% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.99).

Read the [IXUS fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IXUS.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### VEU: Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

VEU is a looser match. It holds stocks in almost every country outside the US, rich and emerging, while SCHF holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe.

It charges 0.04% a year, about $4 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 3,810 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From November 2009 to October 2026, VEU returned about 7.1% a year and SCHF returned about 7.5% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.98).

Read the [VEU fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEU.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### VXUS: Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

VXUS is a looser match. It holds stocks in almost every country outside the US, rich and emerging, while SCHF holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe.

It charges 0.05% a year, about $5 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 8,740 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From January 2011 to October 2026, VXUS returned about 6.5% a year and SCHF returned about 7.1% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.98).

Read the [VXUS fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VXUS.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### EFV: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF

EFV is a looser match. It holds stocks outside the US that look cheap compared with their earnings and assets, while SCHF holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe.

It charges 0.31% a year, about $31 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 395 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From November 2009 to October 2026, EFV returned about 7.0% a year and SCHF returned about 7.5% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.95).

Read the [EFV fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/EFV.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

### IVAL: Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF

IVAL is a looser match. It holds stocks outside the US that look cheap compared with their earnings and assets, while SCHF holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe.

It charges 0.38% a year, about $38 on $10,000, against $3 for SCHF. It held 50 stocks, against 1,480 for SCHF.

From December 2014 to October 2026, IVAL returned about 6.7% a year and SCHF returned about 8.3% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.87).

Read the [IVAL fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVAL.md) for its returns by year and worst drop.

## SCHF versions from other fund companies

Some people keep all their funds with one company. Here is the closest fund to SCHF from each other company on this page:

- **Vanguard:** [VEA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/VEA.md), Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (same kind of fund, 0.03% a year)
- **iShares (BlackRock):** [IEFA](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IEFA.md), iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (same kind of fund, 0.07% a year)
- **Alpha Architect:** [IVAL](https://tactfolio.com/etf/IVAL.md), Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (related fund, 0.38% a year)

Most brokers let you buy any ETF, whoever runs it. Mutual fund versions, such as a fund company's index mutual fund, are not listed here.

## How to choose between SCHF and its alternatives

- **What it tracks.** A fund on the same index holds the same stocks. A different index can mean different weights, more or fewer holdings, or a different mix.
- **The fee.** The difference is often small. On $10,000, SCHF costs about $3 a year.
- **History.** An older fund has been through more bad markets, so you can see how far it fell.
- **What you already own.** Two funds that move together add little variety. A fund with a low correlation behaves more on its own.

## Swapping SCHF to harvest a tax loss

Some investors sell a fund at a loss to lower their taxes, then buy a similar fund so they stay invested. This is called tax-loss harvesting.

The IRS wash sale rule blocks the loss if you buy a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after the sale. The IRS has not said exactly when two funds count. Funds on the same index are more likely to. Funds on a different index, such as VEA, IEFA or EFA, are less likely to.

Ask a tax professional before you rely on this. Read the IRS rules in [Publication 550](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p550).

## Test SCHF and its alternatives in a backtest

Tactfolio is a platform where you build rules-based investing strategies, backtest them on decades of real prices, share them, and run them automatically in your own Alpaca account. Open the [builder](https://tactfolio.com/builder), add SCHF and VEA, and see how each would have done on the same dates, or how a mix of both would have done.

## The details

Alternatives are picked from facts, not from returns. First come funds that track the same index as SCHF. Then come funds that hold the same kind of stocks through another index. Last come funds from a close category that make a different bet. Leveraged funds are only listed as alternatives to other leveraged funds.

Within each group, the funds whose daily returns moved most like SCHF over about the last five years come first. Returns and worst drops use Tactfolio's stored daily prices, adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. Each alternative is measured with SCHF only on days both traded. Read [what a backtest simulates](https://tactfolio.com/docs/backtests.md) for more on these measures.

## Research and test it

- [What is an ETF](https://tactfolio.com/learn/what-is-an-etf): An ETF is a fund that trades like a stock. Learn how ETFs work, what they cost, the main types, and the risks, with SEC sources.
- [Momentum strategy](https://tactfolio.com/learn/momentum-strategy): A momentum strategy buys recent winners by a written rule.
- [ETF screener](https://tactfolio.com/screener.md): A free ETF screener for 162 US-listed funds. Filter by type, issuer and fee, sort by returns or worst drop, and compare funds side by side.
- [ETF expense ratio](https://tactfolio.com/learn/etf-expense-ratio): What an ETF expense ratio is, how the fund charges it, and how 0.03% vs 1% adds up over 10 and 30 years, with real fund examples.
- [Backtest a portfolio](https://tactfolio.com/trading-tools/backtest-portfolio): Backtest a portfolio of US stocks and ETFs. Enter tickers and shares, pick when to rebalance, and get the results with a link to share.
- [Backtesting](https://tactfolio.com/backtesting): Free backtesting software for stocks, ETFs, and crypto perps.

## Common questions

### What ETF is most similar to SCHF?

VEA is the closest. VEA also holds stocks in developed countries outside the US, such as Japan, the UK and Europe. It tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex US Index. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together.

### Is there a cheaper alternative to SCHF?

Not among the funds here. SCHF charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, which is as low as or lower than each alternative listed.

### Is SCHF or VEA better?

Neither is better for everyone. From November 2009 to October 2026, SCHF returned about 7.5% a year and VEA returned about 7.6% a year. SCHF charges 0.03% a year and VEA charges 0.03%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

### What if I had put $10,000 in SCHF 10 years ago?

It would have grown to about $25,726 by October 16, 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is about 9.9% a year. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

## Sources

- [Schwab: Schwab International Equity ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1454889/000110465926020707/tm266454-7_497k.htm)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vea)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/244049/ishares-core-msci-eafe-etf)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares MSCI EAFE ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239623/ishares-msci-eafe-etf)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/244048/ishares-core-msci-total-international-stock-etf)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/veu)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard Total International Stock ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vxus)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239628/ishares-msci-eafe-value-etf)
- [Alpha Architect: Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF fund page](https://funds.alphaarchitect.com/ival/)
- [IRS Publication 550: wash sales](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p550)

> Not financial advice. Tactfolio is a research and automation tool. It is not a broker or a financial adviser. This page is for education only. Backtests are hypothetical. They show how rules would have done on past prices, not how they will do. All investing involves risk, including losing the money you put in.