# ACWI alternatives: 8 similar ETFs compared

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

The ETFs most like ACWI are VT, URTH and AVGE. VT, URTH and AVGE hold stocks all over the world, the US included, like ACWI. VT costs less: 0.06% a year against 0.32%.

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 ACWI: 3 of the same kind and 5 related funds.
- ACWI charges 0.32% a year (about $32 on $10,000). The cheapest alternative here, ITOT, charges 0.03%.
- VT moved most like ACWI: 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.

## ACWI alternatives at a glance

Each fund below can stand in for ACWI, 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **ACWI** | This fund | 0.32% | $32 | MSCI All Country World Index (Net) |
| [VT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vt.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.06% | $6 | FTSE Global All Cap Index |
| [URTH](https://tactfolio.com/etf/urth.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.24% | $24 | MSCI World Index (Net) |
| [AVGE](https://tactfolio.com/etf/avge.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.23% | $23 | No index |
| [ITOT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/itot.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | S&P Total Market Index (TMI) |
| [SCHB](https://tactfolio.com/etf/schb.md) | Related fund | 0.03% | $3 | Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index |
| [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 |
| [IXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ixus.md) | Related fund | 0.07% | $7 | MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net) |

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

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

Each row measures the alternative and ACWI 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 ACWI | Per year | ACWI per year | Worst drop | ACWI worst drop | Since |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [VT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vt.md) | 1.00 | 8.8% | 8.6% | −50.3% | −51.6% | June 2008 |
| [URTH](https://tactfolio.com/etf/urth.md) | 0.99 | 12.1% | 11.3% | −34.0% | −33.5% | January 2012 |
| [AVGE](https://tactfolio.com/etf/avge.md) | 0.96 | 20.3% | 20.7% | −17.1% | −16.6% | September 2022 |
| [ITOT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/itot.md) | 0.97 | 11.8% | 8.4% | −51.5% | −56.3% | March 2008 |
| [SCHB](https://tactfolio.com/etf/schb.md) | 0.97 | 14.2% | 10.6% | −35.3% | −33.5% | November 2009 |
| [VEU](https://tactfolio.com/etf/veu.md) | 0.92 | 5.3% | 8.4% | −59.2% | −56.3% | March 2008 |
| [VXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vxus.md) | 0.92 | 6.5% | 10.2% | −36.0% | −33.5% | January 2011 |
| [IXUS](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ixus.md) | 0.92 | 7.7% | 11.3% | −36.2% | −33.5% | October 2012 |

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 ACWI alternative, compared

### VT: Vanguard Total World Stock ETF

VT also holds stocks all over the world, the US included. It tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index (Net).

It charges 0.06% a year, about $6 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 10,185 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From June 2008 to October 2026, VT returned about 8.8% a year and ACWI returned about 8.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 1.00).

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

### URTH: iShares MSCI World ETF

URTH also holds stocks all over the world, the US included. It tracks the MSCI World Index (Net), while ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index (Net).

It charges 0.24% a year, about $24 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 1,252 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From January 2012 to October 2026, URTH returned about 12.1% a year and ACWI returned about 11.3% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.99).

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

### AVGE: Avantis All Equity Markets ETF

AVGE also holds stocks all over the world, the US included. It tracks no index (its managers pick what it holds), while ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index (Net).

It charges 0.23% a year, about $23 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 14 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From September 2022 to October 2026, AVGE returned about 20.3% a year and ACWI returned about 20.7% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.96).

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

### ITOT: iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF

ITOT is a looser match. It holds nearly every US stock, big and small, in one fund, while ACWI holds stocks all over the world, the US included.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 2,446 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From March 2008 to October 2026, ITOT returned about 11.8% a year and ACWI returned about 8.4% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.97).

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

### SCHB: Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF

SCHB is a looser match. It holds nearly every US stock, big and small, in one fund, while ACWI holds stocks all over the world, the US included.

It charges 0.03% a year, about $3 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 2,409 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From November 2009 to October 2026, SCHB returned about 14.2% a year and ACWI returned about 10.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.97).

Read the [SCHB fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/schb.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 ACWI holds stocks all over the world, the US included.

It charges 0.04% a year, about $4 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 3,810 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From March 2008 to October 2026, VEU returned about 5.3% a year and ACWI returned about 8.4% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.92).

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 ACWI holds stocks all over the world, the US included.

It charges 0.05% a year, about $5 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 8,740 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From January 2011 to October 2026, VXUS returned about 6.5% a year and ACWI returned about 10.2% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.92).

Read the [VXUS fund page](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vxus.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 ACWI holds stocks all over the world, the US included.

It charges 0.07% a year, about $7 on $10,000, against $32 for ACWI. It held 4,584 stocks, against 2,197 for ACWI.

From October 2012 to October 2026, IXUS returned about 7.7% a year and ACWI returned about 11.3% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.92).

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

## ACWI versions from other fund companies

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

- **Vanguard:** [VT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vt.md), Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (same kind of fund, 0.06% a year)
- **Avantis Investors (American Century):** [AVGE](https://tactfolio.com/etf/avge.md), Avantis All Equity Markets ETF (same kind of fund, 0.23% a year)
- **Schwab:** [SCHB](https://tactfolio.com/etf/schb.md), Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (related fund, 0.03% 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 ACWI 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, ACWI costs about $32 a year. ITOT costs about $3.
- **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 ACWI 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 VT, URTH or AVGE, 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 ACWI 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 ACWI and VT, 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 ACWI. 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 ACWI 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 ACWI 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.
- [Portfolio rebalancing](https://tactfolio.com/learn/portfolio-rebalancing): What portfolio rebalancing is, why a 60/40 mix drifts, calendar vs threshold methods, and how taxes and costs fit in.
- [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 ACWI?

VT is the closest. VT also holds stocks all over the world, the US included. It tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index (Net). Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together.

### Is there a cheaper alternative to ACWI?

Yes. ITOT charges 0.03% a year, SCHB charges 0.03% a year and VEU charges 0.04% a year, against 0.32% for ACWI. On $10,000 that is about $3 a year instead of $32.

### Is ACWI or VT better?

Neither is better for everyone. From June 2008 to October 2026, ACWI returned about 8.6% a year and VT returned about 8.8% a year. ACWI charges 0.32% a year and VT charges 0.06%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

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

It would have grown to about $32,734 by October 16, 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is about 12.6% a year. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

## Sources

- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares MSCI ACWI ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239600/ishares-msci-acwi-etf)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard Total World Stock ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vt)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares MSCI World ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239696/ishares-msci-world-etf)
- [Avantis Investors (American Century): Avantis All Equity Markets ETF fund page](https://www.avantisinvestors.com/avantis-investments/en-us/avantis-all-equity-markets-etf/)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239724/ishares-core-s-p-total-u-s-stock-market-etf)
- [Schwab: Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1454889/000110465926020685/tm266454-1_497k.htm)
- [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 Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/244048/ishares-core-msci-total-international-stock-etf)
- [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.