# SOXX alternatives: 8 similar ETFs compared

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

The ETFs most like SOXX are SMH, XLK and FTEC. SMH holds companies that design and make computer chips, like SOXX.

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 SOXX: 1 of the same kind and 7 related funds.
- SOXX charges 0.33% a year (about $33 on $10,000). The cheapest alternative here, XLK, charges 0.08%.
- SMH moved most like SOXX: a daily correlation of 0.99 over about the last five years.
- Returns and drops for each pair use the same dates for both funds.

## SOXX alternatives at a glance

Each fund below can stand in for SOXX, 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **SOXX** | This fund | 0.33% | $33 | NYSE Semiconductor Index |
| [SMH](https://tactfolio.com/etf/smh.md) | Same kind of fund | 0.35% | $35 | MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index |
| [XLK](https://tactfolio.com/etf/xlk.md) | Related fund | 0.08% | $8 | Technology Select Sector Index |
| [FTEC](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ftec.md) | Related fund | 0.084% | $8.40 | MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index |
| [VGT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vgt.md) | Related fund | 0.09% | $9 | MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index |
| [IYW](https://tactfolio.com/etf/iyw.md) | Related fund | 0.37% | $37 | Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index |
| [QQQM](https://tactfolio.com/etf/qqqm.md) | Related fund | 0.15% | $15 | Nasdaq-100 Index |
| [QQQ](https://tactfolio.com/etf/qqq.md) | Related fund | 0.18% | $18 | Nasdaq-100 Index |
| [ONEQ](https://tactfolio.com/etf/oneq.md) | Related fund | 0.21% | $21 | Nasdaq Composite Index |

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

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

Each row measures the alternative and SOXX 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 SOXX | Per year | SOXX per year | Worst drop | SOXX worst drop | Since |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [SMH](https://tactfolio.com/etf/smh.md) | 0.99 | 14.1% | 13.6% | −71.1% | −70.2% | July 2001 |
| [XLK](https://tactfolio.com/etf/xlk.md) | 0.91 | 12.1% | 13.6% | −57.6% | −70.2% | July 2001 |
| [FTEC](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ftec.md) | 0.90 | 21.7% | 28.3% | −34.9% | −45.8% | October 2013 |
| [VGT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vgt.md) | 0.90 | 14.8% | 15.8% | −54.6% | −66.8% | January 2004 |
| [IYW](https://tactfolio.com/etf/iyw.md) | 0.89 | 12.6% | 13.6% | −58.3% | −70.2% | July 2001 |
| [QQQM](https://tactfolio.com/etf/qqqm.md) | 0.88 | 16.5% | 29.4% | −35.0% | −45.8% | October 2020 |
| [QQQ](https://tactfolio.com/etf/qqq.md) | 0.88 | 12.5% | 13.6% | −54.3% | −70.2% | July 2001 |
| [ONEQ](https://tactfolio.com/etf/oneq.md) | 0.85 | 13.2% | 16.5% | −55.1% | −66.8% | October 2003 |

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 SOXX alternative, compared

### SMH: VanEck Semiconductor ETF

SMH also holds companies that design and make computer chips. It tracks the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while SOXX tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index.

It charges 0.35% a year, about $35 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX. It held 26 stocks, against 30 for SOXX.

From July 2001 to October 2026, SMH returned about 14.1% a year and SOXX returned about 13.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together (correlation 0.99).

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

### XLK: State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF

XLK is a looser match. It holds US technology companies, such as makers of chips, software and computers, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.08% a year, about $8 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX. It held 75 stocks, against 30 for SOXX.

From July 2001 to October 2026, XLK returned about 12.1% a year and SOXX returned about 13.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.91).

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

### FTEC: Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF

FTEC is a looser match. It holds US technology companies, such as makers of chips, software and computers, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.084% a year, about $8.40 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX. It held 282 stocks, against 30 for SOXX.

From October 2013 to October 2026, FTEC returned about 21.7% a year and SOXX returned about 28.3% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.90).

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

### VGT: Vanguard Information Technology ETF

VGT is a looser match. It holds US technology companies, such as makers of chips, software and computers, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.09% a year, about $9 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX. It held 318 stocks, against 30 for SOXX.

From January 2004 to October 2026, VGT returned about 14.8% a year and SOXX returned about 15.8% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.90).

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

### IYW: iShares U.S. Technology ETF

IYW is a looser match. It holds US technology companies, such as makers of chips, software and computers, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.37% a year, about $37 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX. It held 148 stocks, against 30 for SOXX.

From July 2001 to October 2026, IYW returned about 12.6% a year and SOXX returned about 13.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.89).

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

### QQQM: Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF

QQQM is a looser match. It holds the 100 biggest companies on the Nasdaq outside finance, many of them in technology, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.15% a year, about $15 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX.

From October 2020 to October 2026, QQQM returned about 16.5% a year and SOXX returned about 29.4% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.88).

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

### QQQ: Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1

QQQ is a looser match. It holds the 100 biggest companies on the Nasdaq outside finance, many of them in technology, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.18% a year, about $18 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX.

From July 2001 to October 2026, QQQ returned about 12.5% a year and SOXX returned about 13.6% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.88).

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

### ONEQ: Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF

ONEQ is a looser match. It holds the 100 biggest companies on the Nasdaq outside finance, many of them in technology, while SOXX holds companies that design and make computer chips.

It charges 0.21% a year, about $21 on $10,000, against $33 for SOXX. It held 1,032 stocks, against 30 for SOXX.

From October 2003 to October 2026, ONEQ returned about 13.2% a year and SOXX returned about 16.5% a year. Over about the last five years they moved together on most days (correlation 0.85).

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

## SOXX versions from other fund companies

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

- **VanEck:** [SMH](https://tactfolio.com/etf/smh.md), VanEck Semiconductor ETF (same kind of fund, 0.35% a year)
- **SPDR (State Street):** [XLK](https://tactfolio.com/etf/xlk.md), State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (related fund, 0.08% a year)
- **Fidelity:** [FTEC](https://tactfolio.com/etf/ftec.md), Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (related fund, 0.084% a year)
- **Vanguard:** [VGT](https://tactfolio.com/etf/vgt.md), Vanguard Information Technology ETF (related fund, 0.09% a year)
- **Invesco:** [QQQM](https://tactfolio.com/etf/qqqm.md), Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (related fund, 0.15% 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 SOXX 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, SOXX costs about $33 a year. XLK costs about $8.
- **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 SOXX 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 SMH, XLK or FTEC, 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 SOXX 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 SOXX and SMH, 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 SOXX. 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 SOXX 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 SOXX 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

- [S&P 500 index](https://tactfolio.com/learn/sp500-index): The S&P 500 tracks about 500 large US companies. Learn how stocks get in, how the index is weighted, how to invest in it, and how far it has fallen before.
- [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.
- [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 SOXX?

SMH is the closest. SMH also holds companies that design and make computer chips. It tracks the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while SOXX tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Over about the last five years they moved almost exactly together.

### Is there a cheaper alternative to SOXX?

Yes. XLK charges 0.08% a year, FTEC charges 0.084% a year and VGT charges 0.09% a year, against 0.33% for SOXX. On $10,000 that is about $8 a year instead of $33.

### Is SOXX or SMH better?

Neither is better for everyone. From July 2001 to October 2026, SOXX returned about 13.6% a year and SMH returned about 14.1% a year. SOXX charges 0.33% a year and SMH charges 0.35%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

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

It would have grown to about $148,497 by October 16, 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is about 31.0% a year. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.

## Sources

- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares Semiconductor ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239705/ishares-semiconductor-etf)
- [VanEck: VanEck Semiconductor ETF fund page](https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/investments/semiconductor-etf-smh/overview/)
- [SPDR (State Street): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF fund page](https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/state-street-technology-select-sector-spdr-etf-xlk)
- [Fidelity: Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/945908/000094590825000729/filing10088.htm)
- [Vanguard: Vanguard Information Technology ETF fund page](https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vgt)
- [iShares (BlackRock): iShares U.S. Technology ETF fund page](https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239522/ishares-u-s-technology-etf)
- [Invesco: Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF fund page](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1378872/000119312525325643/d54028d497k.htm)
- [Invesco: Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 fund page](https://www.invesco.com/us/financial-products/etfs/product-detail?audienceType=Investor&ticker=QQQ)
- [Fidelity: Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF fund page](https://institutional.fidelity.com/app/proxy/content?literatureURL=%2F9871761.PDF)
- [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.