Best ETFs to Buy for 2026
Finding the best ETFs to buy requires balancing cost, diversification, liquidity, and alignment with your investment goals. Whether you are a beginner building your first portfolio or an experienced investor optimizing your allocation, the ETF market offers thousands of options across asset classes, sectors, and strategies. The best ETFs combine low expense ratios, strong tracking efficiency, ample liquidity, and broad diversification to serve as dependable core portfolio holdings.
VOO from Vanguard is widely regarded as one of the best single-fund investments available, tracking the S&P 500 at a minuscule 0.03% expense ratio. VTI, also from Vanguard, goes even broader by covering the entire US stock market including small and mid-cap companies. For growth-tilted exposure, QQQ from Invesco tracks the Nasdaq-100 and has been one of the best-performing major ETFs over the past decade, driven by heavy technology and innovation weightings.
The best ETF for your portfolio depends on your specific circumstances. Are you focused on long-term growth, current income, capital preservation, or a combination? Do you want US-only exposure or global diversification? Are you looking for a single core holding or a satellite fund to complement existing positions? This page ranks the largest and most popular ETFs across all categories, giving you a comprehensive starting point for building or refining your investment portfolio.
How We Rank
ETFs are ranked by assets under management (AUM). Only ETFs with $1000M+ in assets are included. Data is updated daily.
| # | Symbol | Fund Name | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VTI | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | $2.10T |
| 2 | VOO | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | $1.50T |
| 3 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | $733.16B |
| 4 | SPY | State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | $677.71B |
| 5 | VXUS | Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | $606.20B |
| 6 | QQQ | Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | $392.45B |
| 7 | BND | Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | $389.20B |
| 8 | VUG | Vanguard Growth ETF | $349.90B |
| 9 | VEA | Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | $287.00B |
| 10 | VTV | Vanguard Value ETF | $227.40B |
| 11 | VO | Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | $202.90B |
| 12 | GLD | SPDR Gold Shares | $179.80B |
| 13 | IEFA | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | $172.91B |
| 14 | VB | Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | $169.10B |
| 15 | VWO | Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | $151.80B |
| 16 | IEMG | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $140.35B |
| 17 | AGG | iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | $139.38B |
| 18 | VGT | Vanguard Information Technology ETF | $130.30B |
| 19 | VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | $121.50B |
| 20 | IWF | iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | $117.01B |
| 21 | BNDX | Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | $115.40B |
| 22 | IJH | iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | $106.69B |
| 23 | SPYM | State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | $106.65B |
| 24 | SPLG | SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | $95.72B |
| 25 | IJR | iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | $92.06B |
What to Look For
Start with the expense ratio — over decades, even small fee differences compound into significant amounts. For core holdings, look for expense ratios below 0.10%. Tracking error measures how closely the ETF follows its index, and the best funds have negligible drift. Bid-ask spread and average daily volume indicate liquidity and trading costs.
Consider the fund's index methodology, number of holdings, and sector diversification. Larger AUM generally correlates with better liquidity and lower trading costs. Also evaluate the fund provider's reputation and operational track record, as ETF management quality affects tax efficiency and tracking precision over time.
Which ETFs to Buy Is Best for You?
VOO is the quintessential core holding and the single best ETF for most investors. Its exposure to 500 of America's largest companies at a 0.03% expense ratio makes it the ultimate set-and-forget investment. The S&P 500 has delivered roughly 10% average annual returns over long periods, and VOO captures this performance with near-perfect tracking efficiency.
VTI goes one step further by covering the entire US stock market — over 3,600 stocks including small and mid-caps that the S&P 500 misses. At the same 0.03% expense ratio, VTI offers maximum US equity diversification. The performance difference between VOO and VTI is minimal over time, but VTI appeals to investors who want complete market coverage in a single fund.
QQQ is the best ETF for investors seeking growth-oriented exposure to America's most innovative companies. Heavy weightings in technology, communication services, and consumer discretionary give QQQ a high-growth, high-quality profile. Its higher concentration and growth tilt mean more volatility than VOO or VTI, but the Nasdaq-100's track record of outperformance has made QQQ one of the most popular ETFs in the world.