7 Low-Cost Index Funds and 7 Low-Cost Index ETFs

Low-cost index funds and ETFs make high expense ratios a thing of the past.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.


The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

Updated
Profile photo of Alana Benson
Written by Alana Benson
Lead Writer
Profile photo of Pamela de la Fuente
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Looking to invest in a diversified fund without a steep price tag? Look no further than low-cost index funds and ETFs. These funds offer a basket of securities for a very minimal fee.

» Learn more about index funds vs. ETFs

Top-rated low-cost index funds

The lowest-cost index fund may not be the best-performing index fund. en evaluating index funds, consider other factors, such as market capitalization and sector focus. It’s also important to remember that past performance does not indicate future performance.

Ticker

Fund name

Expense ratio

FXAIX

Fidelity 500 Index

0.015%

FSKAX

Fidelity Total Market Index

0.015%

SWPPX

Schwab S&P 500 Index

0.02%

WFSPX

iShares S&P 500 Index

0.03%

SWTSX

Schwab Total Stock Market Index

0.03%

VFIAX

Vanguard 500 Index

0.04%

VIGAX

Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares

0.05%

Source: Morningstar. Data is current as of Dec. 2, 2024, and is intended for informational purposes only, not for trading purposes.

Top-rated low-cost index ETFs

Some of the cheapest index funds out there are actually exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs often track indexes just like index funds do, but they tend to have lower investment minimums (the amount of money you have to have in order to start investing in a fund). They also tend to have slightly lower expense ratios.

Ticker

Fund name

Expense ratio

BKLC

BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF

0.00%

SPLG

SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF

0.02%

BBUS

JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF

0.02%

IVV

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

0.03%

VTI

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

0.03%

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

0.03%

SFY

SoFi Select 500 ETF

0.05%

Source: Morningstar. Data is current as of Dec. 2, 2024, and is intended for informational purposes only, not for trading purposes.

On this page

    MORE LIKE THISInvestingFunds
    Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
    Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.
    Nerdwallet advisors logo

    Get matched to a financial advisor for free with NerdWallet Advisors Match.

    Illustration
    Advertisement