7 Low-Cost Index Funds and 7 Low-Cost Index ETFs for September 2025
Low-cost index funds and ETFs make high expense ratios a thing of the past.
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Managing Editor 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 for September 2025
The lowest-cost index fund may not be the best-performing index fund. When 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 Sept. 10, 2025, and is intended for informational purposes only, not for trading purposes. | ||
Top-rated low-cost index ETFs for September 2025
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 Sept. 10, 2025, and is intended for informational purposes only, not for trading purposes. | ||
» Ready to get started? See our roundup of the best online brokers for ETF investing.
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