This is analysis, not personalized investment advice. Do your own homework before making decisions.
All three funds do essentially the same thing: give you broad exposure to international developed markets. The differences are marginal — expense ratio, coverage breadth, and tracking methodology. For most investors, VXUS is the best pick because it has the lowest expense ratio (0.07%), covers both developed and emerging markets for true global diversification, and has the largest AUM among international ETFs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | VXUS (Vanguard) | IXUS (iShares) | VEA (Vanguard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticker | VXUS | IXUS | VEA |
| Sponsor | Vanguard | BlackRock (iShares) | Vanguard |
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.22% | 0.05% |
| AUM | ~$70B+ | ~$15B | ~$100B+ |
| Coverage | Developed + Emerging | Developed only | Developed only |
| # of Holdings | ~7,800 | ~1,600 | ~3,900 |
| Distribution | Quarterly | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception | 2011 | 2013 | 2007 |
| Tax treatment | Foreign tax credit eligible | Foreign tax credit eligible | Foreign tax credit eligible |
Verify current data with fund sponsors. Numbers change daily.
The key takeaway
All three funds track international developed markets, but VXUS is the only one that includes emerging markets. That makes it the most complete single-fund solution for global diversification. VEA has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.05% vs 0.07%), but the difference is negligible — on a $100,000 position it's only $2/year. IXUS is essentially a duplicate of VEA with a higher expense ratio and no clear advantage.
If you want one fund that covers the entire international market (developed + emerging), VXUS is the answer. If you specifically want developed markets only and care about every basis point, VEA's 0.05% is fractionally cheaper. But for most investors building a simple five-fund portfolio, VXUS's broader coverage makes it the better choice.
Who should use what
VXUS — One fund, full global coverage. Simplest path to international diversification.
VEA — Slightly lower cost if you want to exclude emerging markets by choice.
Not recommended — Same coverage as VEA but higher cost. No clear advantage.
For more detail on each fund, see the individual pages: VXUS, IXUS, VEA.
Data sources: Expense ratios from issuer websites and SEC filings (EDGAR). Yield data from fund fact sheets. Last verified: June 02, 2026. Fund metrics change over time — always verify current figures at the sources above before making investment decisions.