Compare index funds and ETFs on cost, tax efficiency, trading flexibility, and minimum investments. Discover which passive investment vehicle suits your portfolio.
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Expense ratios are often nearly identical for equivalent index funds and ETFs from the same provider. ETFs may have a slight edge because they tend to have no minimum investment and can be more tax-efficient due to in-kind creation and redemption mechanisms.
Some brokerages now support fractional shares and automatic ETF purchases, but index mutual funds have traditionally been easier to automate with fixed-dollar recurring investments. Check your broker for specific ETF automation features.
ETFs are generally more tax-efficient in taxable accounts because their structure minimizes capital gains distributions. Index mutual funds may trigger taxable events when other investors redeem shares, making ETFs the preferred choice for non-retirement accounts.
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