Grow it · ETFs

BGBL vs HGBL vs VGAD vs VGS

Compare fees, returns, income and risk for these 4 ASX-listed ETFs side by side.

At a glance

Comparing BGBL, HGBL, VGAD, and VGS. BGBL has the lowest management fee at 0.08% a year, VGS has the highest 10 years return at 13.8% a year, and VGAD offers the highest at 2.42%.
Lowest fee
BGBL 0.08% p.a.
Highest 10 years return
VGS 13.8% p.a.
Highest yield
VGAD 2.42%
Highest risk-adjusted
VGS Sharpe 1.05 (10y)
Lowest volatility
VGS 10.9% (10y)
Largest fund
VGS $50.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric BGBL
BetaShares Global Shares ETF
HGBL
BetaShares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF
VGAD
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF
VGS
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
Snapshot
Provider
BetaShares
BetaShares
Vanguard
Vanguard
Tracks index
Solactive GBS Developed Markets Large & Mid Cap Index
Solactive GBS Developed Markets Large & Mid Cap Index (AUD Hedged)
MSCI World ex Australia Index (AUD Hedged)
MSCI World ex Australia Index
Categories
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since
2021 (5 yrs)
2021 (5 yrs)
2014 (12 yrs)
2014 (12 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)
$4.7bn
$2.7bn
$7.4bn
$50.2bn
Cost & income
Management fee
0.08%
0.11%
0.22%
0.18%
Dividend yield
1.17%
1.23%
2.42%
1.28%
Franking
0%
0%
0%
0%
Turnover
5%
5%
5%
3%
Tax drag 0.49% 0.51% 0.89% 0.48%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
10.7%
net
20.6%
net
19.9%
net
10.5%
net
3-year return
16.9%
net
17.9%
net
17.5%
net
16.7%
net
5-year return
10.9%
net
12.3%
net
10-year return
12.4%
net
13.8%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
9.9%
11.4%
11.5%
9.9%
Volatility (5y)
14.2%
11.1%
Volatility (10y)
14%
10.9%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
1.23
1.15
1.11
1.2
Sharpe ratio (5y)
0.58
0.83
Sharpe ratio (10y)
0.75
1.05
Bid/ask spread

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

BGBL BetaShares Global Shares ETF
  • Top-20% returns over 3 years (45th of 226 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.08% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
HGBL BetaShares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF
  • Top-15% returns over 1 year (45th of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.11% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL.
VGAD Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF
  • Top-16% returns over 1 year (48th of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL, IHVV, and HGBL.
VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
  • Top-14% returns over 5 years (27th of 188 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.18% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL and IWLD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between BGBL vs HGBL vs VGAD vs VGS?

BGBL, HGBL, VGAD, and VGS are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. BGBL carries the lowest management fee (0.08%). Over 10 years, VGS has delivered the highest total return (13.8% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - BGBL vs HGBL vs VGAD vs VGS?

BGBL has the lowest management fee at 0.08% a year, versus HGBL 0.11%, VGAD 0.22%, and VGS 0.18%.

Which has performed highest - BGBL vs HGBL vs VGAD vs VGS?

Over the past 10 years, VGS has delivered the highest total return at 13.8% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

VGAD pays the highest at 2.42%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

VGS is the largest fund by assets ($50.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.

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