VBAL vs VDBA vs DBBF vs IBAL - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VBAL, VDBA, DBBF, and IBAL. IBAL has the lowest management fee at 0.22% a year, VDBA has the highest 5 years return at 4.5% a year, and VDBA offers the highest at 5.17%.

Lowest fee

IBAL 0.22% p.a.

Highest 5 years return

VDBA 4.5% p.a.

Highest yield

VDBA 5.17%

Highest risk-adjusted

VDBA Sharpe 0.71 (3y)

Lowest volatility

VDBA 7.4% (5y)

Largest fund

VDBA $927m

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VBAL VanEck Core+ Diversified Balanced Active ETF	VDBA Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF	DBBF BetaShares Ethical Diversified Balanced ETF	IBAL iShares Balanced ESG ETF
Snapshot
Provider	VanEck	Vanguard	BetaShares	iShares
Tracks index	—	—	—	—
Categories	AU, Intl, Active	AU, Intl, Market-Cap	AU, Intl, ESG	AU, Intl, ESG
Listed since	—	2017 (9 yrs)	—	—
Fund size (AUM)	$1m	$927m	$33m	$25m
Cost & income
Management fee	0.39%	0.27%	0.39%	0.22%
Dividend yield	—	5.17%	3.11%	2.67%
Franking	10%	35%	20%	15%
Turnover	35%	8%	15%	15%
Tax drag	0.84%	1.32%	1.17%	1.1%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	—	6.5% net	1.1% net	4.4% net
3-year return	—	8.6% net	6.5% net	9% net
5-year return	—	4.5% net	2.8% net	—
10-year return	—	—	—	—
Risk
Volatility (3y)	—	6.2%	7.2%	6.8%
Volatility (5y)	—	7.4%	8.5%	—
Volatility (10y)	—	—	—	—
Sharpe ratio (3y)	—	0.71	0.34	0.71
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	0.2	—	—
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	—	—	—
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

VBAL VanEck Core+ Diversified Balanced Active ETF

Low-cost: a 0.39% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: IBAL and VDBA.

Full VBAL analysis →

VDBA Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.27% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 5.17% income yield.

Cheaper alternatives exist: IBAL.

Full VDBA analysis →

DBBF BetaShares Ethical Diversified Balanced ETF

Low-cost: a 0.39% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Has lagged most peers over 1 year (240th of 308).

Full DBBF analysis →

IBAL iShares Balanced ESG ETF

Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Low volatility (6.8% over 3 years) for a smoother ride.

Full IBAL analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VBAL vs VDBA vs DBBF vs IBAL?

VBAL, VDBA, DBBF, and IBAL are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. IBAL carries the lowest management fee (0.22%). Over 5 years, VDBA has delivered the highest total return (4.5% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - VBAL vs VDBA vs DBBF vs IBAL?

IBAL has the lowest management fee at 0.22% a year, versus VBAL 0.39%, VDBA 0.27%, and DBBF 0.39%.

Which has performed highest - VBAL vs VDBA vs DBBF vs IBAL?

Over the past 5 years, VDBA has delivered the highest total return at 4.5% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

VDBA pays the highest at 5.17%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

VDBA is the largest fund by assets ($927m). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

VDBA vs VDGR VDBA vs VDCO VDBA vs VDHG VDBA vs GROW DBBF vs GROW IBAL vs GROW

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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.