Best Growth ETFs for 2026
Growth ETFs invest in companies exhibiting above-average revenue and earnings growth, typically including technology leaders, innovative disruptors, and companies with strong competitive advantages that allow them to compound earnings at high rates. Growth investing has been one of the most successful styles over the past decade, driven by secular trends in technology adoption, digital transformation, and the dominance of platform-based business models.
VUG from Vanguard tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, offering broad exposure to large-cap growth stocks at Vanguard's characteristically low expense ratio. IWF from iShares tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index and is one of the most popular growth ETFs with excellent liquidity and options market depth. SCHG from Schwab tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index and provides competitive growth exposure at the lowest expense ratio among major growth funds.
Growth stocks tend to outperform during periods of low interest rates and strong economic expansion, but they can underperform significantly when rates rise or when the market rotates toward value and defensive sectors. Growth ETFs typically have higher price-to-earnings multiples and lower dividend yields than the overall market, reflecting the premium investors pay for superior earnings growth potential. Understanding these dynamics and maintaining a long-term perspective is essential for growth ETF investors.
How We Rank
ETFs are ranked by assets under management (AUM). Only ETFs with $50M+ in assets are included. Data is updated daily.
| # | Symbol | Fund Name | AUM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VUG | Vanguard Growth ETF | $349.90B |
| 2 | IWF | iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | $117.01B |
| 3 | IVW | iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF | $64.45B |
| 4 | SCHG | Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | $49.83B |
| 5 | SPYG | State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | $43.86B |
| 6 | VBK | Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | $40.00B |
| 7 | MGK | Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF | $31.80B |
| 8 | VOT | Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF | $31.70B |
| 9 | IUSG | iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | $27.24B |
| 10 | SDY | State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | $21.22B |
| 11 | RDVY | First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | $20.22B |
| 12 | CGGR | Capital Group Growth ETF | $20.03B |
| 13 | IWP | iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF | $18.99B |
| 14 | IWY | iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF | $15.55B |
| 15 | IWO | iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF | $12.36B |
| 16 | SDVY | First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | $10.05B |
| 17 | IJK | iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF | $9.59B |
| 18 | EFG | iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF | $9.38B |
| 19 | CGGO | Capital Group Global Growth Equity ETF | $9.03B |
| 20 | CGUS | Capital Group Core Equity ETF | $8.85B |
| 21 | JGRO | JPMorgan Active Growth ETF | $8.34B |
| 22 | ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | $6.97B |
| 23 | IJT | iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF | $6.56B |
| 24 | DIVO | Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF | $6.52B |
| 25 | TCAF | T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF | $6.37B |
What to Look For
Compare the index methodology, as different growth indices use different criteria to classify stocks as growth — some focus on earnings growth rates, while others use revenue growth, momentum, or a combination. This leads to different holdings and sector weights. Expense ratios for major growth ETFs are very low, ranging from 0.04% to 0.20%.
Check the concentration in top holdings, as growth ETFs tend to be dominated by a handful of mega-cap tech stocks. Also compare the overlap with broad market ETFs you already own — adding a growth ETF to a portfolio that already holds QQQ or a large S&P 500 position may create excessive tech concentration.
Which Growth ETFs Is Best for You?
VUG is an excellent core growth holding with broad exposure to over 200 large-cap growth stocks at a low expense ratio of about 0.04%. Its holdings span the major growth sectors including technology, consumer discretionary, and healthcare. VUG strikes a good balance between concentration in top performers and diversification across the growth universe.
IWF tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index, one of the most widely followed growth benchmarks in the industry. With strong liquidity and a deep options market, IWF is popular with both long-term holders and active traders. Its holdings are similar to VUG but with slightly different weights due to index methodology differences.
SCHG from Schwab offers the lowest expense ratio among major growth ETFs at around 0.04%, making it the most cost-effective choice for long-term investors. Its performance closely mirrors VUG and IWF, and the choice between them often comes down to brokerage preference and tax lot considerations rather than meaningful investment differences.