Despite the rise of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds remain a staple investment option, with $25.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM) in 2023, according to Statista.
These funds continue to play a key role in retirement planning, particularly in workplace plans like 401(k)s, where they remain a cornerstone of long-term investing. Mutual funds run the gamut from tracking stock market indexes to following specific sectors, such as real estate, technology, or even cryptocurrency.
However, like any other investment product, there are both good and bad mutual funds. Understanding how they work, how to invest in them, their advantages, and potential drawbacks is essential for investors looking to make informed financial decisions.
6 top mutual funds for 2025
6 top mutual funds for 2025
With thousands of mutual funds on the market, narrowing down the best options can be overwhelming.
To help, we’ve selected six top mutual funds for 2025 based on key factors that make them attractive for long-term investors.
Each fund on this list has been chosen for its low investment minimums, low expense ratios, long track record, high diversification, and strong historical performance.
Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)
The Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) (NASDAQMUTFUND:FXAI.X) is one of the best low-cost mutual funds for broad market exposure.
Launched in 1988, this fund tracks the S&P 500 index, offering investors a simple, diversified way to invest in America’s largest companies.
One of this fund's biggest advantages is its extremely low expense ratio of just 0.015%, making it one of the cheapest index funds available. It also has no minimum investment requirement, allowing investors of all levels to participate.
Another reason to like this Fidelity fund is its tax efficiency, thanks to its low 3% turnover rate—meaning it rarely buys and sells stocks, which helps reduce taxable capital gains distributions.
Over the last 10 years, this mutual fund has delivered an annualized return of 12.97%.
Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)
The Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX) (NASDAQMUTFUND:FSKA.X) is a low-cost, highly diversified index fund designed to give investors exposure to the entire U.S. stock market.
Launched in 1997, this fund tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, making it a broader alternative to S&P 500-only funds.
Like the Fidelity 500 Index Fund, this Fidelity fund comes with a rock-bottom expense ratio of just 0.015% and has no minimum investment requirement, making it accessible to all investors.
It’s also tax-efficient, with a low 3% turnover rate, helping to minimize taxable capital gains distributions.
The key difference between this fund and the Fidelity S&P 500 fund is that this total market fund includes thousands of mid- and small-cap stocks, providing broader diversification beyond the largest U.S. companies.
Despite this broader exposure, it has still delivered a strong 10-year annualized return of 12.3%.
Schwab 1000 Index Fund (SNXFX)
The Schwab 1000 Index Fund (SNXFX) (NASDAQMUTFUND:SNXF.X) is a straightforward, low-cost mutual fund that provides exposure to the 1,000 largest U.S. stocks, weighted by market capitalization.
With coverage of roughly 90% of the total U.S. stock market, this Schwab fund provides broader diversification than S&P 500-only funds while maintaining the stability of larger, well-established companies.
The fund is also tax-efficient, with a 2.97% turnover rate, meaning minimal capital gains distributions.
It comes with a low 0.05% expense ratio and no minimum investment requirements, making it an affordable option.
Over the last 10 years, this mutual fund has delivered a 12.51% annualized return.
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX)
For low-cost international diversification, the Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) (NASDAQMUTFUND:VTIA.X) is one of the best options available.
This mutual fund tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, covering more than 8,500 stocks from both developed and emerging markets.
Like many Vanguard index funds, this fund is fairly tax-efficient, with a 3.4% turnover rate, reducing capital gains distributions.
However, it does require a $3,000 minimum investment, which may be an issue for smaller investors.
Over the last 10 years, this Vanguard fund has delivered a 5.02% annualized return -- a lower figure compared to U.S. stocks, as international markets have historically lagged behind.
Still, for those looking to balance their portfolio with global exposure, this fund remains a strong long-term option.
Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX)
For investors looking for one fund that covers the entire global stock market, the Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) (NASDAQMUTFUND:VTWA.X) is an excellent choice.
It tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, providing exposure to more than 9,800 stocks in the U.S., overseas, developed, and emerging markets, all in a single package.
Like many passive index funds, this Vanguard fund is designed to be tax-efficient, with a low 2.8% turnover rate, which helps minimize taxable distributions.
The expense ratio of just 0.09% also keeps costs low, making it one of the most affordable global stock funds available.
Over the last five years, this index fund has delivered an annualized return of 12.6%, benefiting from strong U.S. market performance while still providing broad international diversification.
However, like most Vanguard Admiral Shares funds, it requires a $3,000 minimum investment, which may be a barrier for some investors.
Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX)
The Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) (NASDAQMUTFUND:VWEL.X) is one of the most resilient and time-tested mutual funds available.
Launched in 1929, it has navigated almost a century of market cycles, delivering an 8.33% annualized return since inception.
This fund has survived and thrived through major financial crises, including the Great Depression, Black Monday in 1987, the dot-com bubble, the Great Recession, and the COVID-19 market crash.
Unlike traditional index funds, this Vanguard fund is actively managed and does not track a benchmark. Instead, it holds a carefully selected portfolio made up of two-thirds high-quality, dividend-paying stocks screened for value and stability, and one-third investment-grade bonds, providing a balance of growth and income.
This allocation helps the fund weather market downturns better than pure stock funds, making it a strong choice for investors who want lower volatility without sacrificing returns.
That said, this mutual fund isn’t the most tax-efficient option due to its mix of stocks and bonds, which can generate taxable distributions. And although its 0.26% expense ratio is reasonable for an actively managed fund, it’s higher than low-cost index funds. Like other Vanguard Admiral Shares funds, it has a $3,000 minimum investment requirement.
Related investing topics
Should I invest in mutual funds?
Should I invest in mutual funds?
Whether you should invest in mutual funds depends on what options you have available. If you’re investing through a 401(k) plan, mutual funds might be your only choice since many employer-sponsored plans don’t offer ETFs. In that case, mutual funds can still be a solid option for building long-term wealth.
However, if you’re investing in a self-directed brokerage account, there’s usually no compelling reason to choose mutual funds over ETFs -- unless there’s a specific strategy that appeals to you or you find a fund with ultra-low fees, like Fidelity’s zero-cost index funds. And for most investors, ETFs or mutual funds are a less risky, more accessible option than hedge fund investments.
In most cases, ETFs provide similar market exposure with added benefits, including intra-day trading flexibility, lower expense ratios, and better tax efficiency. For investors who prioritize cost and flexibility, ETFs are often the better choice.
FAQs
Investing in mutual funds FAQs
What is a mutual fund?
A mutual fund is a pooled investment vehicle that collects money from multiple investors to buy a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets.
How to invest in mutual funds?
You can invest in mutual funds through employer-sponsored retirement plans like a 401(k), directly from fund providers like Vanguard or Fidelity, or via a self-directed brokerage account.
Difference between an ETF and a mutual fund?
ETFs trade on exchanges like stocks with intra-day pricing, while mutual funds are bought and sold at the end-of-day net asset value (NAV) and often have higher fees.
What is considered a high price for mutual funds?
A high-cost mutual fund typically has an expense ratio above 1%, which can significantly eat into long-term returns.
What are the 4 types of mutual funds?
The four main types are equity funds (stocks), bond funds (fixed income), money market funds (low-risk cash equivalents), and balanced funds (a mix of stocks and bonds).
What is the risk level of mutual funds?
The risk level varies depending on the fund's holdings -- stock-based mutual funds carry higher risk, while bond and money market funds are generally more conservative.
