International exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a smart addition to any well-balanced portfolio. An international ETF is a listed fund that holds stocks from countries outside the U.S.
While U.S. stocks have outperformed over the past decade, that hasn’t always been the case. Savvy investors often keep some exposure to international ETFs to hedge against periods when domestic markets fall behind.
You can also look back to the so-called “lost decade” from 1999 to 2009, when international stocks solidly outperformed U.S. equities.
You don’t need to buy individual foreign stocks, American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), which can come with complexity and higher costs. International equity ETFs handle the heavy lifting for you and usually come with lower fees than the mutual funds many investors used in the past.
Here’s a look at some of the top international equity ETF picks available today.
The best international ETFs in 2026
What’s best will depend on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment goals -- but virtually all investors are well served by broad diversification, low fees, and tax efficiency.
The following international ETFs offer solid exposure, strong liquidity, and reasonable costs, making them smart building blocks for global diversification.
1. Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
NASDAQ: VXUS
Key Data Points
The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS -1.59%) is the “buy-it-all” option for international exposure. It tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex-US Index, covering more than 8,600 stocks across small-, mid-, and large-cap companies from both developed and emerging markets. As the name suggests, it captures the other 40% of global equities that U.S.-focused indexes like the S&P 500 leave out.
This ETF has underperformed U.S. stocks over the past decade, with a 10-year annualized return of 8.54%, but past performance doesn’t predict the future. With a low 0.05% expense ratio, it has few structural headwinds for long-term investors looking for global diversification.
2. Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF
NYSEMKT: VSS
Key Data Points
Most international ETFs are market-cap-weighted, meaning larger companies make up a bigger portion of the fund. This provides stability but can limit growth potential since small-cap stocks tend to be riskier but offer higher expected returns over time. If you want to tilt toward international small caps, the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS -2.29%) is a solid option.
It tracks the FTSE Global Small Cap ex-US index, holding more than 4,800 global small-cap stocks with a median market cap of $2.1 billion. You can expect more volatility compared to large-cap international ETFs, and performance has reflected that -- it has returned 7.51% annualized over the past 10 years. Still, it’s affordably priced with a 0.08% expense ratio.
3. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
NYSEMKT: IEFA
Key Data Points
You can break international markets down not just by country but also by classification -- developed or emerging. Developed markets typically have more mature economies, stable political systems, and well-regulated financial markets.
The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA -0.90%) covers this segment by tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index, which holds more than 2,600 stocks from developed markets across Europe, Australasia, and the Far East -- hence the EAFE acronym. That includes countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia. This ETF has delivered a 10-year annualized return of 8.29% and charges a low expense ratio of 0.07%.
4. SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF
NYSEMKT: SPEM
Key Data Points
The counterpart to developed markets are emerging markets -- countries with growing but less mature economies, often marked by faster GDP growth, less stable political systems, and less developed financial infrastructure. For exposure to this group, you can complement a fund like the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF with the SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM -2.03%), which tracks more than 3,000 holdings through the S&P® Emerging BMI index. This includes major emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico.
Emerging markets have been laggards over the past decade, with this ETF posting a 10-year annualized return of 8.62%. But that backward-looking performance shouldn't stop you from considering a forward-looking allocation -- just a 10% position in emerging markets can offer strong diversification benefits. It also keeps costs low with a 0.07% expense ratio.
5. Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF
Related investing topics
Should I invest in international ETFs?
Investing in international ETFs is about balance, not chasing returns. The biggest reason to include them is diversification. When you hold stocks from outside your home market, you reduce your exposure to a single economy or currency.
If the U.S. stumbles, international equities -- especially from regions like Europe or Asia -- can offset some of that weakness. They also give you access to different sectors, consumer trends, and economic cycles that may not exist domestically.
Another advantage is valuation. Many international markets currently trade at lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios than North American equities, meaning investors may be getting more earnings for each dollar invested. Combined with a weaker U.S. dollar, that could support stronger relative returns over time.
However, there are trade-offs. International ETFs add currency risk, since foreign currencies fluctuate against the dollar. Economic and political instability in certain regions can also create volatility, and growth in many developed markets outside North America tends to be slower.
Overall, international ETFs make sense for most long-term investors who want broad, global diversification. A reasonable target is to allocate roughly 30% to 40% of your equity portfolio to international markets. That level keeps your portfolio globally balanced without overexposing you to foreign risks.
How to choose the best international ETF
Start by defining the exposure you want. Some investors prefer a single-country ETF, others target a specific region such as Europe or Asia, and some want broad exposure to everything outside the U.S. Being clear on this upfront helps narrow choices quickly and avoids unintended overlap.
Once exposure is defined, decide between passive indexing and active management. Passive ETFs track an index and tend to offer lower fees, greater transparency, and predictable exposure. Actively managed ETFs aim to outperform by selecting securities, but typically come with higher costs and manager risk.
Liquidity and fees are critical. Look at the expense ratio and the 30-day median bid-ask spread. These together represent the ongoing and transaction costs of owning the ETF. International ETFs, especially those targeting smaller markets, can have wider spreads than U.S. funds.
Finally, determine how the ETF fits into your broader portfolio. Decide how much of your total allocation you want in international equities, what role the ETF plays in diversification, and how often you plan to rebalance. Having a long-term plan reduces reactive decision-making when markets move.
