Hydrogen exchange-traded funds (ETFs) enable investors to play the potential boom in this low-emissions fuel. Several forecasters see hydrogen growing into a more than $1 trillion market, which could fuel lots of growth for companies focused on the sector.
Picking the right hydrogen stock to play this growth opportunity might not be easy. Potential mismanagement or financial issues could cause a leading hydrogen company to underperform its promise and rivals.
That's why investors might want to consider investing in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on the hydrogen stock market sector to gain broader exposure to the entire trend. Here's a look at the best hydrogen ETFs to consider buying.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
Best Hydrogen ETFs for 2025
There's currently only one pure-play sector ETF focused on hydrogen after other hydrogen funds liquidated and closed. Additionally, some clean energy ETFs hold hydrogen stocks in addition to alternative energy stocks.
Here's a closer look at the top ETFs to buy for investors seeking focused exposure to the hydrogen sector.
1. Global X Hydrogen ETF
NASDAQ: HYDR
Key Data Points
The Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR +4.13%) was formed in 2021. The hydrogen ETF only had about $35 million in assets under management (AUM) as of mid-2025. The passively managed ETF aims to track the performance of the Solactive Global Hydrogen index.
The ETF invests in companies that will benefit from the growth of the hydrogen industry, including those involved in its production, the integration of the fuel into energy systems, and the development and manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyzers, and other technologies related to using hydrogen.
The ETF held 25 hydrogen stocks in mid-2025, led by:
- Plug Power (PLUG +2.26%): 18.3% of the fund's holdings.
- Bloom Energy (BE +8.84%): 17.2%
- Doosan Fuel Cell: 8.7%
- SFC Energy: 6.1%
- Ceres Power Holdings: 5.3%
It provides investors with broad exposure to hydrogen stocks for a reasonable ETF expense ratio of 0.5%.
2. First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund
NASDAQ: QCLN
Key Data Points
The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN +2.51%) tracks companies focused on clean energy. This includes companies engaged in the advanced materials (e.g., lithium and carbon capture), energy intelligence (e.g., smart meters), renewable energy (e.g., solar and wind), and energy storage and conversion (e.g., hydrogen) markets. The fund formed in 2007 and had about $423 million in AUM as of mid-2025.
The fund had 47 holdings, led by some notable names in the clean energy space among its top 10, including First Solar (FSLR +5.42%), MP Materials (MP +3.27%), and Tesla (TSLA -3.36%). It also counts hydrogen fuel cell company Bloom Energy (BE +8.84%) as one of its 10 largest holdings (5% allocation).
This ETF provides broad exposure to the top clean energy stocks for a reasonable cost (0.56% ETF expense ratio).
Related investing topics
Should I buy hydrogen ETFs?
There are many reasons to consider buying a hydrogen ETF, including:
- Gaining broad exposure to the top stocks in this potentially massive industry.
- Passive investment in a fund instead of actively managing a portfolio of hydrogen stocks.
- Preventing the potential pitfalls of being right on the investment thesis (hydrogen demand will grow exponentially) but selecting the wrong investment vehicle to express that view (e.g., a stock underperforming due to mismanagement or financial issues).
- Aligning your portfolio with your environmental values.
Investors who want to go the ETF route have a couple of options to consider.
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