What are the top US stock market ETFs by assets?

The top US stock market ETFs by assets include funds like SPY (SPDR S&P 500), IVV (iShares Core S&P 500), and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market), which track major indexes and have the largest asset bases.

How are these ETFs ranked in the top 10 list?

They are ranked by total assets under management (AUM), reflecting the amount of investor capital held in each ETF.

What is the difference between ETFs like VTI and SPY?

VTI tracks the entire US stock market (large, mid, and small caps), while SPY tracks only the S&P 500 (large caps), so VTI offers broader diversification.

Are these top ETFs suitable for long-term investing?

Yes, they are popular for long-term investing due to low expense ratios, diversification, and passive tracking of broad market indexes.

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Top 10 US Stock Market ETFs by Assets

The US equity ETF market offers thousands of choices, but the largest ETFs by assets under management dominate trading volume and attract the most capital from retail and institutional investors. Understanding the top 10 stock market ETFs by size is essential for diversified portfolio building—these mega-cap funds typically offer lower expense ratios, tighter spreads, and the most liquidity. From broad-based S&P 500 trackers to specialized sector funds, the largest stock ETFs command hundreds of billions in assets and shape market dynamics. This guide breaks down the 10 biggest US stock market ETFs by AUM, examining what makes them cornerstone holdings for millions of investors.

Location: US2026191 viewsJul 17, 2026 Updated Sep 7, 2026

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#1
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)
SPY is the most liquid equity instrument globally, with 80M+ shares traded daily. Launched in 1993 as the very first US ETF, it holds $590B in AUM under State Street management. Despite a higher expense ratio of 0.0945%, SPY's unparalleled liquidity outperforms VOO and ensures minimal bid-ask spreads for high-frequency traders and institutions.
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#2
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)
Managed by BlackRock, it holds $510B in AUM and is preferred by institutional investors for near-perfect tracking accuracy. With annual tracking error below 0.02% and daily volume of 5M+ shares.
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#3
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
VOO is the largest ETF in the world by AUM at $1.1T, reflecting Jack Bogle's passive investing legacy. Its 0.03% expense ratio matches IVV, but VOO's $260B in net inflows over the past decade exceeds SPY by 40%. Ideal for long-term retail investors, VOO delivered a 13.5% annualized return since 2010 versus 12.8% for the typical large-cap fund.
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#4
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
VTI provides the broadest US equity exposure with 3,800+ stocks across capitalizations, capturing 100% of the US stock market. Since 2010, VTI's 0.99 correlation with the market beats the 0.95 average for multi-cap funds, and its $1.2 annual dividend per share adds income appeal.
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#5
Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) delivers unmatched concentration in mega-cap tech, with $290 billion in assets under management tracking the Nasdaq-100. Its heaviest weighting in FANG+ stocks — including Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia — gives it a 32% higher exposure to the technology sector than the typical S&P 500 ETF. Since inception in 1999, it has delivered a cumulative return exceeding 500%, driven by tech innovation.
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#6
iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH)
The iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) offers global diversification with $4 billion in AUM, spanning 1,600+ stocks from 23 developed countries. Over the last five years, URTH has returned 8.7% annually, underperforming the US-centric IVV by 2.3 percentage points, highlighting the trade-off between diversification and domestic growth.
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#7
iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)
The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) shattered records by amassing $40 billion in AUM within its first year — the fastest growth of any ETF ever, outpacing VOO's launch pace by a factor of three. Managed by BlackRock and launched in January 2024 after SEC approval, it became the quickest ETF to hit $10 billion, achieving this milestone in just 48 trading days. Since inception, IBIT has delivered a 42% gain, eclipsing the 6.8% return of SPY over the same period, though with significantly higher volatility.
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#8
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND)
The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is the cornerstone of fixed income, with $110 billion in AUM across 10,000+ US investment-grade bonds. This broad exposure spans government and corporate bonds, with 70% allocated to Treasuries and agency securities for stability.
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#9
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) leads as the premier gold ETF, commanding $60 billion in assets under management since its 2004 launch. Storing over 930 tonnes of physical gold in HSBC's London vaults, it provides a direct hedge against inflation and market volatility, with gold rising 12% year-to-date. Compared to ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), GLD offers a far more stable store of value, outperforming the average equity ETF in downside protection during recessions.
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#10
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK)
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) serves as a high-risk barometer for speculative growth, holding $8 billion in assets with Tesla as its top position. Despite a severe 75% drawdown from its February 2021 peak through 2022, ARKK still attracts investors chasing disruptive tech returns, though its annualized volatility of 38% far exceeds the category average. Compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), ARKK lost 65% more value in 2022, highlighting its extreme sensitivity to interest rate shifts.
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