💰 ETF Expense Ratio Calculator
See the REAL cost of expense ratios over time. That 0.09% vs 0.03% difference? It could cost you $45,000+ over 30 years.
Why Expense Ratios Matter More Than You Think
Most investors ignore expense ratios because they seem tiny. "0.09%? That's nothing!" But compounded over decades, these "tiny" fees can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from your retirement.
The Compounding Effect
Expense ratios don't just reduce your returns once—they reduce them every single year, and you lose the compounding growth on that money forever.
⚠️ The $100K Example
$100,000 invested for 30 years at 10% annual return:
- 0.03% fee (VOO): Final value = $1,638,254
- 0.09% fee (SPY): Final value = $1,594,890
- → Difference: $43,364 lost to fees!
Common ETF Expense Ratios
| ETF | Expense Ratio | Cost per $10K/year |
|---|---|---|
| VOO, VTI, AGG | 0.03% | $3 |
| SPY | 0.09% | $9 |
| QQQ, XLK, IWM | 0.10-0.20% | $10-$20 |
| EFA | 0.32% | $32 |
| EEM | 0.68% | $68 |
| Active Mutual Funds | 0.50-1.50% | $50-$150 |
How to Minimize Fees
Choose Vanguard or similar low-cost providers
VOO (0.03%) instead of SPY (0.09%) saves you $43K over 30 years on $100K
Avoid actively managed funds
Average 1%+ fees with worse performance than passive index funds
Watch international ETFs
EFA (0.32%) vs VEA (0.05%) - that's a $121K difference over 30 years!
Use our Battle tool
Compare fees across similar ETFs instantly - see the winner in seconds
Real-World Examples
SPY vs VOO: The $43K Mistake
Both track the S&P 500 identically, but SPY charges 0.09% while VOO charges 0.03%.
$100K investment over 30 years:
Same holdings, massive difference
EFA vs VEA: The $121K Difference
Both track international developed markets. EFA charges 0.32%, VEA charges 0.05%.
$100K over 30 years with VEA:
Both from reputable issuers, nearly identical holdings
Active Funds: The Half-Million Dollar Scam
A typical active mutual fund charges 1.00% vs VOO's 0.03%.
$100K over 30 years:
⚠️ And 90% of active funds underperform their index anyway!
💡 Pro Tip
Every 0.10% in fees costs you roughly $50,000 per $100K invested over 30 years. So a 0.90% difference (active fund vs index fund) = $450K+ lost. Choose wisely.
Tools to Help You Save
- Battle Tool: Compare ETFs head-to-head, fees are a major scoring factor
- Comparison Pages: See exact expense ratios and holdings overlap
- This Calculator: Model your specific situation with real numbers
Compare ETF Fees Head-to-Head
See which ETF wins on fees, diversification, and 5 other key metrics.
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