iShares vs SPDR
Both providers track indices, so neither "performs" better than the other — what separates them is cost, range and which markets they actually cover. iShares has 64 products in this catalog and SPDR has 19, overlapping in 8 categories. Neither one wins outright: they split the 8 shared categories evenly.
iShares
- Products
- 64
- Lowest TER
- 0.07%
- Average TER
- 0.40%
- Categories
- 13
SPDR
- Products
- 19
- Lowest TER
- 0.03%
- Average TER
- 0.23%
- Categories
- 8
Which one is cheaper, and where
A tie: they split the 8 categories both cover evenly.
The cheapest fund from each, category by category
Each provider’s lowest-fee product within every shared category, head to head. The index each one tracks is shown too, because two funds in the same category do not always track the same thing.
| Category | iShares | SPDR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic | iShares Automation & RoboticsiSTOXX FactSet Automation & Robotics0.40% | SPDR MSCI World TechnologyMSCI World Information Technology0.30% | €10/year per €10,000 |
| Global | iShares Core MSCI WorldMSCI World0.20% | SPDR MSCI WorldMSCI World0.12% | €8/year per €10,000 |
| Fixed income | iShares Core € Govt BondBloomberg Euro Treasury0.07% | SPDR Bloomberg Euro Government BondBloomberg Euro Government Bond0.15% | €8/year per €10,000 |
| Europe | iShares Core FTSE 100FTSE 1000.07% | SPDR MSCI EuropeMSCI Europe0.12% | €5/year per €10,000 |
| Small Caps | iShares MSCI World Small CapMSCI World Small Cap0.35% | SPDR Russell 2000 US Small CapRussell 20000.30% | €5/year per €10,000 |
| USA | iShares Core S&P 500S&P 5000.07% | SPDR S&P 500S&P 5000.03% | €4/year per €10,000 |
| Emerging | iShares Core MSCI EM IMIMSCI Emerging Markets IMI0.18% | SPDR MSCI Emerging MarketsMSCI Emerging Markets0.20% | €2/year per €10,000 |
| Dividends | iShares MSCI Europe Quality Dividend Advanced (Dist)MSCI Europe High Dividend Yield Advanced Select0.28% | SPDR S&P Euro Dividend AristocratsS&P Euro High Yield Dividend Aristocrats0.30% | €2/year per €10,000 |
What each one covers
Only at iShares
Only at SPDR
—
Structural differences
iShares
- Accumulating
- 41%
- Physical replication
- 100%
- Are ETFs
- 97%
- Domicile
- Ireland, Germany
SPDR
- Accumulating
- 74%
- Physical replication
- 100%
- Are ETFs
- 100%
- Domicile
- Ireland
Other provider comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is iShares or SPDR cheaper?+
It depends on the category — they tie overall, each offering the cheapest fund in 4 of the 8 categories both cover. Compare the specific category you want rather than the provider as a whole.
Where is the difference between iShares and SPDR biggest?+
In a specific thematic sector: iShares Automation & Robotics charges 0.40% against 0.30% for SPDR MSCI World Technology. On €10,000 invested that is a €10.00 difference every year, in favour of SPDR.
Which one has the wider range?+
iShares, with 64 products against 19. Coverage is not identical either: iShares covers the technology sector, the Japanese market, sustainable (ESG) criteria, listed real estate, gold where SPDR does not.
Are there structural differences beyond fees?+
Yes. iShares's products in this catalog are 41% accumulating and 100% physically replicated, domiciled in Ireland, Germany. SPDR's are 74% accumulating and 100% physical, domiciled in Ireland. For a Spanish investor the accumulating/distributing split matters for tax, and domicile matters for dividend withholding.
Does this comparison look at past performance?+
No, deliberately. Two funds tracking the same index deliver almost identical returns before fees, so comparing their past returns tells you about the index, not about the provider. The fee is the part the provider actually controls, and the only one you know for certain the day you invest.
Cost and coverage comparison computed over this site’s catalog, which is a sample and not each provider’s full product range. Returns are not compared: two funds tracking the same index perform almost identically before fees, so past performance tells you about the index, not the provider. Educational content, not a recommendation.