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The 10 Best Performing ETFs Over the Last 10 Years

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Updated as of August 18, 2025

In 2024, the ETF industry reached a new high with $1.1 trillion in net inflows, reshuffling market share leaders across various asset classes and peer groups, as detailed in our 2024 ETF market share recap. 

Notably, several strategies that captured increased market share benefited significantly from robust long-term performance. Below, we explore some of the top-performing ETFs across different timeframes.


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Now, let’s dive into the best-performing ETFs of the past decade. To create this list, we analyzed the entire ETF universe using the YCharts Fund Screener to find the best-performing ETFs on a 1-, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year (excluding leveraged and inverse ETFs). We also observed funds with the lowest max drawdowns during this period, as well.

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Best Performing ETFs (1Y)

These are the top-performing ETFs over the past year as of July 31, 2025.

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Line chart showing the best ETFs over 1 year ending July 31, 2025. Top performers include Simplify Volt TSLA Revolution ETF (+116.2%), ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (+103.1%), ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (+97.2%), and Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (+82.2%). The S&P 500 gained 16.3% over the same period.

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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last Year

As of July 31, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last year. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

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Line chart showing ETFs with the lowest max drawdown over 1 year ending July 31, 2025. Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) had no drawdown (0%), Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF (PFFV) dipped -6.1% at worst, Gabelli Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) -7.3%, Keating Active ETF (KEAT) -7.4%, and iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) -7.6%.

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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 3 Years

These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between July 29, 2022 and July 31, 2025.

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Line chart showing the best ETFs over 3 years ending July 31, 2025. First Trust SkyBridge Crypto ETF led at +259.9% total return, followed by Invesco Alerian Galaxy Crypto Economy ETF (+220.5%), Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (+211.3%), ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (+200.3%), and VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (+190.4%). S&P 500 returned 60.6%.

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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 3 Years 

As of July 31, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last three years. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

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Line chart highlighting ETFs with the lowest max drawdowns over 3 years. Franklin Intl Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHI) saw a maximum -11.9% drawdown, Global X Adaptive US Factor ETF (AUSF) -12.3%, Amplify Dividend Income ETF (DIVO) -12.1%, SEI Enhanced Low Volatility ETF (SELV) -13.7%, while Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) avoided any drawdown (0%).

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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 5 Years

These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between July 30, 2020 and July 31, 2025.

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Line chart showing the best ETFs over 5 years. InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA) led at +315.9% total return, followed by Global X Uranium ETF (+301.3%), First Trust Natural Gas ETF (+271.6%), Invesco Energy Exploration & Production ETF (+260.2%), and Global X MSCI Greece ETF (+259.7%). The S&P 500 gained 109% over the period.

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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 5 Years 

As of July 31, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last five years. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

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Line chart showing ETFs with the lowest max drawdowns over 5 years ending July 31, 2025. Amplify Dividend Income ETF (DIVO) had a -13.7% max drawdown, Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) avoided drawdowns (0%), iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) fell -20.4% at worst, Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF) -20.9%, and iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) -15.0%.

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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 10 Years

These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2025.

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Line chart showing the best ETFs over 10 years. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) returned +1,160%, iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) +815.6%, ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) +718.6%, Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI) +638.7%, and iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) +626.1%. The S&P 500 gained 259.9% over the decade.

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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 10 Years

As of July 31, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last five years. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

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Line chart depicting ETFs with the lowest max drawdowns over 10 years. WBI BullBear Value 3000 ETF (WBIF) fell as much as -20.3%, Pacer Trendpilot Mid Cap ETF (PTMC) -20.5%, VictoryShares US EQ Income ETF (CDC) -21.4%, VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility ETF (CFO) -24.3%, and Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) -24.5%.

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What Was the Growth of $10,000 Over the Last 10 Years?

If you invested $10,000 10 years ago into any of the ten best-performing ETFs over the last 10 years, your balance today would be no less than $65K.

The best-performing ETF in the last 10 years was VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). A $10,000 investment into SMH 10 years ago would be worth over $125K today. Right behind it was the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX); investing $10,000 into SOXX back in 2015 would’ve turned into over $90K.

Growth chart of best ETFs over 10 years. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) grew $10,000 to $125.6K, iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) to $91.6K, ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) to $81.9K, Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI) to $73.9K, iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) to $72.6K, compared with the S&P 500 reaching $35.9K.

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