Best ETFs for 2024

Whether you're looking for best ETFs to invest in December 2024 or ETFs trending on platforms today, we've got you covered.

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) lets you invest in a whole range of different investments in one fell swoop, but how do you choose the best ETFs to buy and hold? It’s an asset class that’s blown up in the last few decades – from just a few hundred options to close to 10,000 ETFs globally today, covering a range of markets and sectors.

Finding the best performing ETFs to invest in now will depend on your long-term strategy and your personal style of investing. To help you decide, here are some of the best performing ETFs for UK investors and the most popular ETFs today.

Best ETFs for 2024

Below are some of the best-performing ETFs available to buy now if you’re a UK investor. It’s always best to invest long-term, and these top ETFs have performed well over specific time periods.

You can look at the top ETFs from this year, over a one year period, or over 5 years – just click the different tabs to switch between timeframes. The percentage performance on display shows the growth of each ETF.

Table: sorted by year-to-date performance based on data from JustETF.com. Updated 10 October 2024
FundYTD performance (to 10 Oct. ’24)Link to invest
Amundi MSCI Semiconductors ESG Screened UCITS ETF Acc (SEMG)amundi icon53.04%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
VanEck Defense UCITS ETF A (DFNG)vaneck icon39.71%Invest with HLCapital at risk
Amundi MSCI China UCITS ETF Acc (LCCN)amundi icon36.78%Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
iShares China Large Cap UCITS ETF (FXC)iShares icon34.34%Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
Xtrackers FTSE China 50 UCITS ETF 1C (XX25)Xtrackers icon32.29%Invest with SaxoCapital at risk

Here are the best ETFs in terms of performance in the past year.

Table: sorted by 1-year performance based on data from JustETF.com. Updated 10 October 2024
Fund1-year performance (to 10 Oct. ’24)Link to invest
VanEck Crypto and Blockchain Innovators UCITS ETF (DAGB)vaneck icon96.73%Invest with SaxoCapital at risk
WisdomTree Blockchain UCITS ETF USD Acc (BKCN)WisdomTree icon91.30%Invest with HLCapital at risk
Global X Blockchain UCITS ETF USD Accumulating (BKCG)global x icon80.16%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
Amundi MSCI Semiconductors ESG Screened UCITS ETF Acc (SEMG)amundi icon74.83%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
iShares Blockchain Technology UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (BLKC)iShares icon68.03%Invest with HLCapital at risk

Here are the best ETFs in terms of performance in the past 5 years.

Table: sorted by 5-year performance based on data from JustETF.com. Updated 10 October 2024
Fund5-year performance (to 10 Oct. ’24)Link to invest
Amundi MSCI Semiconductors ESG Screened UCITS ETF Acc (SEMG)amundi icon224.43%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
Invesco US Technology Sector UCITS ETF (XLKQ)Invesco icon218.07%Invest with HLCapital at risk
iShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (IITU)iShares icon207.24%Invest with SaxoCapital at risk
Xtrackers MSCI USA Information Technology UCITS ETF 1D (XSTC)Xtrackers icon193.36%Invest with SaxoCapital at risk
SPDR S&P US Technology Select Sector UCITS ETF (GXLK)spdr icon173.37%Invest with HLCapital at risk
Table: sorted by year-to-date performance based on data from JustETF.com
FundYTD performance (to 5 Dec. ’23)Link to invest
VanEck Crypto and Blockchain Innovators UCITS ETF (DAGB)vaneck icon171.97%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
Global X Blockchain UCITS ETF USD Accumulating (BKCG)global x icon162.80%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
HANetf Grayscale Future of Finance UCITS ETF (GFOP)hanetf icon83.29%Invest with InvestEngineCapital at risk
HANetf ETC Group Digital Assets & Blockchain Equity UCITS ETF (KOIP)hanetf icon80.00%Invest with HLCapital at risk
WisdomTree Blockchain UCITS ETF USD Acc (BKCN)WisdomTree icon65.64%Invest with iiCapital at risk

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.


What are the best ETFs to buy in 2024?

It’s important to realise that the current best performing ETFs in 2024, may not necessarily be the best ETFs to buy and hold moving forward.

Past performance doesn’t dictate future results, and the top ETFs right now may not continue to grow at the same rate. Unfortunately, our crystal ball is out of service right now.

If you’re looking for the best ETFs for long-term growth, you may want to look outside of the funds that have already seen explosive growth in recent times.

Finding the best ETF to invest in will also depend on your goals, investing strategy, and risk appetite. Don’t pick an investment just because it’s been a top-performing asset over a short period. It’s always worth thinking about whether an ETF will be a good investment to buy and hold for years to come.

Jayden Simmonds's headshot
Case study: Jayden learnt about ETFs and after some research, built a profitable ETF portfolio

"I first learned about ETFs through a friend who was showing me his trading account and the multiple ETF’s he had invested in covering things like real estate, currency and precious metals. I was confused at first, but with research and finding a good investment platform, I’ve been able to build up a portfolio of ETF’s which I regularly invest in and have made a nice bit of profit from.

If there’s one thing you’d tell a friend who’s thinking of investing in ETFs, what would it be?

Research, research and more research. It’s important that you understand exactly what you’re investing in and understand the risks – but also the rewards that come with investing. Investing in a fund is definitely easier as there is less risk but you should understand the purpose of the fund and the stocks within it."

Jayden Simmonds
London

How to pick the best ETFs?

Picking the best ETFs is really just finding the one that suits your investing style best. You’ll also want to look at the goals of the ETF and performance. Our lists above can help you narrow down your search for ETFs — here are some of the next steps you could take.

  1. Work out what your investment style is. Do you want growth, dividends, or stocks in specific industries? This will help you narrow down your search.
  2. Decide if you’re looking for sustainable or ethical ETFs. If so, you could search “ESG“, “ethical” or “sustainable” in your ETF screener to find them.
  3. Look at the goals of ETFs. You can find ETF goals in the Key Investor Information Document. We’ve explained some of the information you’ll find on it below.
  4. Look at performance. Past performance isn’t an indicator of future results, but it’s always a good idea to check if the ETF is reaching its goals. This is something your chosen trading platform should have, but can also be found on the Key Investor Information Document.
  5. Think about risk. Every ETF will come with a varying level of investment risk. So, consider your own risk appetite, perhaps look at the past performance of an ETF and see what the biggest price drop was and think how you’d feel if your investment witnessed a similar drop in value.

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How is the ETF market performing?

It depends on the ETFs and markets you’re looking at. Investing in ETFs continues to grow in popularity. In 2003, there were just 276 ETFs in total, compared to almost 10,000 today.

When it comes to performance of ETFs themselves, it really depends on what assets or markets a particular ETF is tracking. Broad market ETFs covering a popular index like the S&P 500 have fared well in recent years, but this may not continue going forward.

We can see in the best ETFs table above that some of the top performing ETFs to buy recently have been focused around:

  • Blockchain and cryptocurrency technology
  • Semiconductors
  • European stocks
  • Turkey

It’s important to remember that the performance of ETFs depends on the underlying investments. A lot of the strong performance in these areas can be due to specific events. For example, a global shortage of semiconductors, a rise in crypto prices or Turkey’s progressing economy. These momentum trends may not continue and could be overtaken by new trends like artificial intelligence (AI), for example.

What are the best ETFs to buy for beginners?

Usually, broad-market ETFs that track major indices like the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, or the FTSE 100. These investments can also often be the best ETFs for young investors or those looking to buy and hold ETFs for long-term growth.

Another great option for beginners is a global ETF that tracks stock markets from developed and emerging markets around the world. These index-tracking ETFs come with a degree of diversity, are simple to understand, and are usually cheap.

It can be best for beginners to avoid highly-specific ETFs that focus on complex themes or sectors (for example, junior miners, robotics, or biotech). These ETFs can involve more risk and are harder to grasp, but the flipside is that they can sometimes generate the best returns.

George Sweeney, DipFA's headshot
Our expert says: What is an inverse ETF?

"This type of ETF works a little differently. Rather than appreciating when the underlying assets grow, an inverse ETF goes up in value when a market or assets decline.

So, buying a FTSE 100 inverse ETF means that if the FTSE 100 index was to lose value, your investment would make money. But, if the FTSE 100 index went up, your ETF investment would lose money.

These ETFs are best left to experienced investors looking for short-term market declines. Also, they often involve leverage, which means borrowing money to maximise returns, or losses."

Deputy editor

Bottom Line

As with all investments, the best for one person might not be the best for everyone. Take a look at our guide to choosing the best ETF above to help you find one that suits your investment style.

There are plenty of options available to choose between — most investment platforms have a stock screener that helps you narrow down your search, typically by performance, keyword and charges.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers ETFs, have a look at our table or head to our best ETF brokers page.

Frequently asked questions

Which broker is the best for investing in ETFs?

Based on our methodology, Saxo is the best broker for investing in ETFs because it has the widest selection of ETFs to buy. To find out best ETF brokers in different categories, visit our page.

Is it still possible to lose money while investing in best performing ETFs?

Yes, even though the best performing ETFs are highest-returning exchange-traded funds, it's worth noting that past performance is no guarantee of future success. If an ETF has performed well in the past, that doesn't mean it will generate similar returns in the future.

Which ETFs are trending on platforms now?

Here are the top 10 ETFs being bought on trading platforms today. To choose them, we've looked at the risers and most bought ETFs from the UK's leading trading apps and worked out which ones have seen the largest increase in trading volumes.

What is the best time to buy ETFs?

Trying to time the market is a near impossible task. If you're investing in ETFs to buy and hold for the long run, making regular investments is a great way of dollar-cost averaging.

This means that over time, your investments will smooth out. Sometimes you'll be buying an ETF when the price is high and other times when the price is low. If you wait for the best time to buy an ETF, you could end up waiting forever, sitting on your hands for the perfect moment that never comes.

If you want to buy an ETF now, start with a comfortable investment and increase your holding over time.

Which ETFs are best for young investors?

Broad market index-tracking ETFs that follow major markets and contain a diverse range of stocks are usually the best ETF option for young investors.

It depends on the investing experience and knowledge of the young investor. Typically, younger investors also tend to be beginners (or new to the market), which is why the best ETFs for beginners often translate well to younger investors.

Which ETF is the best to buy and hold?

Ideally, you should be looking to buy and hold whichever ETF you choose to invest in. This is going to be the best way to make sure that you get to profit from the long-term growth of the ETF investment.

Are ETFs good for beginners?

Definitely. Investing in ETFs is a great place to start for beginners. ETFs can be simple, cheap, and diverse. Not every ETF will suit every beginner, but they are one of the simplest types of investments for beginners to understand.

What is the Key Investor Information Document?

This is a document of the key information about an investment, summarised into a few different sections. These are designed to be quick reads – at no more than 2 or 3 pages each, depending on the investment type, so they’re hardly competing with Harry Potter for page count.

The Key Investor Information Document is split into a few different parts:

  • Objectives and investment policy. This section tells you some information about how the ETF is managed, whether it is designed to track the performance of an index, the base currency, whether you’d expect to receive an income from dividends or if they’re reinvested.
  • Risk and reward profile. This section shows you how risky the ETF is. Higher risk has the potential for higher returns. You can also see any other risks involved in the ETF.
  • Charges. This shows any charges associated with the fund, including the ongoing charge, which is the fee that’s paid to the fund manager.
  • Past performance. Exactly as you’d expect, this is the performance of the ETF. If it’s tracking an underlying index, you may see the performance against the index.
  • Analyst ratings. It’s often worth taking a look to see if any analyst ratings are included from outlets like Morningstar.

What’s the best Vanguard ETF?

Based on its 5 year performance,Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG) is the top performing Vanguard ETF right now. To see the whole performance table, check out our Vanguard ETFs page.

What are the best ETFs to buy during a recession?

Any ETFs focusing on recession-proof stocks or industries. The difficulty is that each recession is different. So, stocks that performed well in the last recession, may not do so in the next one.

The best way to find recession-proof ETFs is to either use multiple funds covering a range of markets and industries. Or, if you’re just using one ETF, ensuring it’s as diverse as possible. Diversification through a recession is the best tactic to minimise losses and hopefully maximise gains.

Are ETFs better than investing in individual shares?

In some ways, yes. ETFs are a much quicker and cost efficient way to invest in lots of different shares without the faff or costs of making every individual transaction.

The main downsides of ETFs against buying individual shares is that you don’t get a say in the individual shares that it includes. Of course, you can choose one that suits you closest, but it won’t necessarily match what you might’ve done if you did it yourself.

This article offers general information about investing and the stock market, but should not be construed as personal investment advice. It has been provided without consideration of your personal circumstances or objectives. It should not be interpreted as an inducement, invitation or recommendation relating to any of the products listed or referred to. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invested, so your capital is at risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you're not sure which investments are right for you, please get financial advice. The author holds no positions in any share mentioned.
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been reviewed by Steve Tutton DipPFS, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.
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Deputy editor

George is a deputy editor at Finder. He has previously written for The Motley Fool UK, Nasdaq, Freetrade, Investing in the Web, MoneyMagpie, Online Mortgage Advisor, Wealth, and Compare Forex Brokers. He's focused on making personal finance and investing engaging for everyone. To do this he draws from previous work and his Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA), sharing what he’s learnt. When he’s not geeking out about money, you’ll find him playing sports and staying active. See full bio

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