Every Australian ETF, in one place: why I built ReviewETF

Why I built it

I've been a financial adviser for more than 20 years, and for the last several I've focused almost entirely on ETFs. When I started, there were only a handful in Australia. Now there are more than 500, and a few new ones list almost every month.

That's great for investors. But it made my own research painfully slow. To compare a few ETFs properly I'd have a dozen tabs open: each issuer's website, each fact sheet, each PDS. Every issuer only shows their own funds, every site lays out the numbers differently, and the things that matter most, like what an ETF actually holds and how it compares to its rivals, are often the hardest to find.

I kept seeing the same mistakes from investors too: picking an ETF because of its name, chasing last month's best performer, or paying more in fees than they needed to for almost the same exposure.

So I built the tool I wanted to use: every Australian ETF in one table, with the same data for each, in plain English, free for anyone. That's ReviewETF.

What you can do on ReviewETF

Everything on the site does one of four things:

How to use it to find the right ETF: 5 steps

Here's the checklist I use myself, and where ReviewETF helps at each step.

Step 1: Decide what job the ETF will do

Before you look at a single fund, ask what you want it for. Core ETFs are the broad, low-cost foundation of a portfolio, like Australian shares, global shares or an all-in-one fund. Satellite ETFs are smaller positions in themes or regions you have a view on, like AI, gold or India. They can lift returns but are more concentrated and volatile. Also decide whether you're after growth or income.

Step 2: Build a shortlist

Open the Filter ETFs panel on the home page and narrow by theme or region. Say you want AI exposure: filter by the AI theme, or go straight to the AI & Robotics ETFs page, and 500+ funds become a short list. Aim for two to four candidates that do the same job.

Step 3: Compare fees in dollars

Every ETF's fee (MER) is in the main table. Percentages look tiny, so turn them into dollars:

For example, VGS (0.18%) and BGBL (0.08%) both hold around 1,000 global companies. That's about $100 a year apart on $100,000, and several thousand dollars over 20 years.

Step 4: Look under the hood

Click any ETF code to open its review page and check the top 10 holdings and the sector and region breakdown. This is where "similar" ETFs often turn out to be very different. One Australian resources ETF can be about 40% BHP, while another caps every stock at 8%. (More in my VanEck interview.)

Step 5: Weigh returns against risk

Look at the 3 and 5-year returns, not just last month, and ask whether a fund did better because it's better or because it took more risk. DHHF beat VDHG over five years, but it's 100% shares with no bonds. ASIA tripled VAE's three-year return, but 70% of it sits in 10 stocks. Then put your finalists into the free Compare ETFs tool. (See my Vanguard vs Betashares comparison for six real examples.)

A worked example: a global shares ETF for your core

1. Job: a long-term core holding of shares outside Australia.
2. Shortlist: filter by the World region and Equities. VGS, BGBL and IVV come up.
3. Fees: BGBL 0.08% vs VGS 0.18%, about $100 a year apart on $100,000.
4. Under the hood: VGS and BGBL hold around 1,000 developed-market companies. IVV is US only, so it does a different job.
5. Returns vs risk: three-year returns are similar. BGBL is newer, while VGS has been around since 2014.

Neither is "wrong". It's a trade-off between a lower fee and a longer track record, and ReviewETF lets you see that in a couple of minutes instead of an afternoon.

Why use ReviewETF?

• Every ETF in one place: all issuers, all 500+ funds, not just one company's range.
• The same data for every fund, so comparisons are like for like.
• See what's really inside, not just the name on the label.
• Plain English, written by someone who uses ETFs every day.
• Free, with no paid placements.

Start comparing ETFs on ReviewETF ↗

Frequently asked questions

Is ReviewETF free?

Yes. Searching, filtering, the ETF review pages and the compare tool are all free, with no account needed. There’s also a free monthly newsletter.

Who is behind ReviewETF?

ReviewETF was built by me, Joshua Stega, a financial adviser with more than 20 years’ experience who specialises in ETFs. I also run ETF Adviser, a weekly ETF research service.

Do ETF issuers pay to be listed or ranked?

No. Every ETF is listed, and rankings come from the data, not from payments. No issuer pays for placement.

How often is the data updated?

Performance data is updated monthly. Each page shows the date the data runs to, so check it before relying on the numbers.

Does ReviewETF tell me which ETF to buy?

No. It’s general information to help you research and compare. It doesn’t know your goals or circumstances. Always read the PDS, and get personal advice if you need it.

How many ETFs should I own?

There’s no magic number. Many investors keep a simple core of one to three broad ETFs and add a few smaller satellite ETFs for themes they believe in. More ETFs doesn’t always mean more diversification if they hold the same companies.

Want the highlights each month? Subscribe to the free Review ETF Monthly newsletter: the best and worst performers, new listings and where the money is flowing. I also post the monthly update on Medium, or you can subscribe on LinkedIn to Market Charts & ETF Ideas. See this month’s rankings and all the ways to follow →

ETFs named are examples to illustrate each step, not recommendations. Fees and returns are as at mid-to-late 2026 and will change. Check the PDS and the issuer’s website, and consider your own circumstances before investing.