VISM and QSML overlap by about 9%: they do quite different jobs. VISM is cheaper (0.32% vs 0.59% a year), about $270 a year less on $100,000. QSML is the bigger fund ($1.6b vs $952m). Both hold global small companies. VISM holds thousands across the market; QSML picks 150 high-quality ones. They have very little in common.
📅 As at 30 September 2026: fees, size, flows and returns from the TMX Australia funds report; overlap from published holdings as at 30 September 2026.
VISM
Vanguard MSCI Intl Small Companies Indx ETFVISM invests in thousands of small companies across developed markets outside Australia.
QSML
VanEck MSCI Intl Small Companies Quality ETFQSML invests in 150 high-quality small companies across developed markets outside Australia.
VISM vs QSML side by side
Green marks the cheaper, bigger or better-performing fund on each line. Past returns are not a reliable guide to the future.
| VISM | QSML | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Vanguard | VanEck |
| Index | MSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Index | MSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Quality 150 Index |
| Fee (a year) | 0.32% | 0.59% |
| Size | $952m | $1.6b |
| Net money in, September | +$0m | +$0m |
| 1-year return | +10.4% | -1.4% |
| 5-year return | +38% | +41% |
| Listed | 2018 | 2021 |
| Top 10 holdings | 6% of fund | 14% of fund |
| Trend now | Base | Downtrend |
How much do VISM and QSML overlap?
About 9% of their holdings are the same, by weight: low overlap, so they do quite different jobs.
The biggest companies they both own
| Company | VISM | QSML |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Gold IncMaterials | 0.5% | 1.5% |
| Woodward IncIndustrials | 0.5% | 1.5% |
| ITT IncIndustrials | 0.5% | 1.4% |
| East West Bancorp IncFinancials | 0.4% | 1.5% |
| Onto Innovation IncInformation Technology | 0.4% | 0.8% |
| Sterling Infrastructure IncIndustrials | 0.4% | 0.9% |
| Medpace Holdings IncHealth Care | 0.4% | 1.6% |
| Lincoln Electric Holdings IncIndustrials | 0.4% | 1.4% |
| Exelixis IncHealth Care | 0.4% | 1.7% |
| Toll Brothers IncConsumer Discretionary | 0.3% | 1.1% |
Only in VISM
- Moderna Inc 1.7%
- Tenet Healthcare Corp 0.6%
- Guardant Health Inc 0.6%
- Viatris Inc 0.5%
- US Foods Holding Corp 0.5%
Only in QSML
- Autotrader Group PLC 0.6%
- Pool Corp 0.6%
- Rightmove PLC 0.6%
- Trend Micro Inc/Japan 0.5%
- MarketAxess Holdings Inc 0.5%
Sectors and countries
Sectors
Countries
Trend: base, uptrend or downtrend?
Past year of prices, shaded by trend stage. The dashed line is the 200-day exponential average. As at 4 November 2026. How base and trend works.
VISM or QSML: which suits who?
Where either fits depends on the rest of your portfolio: whether it’s your core or a satellite. See core and satellite investing and our full profiles of VISM and QSML.
See the exact overlap with everything you hold, plus the trend of each ETF, in our free calculator.
More comparisons
VISM vs QSML FAQs
Is VISM or QSML better?
Neither is better for everyone. Both hold global small companies. VISM holds thousands across the market; QSML picks 150 high-quality ones. They have very little in common. Choose VISM if you want broad, low-cost exposure to global small companies. Choose QSML if you want a short list of quality small companies and accept a higher fee.
What is the difference between VISM and QSML?
VISM and QSML overlap by about 9%: they do quite different jobs. VISM is cheaper (0.32% vs 0.59% a year), about $270 a year less on $100,000. QSML is the bigger fund ($1.6b vs $952m). Both hold global small companies. VISM holds thousands across the market; QSML picks 150 high-quality ones. They have very little in common.
Should I own both VISM and QSML?
Yes, they can work together: only about 9% of their holdings are the same, so each adds something different. Check the fit with your other ETFs first.
Which is cheaper, VISM or QSML?
VISM is cheaper (0.32% vs 0.59% a year), about $270 a year less on $100,000. Fees are taken from the fund’s returns, not charged separately.
Fees, size, flows and returns: TMX Australia Funds Report to 30 September 2026; returns are total returns and the 5-year figure is cumulative. Overlap, sectors and countries are based on each fund’s published holdings, scaled to the part of each fund we can see. Trend stages are a technical indicator based on 10, 20, 50 and 200-day exponential moving averages; they describe the past, not the future. General information only, not a recommendation to buy or sell VISM or QSML. Consider the PDS and TMD, and your own circumstances, before investing.