Index funds make it easy to own a piece of several companies at once. They offer broad market exposure and lower costs than regular stocks. Let’s explore the top index funds by AUM and fees and how you can invest in them.
The information, data and examples (including fund names, expense ratios and Assets Under Management) are based on publicly available sources as of November 2025 and may change without notice. References to specific funds or issuers are for illustrative purposes and don’t constitute a recommendation or endorsement.
Index funds are investment funds designed to follow the performance of a specific market index, such as one that tracks large US companies or global markets. Their goal is to match the performance of that index as closely as possible, rather than trying to beat it.
Unlike actively managed funds – where professional managers choose individual stocks – index funds use a passive strategy. This means they automatically replicate the holdings of their chosen index, offering investors broad market exposure in a simple, transparent way.
Well-known examples include:
You can buy index funds as mutual funds or ETFs (exchange-traded funds). ETFs trade like stocks during the day; mutual funds trade once at market close. Both can track the same index.
Over long periods, broad US index funds have delivered around 10% average annual returns. Though returns vary from year to year, the long-term trend has been strong.
Index fund | Mutual fund (active) | ETF (index or active) | |
Goal | Match an index | Beat a benchmark | Varies by fund |
Costs | Typically very low | Typically higher | Low for index ETFs |
Trading | Once daily (mutual fund) | Once daily | Intraday like a stock |
Diversification | Broad via index | Depends on manager | Broad if passive |
An index fund refers to an investment approach designed to track the performance of a specific market index. An ETF refers to the structure of the product – a pooled investment vehicle that trades on an exchange throughout the day, similar to a stock.
Many ETFs follow an index, which means they can also be considered index funds. For example, some ETFs aim to mirror the same benchmarks as index mutual funds, but they differ in how investors can access them.
Both structures are designed to provide diversified market exposure. The choice between them depends on an investor’s platform preferences, trading habits and account type.
Note: We offer ETFs via Crypto.com Stocks, but we don’t offer traditional stock index funds.
Index funds have become widely used by investors who prefer a simpler, rules-based way to gain exposure to financial markets. Their popularity is largely due to several structural features rather than performance expectations:
Fund | Index tracked | AUM (approx.) | Expense ratio | Highlights |
1. Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) | S&P 500 Index | ~$798 B | 0.03% | Covers 500 large-cap US companies; core portfolio building block. |
2. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) | S&P 500 Index | ~$717 B | 0.03% | Nearly identical to VOO but from BlackRock; extremely liquid and tax-efficient. |
3. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) | S&P 500 Index | ~$691 B | 0.09% | The original ETF (1993 launch); most actively traded; slightly higher fee. |
4. Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) | CRSP US Total Market | ~$552 B | 0.03% | Covers the entire US equity market (large, mid, small caps). |
5. Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) | Nasdaq 100 Index | ~$408 B | 0.20% | Tech-heavy fund tracking largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks. |
6. Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) | CRSP US Large Cap Growth | ~$203 B | 0.04% | Focuses on growth-oriented large US companies (Apple, Microsoft). |
7. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) | FTSE Developed All Cap ex-US | ~$180 B | 0.03% | Diversified international exposure (Europe, Japan, Australia). |
8. Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) | CRSP US Large Cap Value | ~$149 B | 0.04% | Tilts toward value stocks (healthcare, finance, energy). |
9. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | ~$118B | 0.03% | Largest U.S. bond index fund, offering broad exposure to investment-grade bonds. |
10. Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index | ~$117B | 0.03% | Tracks the entire U.S. investment-grade bond market. |
Sources: Morningstar, ETFdb, Bloomberg, Vanguard, Invesco (as of November 2025).
(AUM values rounded; may fluctuate daily.)
Begin by understanding the different types of index-tracking funds available. Each fund follows a specific market segment or index – for example, broad US equities, global markets or particular sectors.
When comparing options, review key factors such as:
Always refer to the latest fund fact sheet or prospectus to understand its investment objective, composition and associated costs.
Look for a regulated investment platform that offers access to index funds or exchange-traded funds.
On the Crypto.com App, you can explore and invest in a range of ETFs with 0% trading commissions. These ETFs provide diversified market exposure similar to index funds but are traded on an exchange throughout the day.
When considering how much to allocate, some investors choose to make a single purchase, while others prefer to invest smaller amounts at regular intervals – a method known as Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA).
DCA involves investing a fixed amount on a set schedule regardless of market movements, which results in purchases at varying price levels over time. This is a commonly used approach to help manage the timing of investments, but it doesn’t guarantee profit or protect against loss.
You can explore and trade ETFs through the Stocks section of the Crypto.com App. You can search for different ETFs, review their details such as objectives and costs, and place an order directly within the App.
It can be useful to review your portfolio from time to time to ensure it continues to reflect your intended investment approach. If certain holdings have increased or decreased in value relative to others, some investors choose to adjust their allocations to maintain their preferred balance.
Investors who seek broader diversification may also look at funds that provide exposure to different regions or markets. Any decision to adjust holdings should take into account personal objectives, risk tolerance and the information provided in each fund’s documentation.
Are ETFs and index funds the same thing?
Not exactly. An index fund describes an investment approach that aims to follow the performance of a specific market index. An ETF (exchange-traded fund) refers to the structure – a pooled investment that trades on an exchange throughout the day. Many ETFs track indexes, so an ETF can also function as an index-tracking product, depending on its objective.
Does Crypto.com Stocks offer index funds?
Crypto.com Stocks currently offers access to ETFs, not traditional stock index mutual funds. Many available ETFs are designed to follow major market indexes, providing diversified exposure. Product availability and eligibility may vary depending on the user’s region and applicable regulations.
What does 0% commission mean for ETFs on Crypto.com Stocks?
0% commission means that we don’t charge a trading commission when buying or selling ETFs. Other costs, such as the ETF’s management fee (expense ratio) or bid-ask spread, may still apply. Users should review all applicable costs before trading.
Does Crypto.com Stocks offer fractional investing?
Yes, Crypto.com Stocks offers fractional share investing for certain equities, allowing users to purchase a portion of a company’s stock rather than a full share.
Are ETFs risk free?
No, ETFs involve investment risk, including the possible loss of capital. Their value may fluctuate with changes in market conditions and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Before investing, review each ETF’s objectives, risks and costs to ensure you understand how it works.
* Data such as AUM and expense ratios are approximate and can change; always check the latest fund fact sheet.
This is informational content sponsored by Crypto.com and should not be considered as investment advice.
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All investments involve risk, and not all risks are suitable for every investor. The value of securities may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a down market. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.
