5 Best International ETFs to Buy in 2026

Methodology: How these international ETFs were chosen

For international ETFs, we prioritized funds with low expense ratios, substantial assets under management, and long operating histories. Larger, established ETFs generally offer better liquidity, tighter bid-ask spreads, and a lower risk of fund closure, while lower fees help preserve more of an investor’s long-term returns.

We also favored ETFs from reputable providers with extensive experience managing international portfolios. Beyond costs and size, diversification was a key consideration. Preference was given to funds that provide broad exposure across developed and emerging markets, multiple sectors, and companies of all market capitalizations, rather than concentrating solely on a single region, country, or investment style.

Finally, we evaluated each ETF’s underlying methodology rather than simply looking at past performance. Whether a fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index or uses a more specialized approach, understanding how securities are selected and weighted is often a better indicator of how the ETF is likely to behave across different market environments.