What Types of ETFs Exist?
Index Funds
Track a broad market index like the S&P 500 or the total US stock market. The simplest, cheapest way to invest.
VOO, VTI, VT, SPLG, ITOT
Bond Funds
Hold government and corporate bonds. They smooth out the ride when stocks drop — the stability piece of your portfolio.
BND
Dividend Funds
Invest in companies that pay you regular income. A gentle introduction to earning passive income from your investments.
SCHD, VIG
Start Here
The two most recommended ETFs for beginners. Either one is a great first investment.
VOO
VOOIndex Fund
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
The S&P 500 in one fund. Warren Buffett's top recommendation for most investors.
TER
0.03%
1Y Return
+27.3%
Holdings
505
- Tracks the 500 biggest US companies — Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and more.
- Warren Buffett has publicly recommended this for most people over picking individual stocks.
- Costs just $3 per year for every $10,000 invested. One of the cheapest funds in existence.
VTI
VTIIndex Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
The entire US stock market — small, mid, and large — in a single purchase.
TER
0.03%
1Y Return
+28.0%
Holdings
3,598
- Owns every publicly traded US company, not just the biggest 500.
- Over 3,600 companies means you're never betting on just a few names.
- Slightly broader than VOO — you also get small companies with higher growth potential.
Next Step
Once you're comfortable, add global exposure or dividend income.
For the Curious
Alternatives and portfolio building blocks. Only after you understand the basics.
SPL
SPLGSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Same S&P 500 as VOO, but with a lower share price for small budgets.
BND
BNDVanguard Total Bond Market ETF
Smooths out the ride when stocks drop. The stability piece of your portfolio.
VIG
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
Companies that raise their dividends every year. Growth + income combined.
ITO
ITOTiShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF
Same idea as VTI, from iShares instead of Vanguard. Pick whichever your broker offers.
How Have They Performed?
One-year returns across three categories: index, global, and dividend. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Compare all 8 ETFs side by sideWhere to Buy ETFs
Regulated platforms available in your country. Data from our broker comparison.
GBM
4.5
Platform of the Grupo Bursátil Mexicano that facilitates investing from Mexico in stocks, funds, and ETFs through a digital, educational, and intuitive interface. Design your portfolio and grow your wealth step by step.
Fintual
4.3
Latin American fintech that democratizes investing through mutual funds, stocks, and ETFs. Start investing with no commissions and from USD 1.
Folionet
4.3
Established in Miami for the Latin American audience, Folionet provides you access to your own investment account in the U.S., wherever you are. Choose between a personal account or one with advisory services and start enhancing your capital in international markets.
Hapi
4.2
A platform originating from Peru, Hapi democratizes access to the U.S. Stock Market from Latin America, allowing you to invest in over 12,000 stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies starting from just US$5. Begin building your portfolio today.
Buying US ETFs from Latin America
All 8 ETFs on this page are accessible from major LATAM countries. Here's how.
Mexico
Available via SIC (Sistema Internacional de Cotizaciones) on the BMV through brokers like GBM and Bursanet. 10% US withholding on dividends with W-8BEN treaty.
Brazil
Buy BDR equivalents on B3 (IVVB11 for S&P 500) or purchase US ETFs directly via Interactive Brokers or Avenue. 15% tax on capital gains over R$35k/month.
Argentina
Access via CEDEAR equivalents on BYMA, or trade US ETFs directly through Interactive Brokers or Bull Market Brokers.
Chile
Available through international brokers like Interactive Brokers and eToro. Local brokers like Renta4 also offer access to US markets.
Colombia
Trade US ETFs via international brokers like Interactive Brokers and eToro. Trii and Tyba offer simplified access for beginners.
Peru
Access US ETFs through international brokers like Interactive Brokers. Local brokers like Credicorp Capital also provide international market access.
How Most People Invest in ETFs
You don't need a large sum to start. Most ETF investors use a simple strategy called dollar-cost averaging.
Pick a fixed amount
Decide what you can invest each month — $50, $100, $500. The amount matters less than the consistency.
Set up automatic purchases
Most brokers let you schedule recurring buys. Choose a date (e.g., the 1st of each month) and your ETF. The broker handles the rest.
Don't try to time the market
Some months you'll buy high, some months low. Over time, your average purchase price smooths out — that's the whole point.
Why this works: historically, investors who contributed a fixed amount monthly outperformed those who tried to time their purchases — even through major market downturns.
Most major brokers across Latin America — including GBM (Mexico), NuInvest (Brazil), and Interactive Brokers (region-wide) — support recurring ETF purchases.
Should You Invest in ETFs?
Potential benefits
- Instant diversification — one purchase spreads your money across hundreds or thousands of companies.
- Ultra-low fees. The ETFs on this page cost $3–$6 per year for every $10,000 invested.
- No expertise required. You don't need to pick stocks, time the market, or follow financial news.
Risks to understand
- Markets go down too — your investment can lose 20–30% in a bad year. This is normal, not a reason to panic.
- You'll earn the market average, not more. If you want to try to beat the market, ETFs aren't the tool for that.
- Currency risk for LATAM investors — these ETFs are priced in USD, so your returns also depend on exchange rates.
Compare Popular ETFs
Index Funds Compared
The 5 index-tracking ETFs on this page — which one fits your budget?
VOOVTIVTSPLGITOT
Dividend vs Growth
Income-focused SCHD and VIG against pure growth with VOO.
SCHDVIGVOO
US Stocks + Bonds + Dividends
Three different asset types in one comparison — see how they complement each other.
VTIBNDSCHD
How We Selected These
Low cost
Expense ratio under 0.10% — so fees don't eat your returns over decades.
Established & trusted
Over $10 billion in assets. These are funds used by millions of investors worldwide.
Broad diversification
No sector bets. Each fund tracks a well-known index covering hundreds or thousands of companies.
Simple to understand
You can explain what each fund does in one sentence. No complex strategies.
Accessible for small budgets
Reasonable share prices and available via fractional shares on most platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a basket of investments that trades on a stock exchange like a single stock. When you buy one share of VOO, you're buying a tiny piece of all 500 companies in the S&P 500. Unlike buying a single stock, an ETF gives you instant diversification — if one company drops, the others cushion the impact.
Many brokers now offer fractional shares, meaning you can start with as little as $1–$5. Even without fractional shares, SPLG trades at a lower share price than VOO, making it more accessible. The important thing is to start — the amount matters less than the habit.
For most beginners, one to three ETFs is plenty. VT alone gives you global stocks in a single ticker. The classic 3-fund portfolio (US stocks + international stocks + bonds) covers everything. You don't need all 8 ETFs on this page — pick the approach that matches your comfort level.
The expense ratio is the annual fee the ETF charges, expressed as a percentage of your investment. VOO's 0.03% means you pay $3 per year for every $10,000 invested. Over 30 years, the difference between a 0.03% and a 1.00% expense ratio on a $100,000 portfolio is over $50,000 in lost returns. Low fees compound in your favour.
Yes. In Mexico, US ETFs are available via the SIC (Sistema Internacional de Cotizaciones) through local brokers. In Brazil, you can buy BDR equivalents on B3 (like IVVB11 for the S&P 500). In Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, international brokers like Interactive Brokers and eToro provide direct access to US ETFs. Check the 'Where to Buy' section above for regulated platforms in your specific country.
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