Alternatives
Best SCHD Alternatives in 2026
Top dividend and quality ETFs to consider alongside or instead of Schwab US Dividend Equity (SCHD).
Data updated July 2026 · 14 ETFs
Who this page is for
Best for
- SCHD holders looking to diversify their dividend sleeve or reduce single-fund concentration
- Investors who like SCHD's quality-and-value tilt but want higher yield or more growth
- Anyone comparing low-cost dividend ETFs before committing new money
Not a fit for
- Investors who specifically want SCHD's Dow Jones US Dividend 100 methodology — no fund replicates it exactly
- Those seeking high current income — these are 2-4% yielders, not covered-call funds
- Traders — dividend ETFs reward multi-year holding, not short-term moves
Analysis
SCHD is the default low-cost dividend ETF for good reason — a quality-and-value screen, a ~3.5% yield, a rock-bottom expense ratio, and a strong record of dividend growth. But no single fund should anchor an entire income strategy, and several ETFs make excellent complements or substitutes. If you want a broader net, VYM holds far more names at a similar low cost. For faster dividend growth and a lower starting yield, DGRO and VIG screen for companies that consistently raise payouts. For more current income, HDV and SPYD tilt toward higher-yielding value names. And FDVV and DGRW blend yield with quality and growth factors. The key differences come down to methodology, yield, and how much growth versus current income you want. None replicates SCHD's exact index, so the right "alternative" depends on which lever — yield, growth, diversification, or cost — matters most to you.
Top picks
Top 3 SCHD alternatives by assets under management.
Yield distribution
Expense ratio distribution
Income projection
Estimated annual, monthly, and weekly income based on the average yield of 3.04% across these 14 ETFs. For illustration only—actual income will vary.
| Investment | Annual income | Monthly income | Weekly income |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $304 | $25 | $6 |
| $25,000 | $760 | $63 | $15 |
| $50,000 | $1,521 | $127 | $29 |
| $100,000 | $3,041 | $253 | $58 |
Issuer breakdown
Distribution of ETFs by fund issuer. Larger issuers often offer lower expense ratios and higher liquidity.
All 14 ETFs
| Ticker | Name | Issuer | Yield | Expense ratio | AUM | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTV | Vanguard Value ETF | Vanguard | 1.97% | 0.04% | $179.6B | Quarterly |
| VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares | Vanguard | 1.67% | 0.06% | $107.9B | Quarterly |
| VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares | Vanguard | 2.43% | 0.06% | $78.3B | Quarterly |
| DGRO | iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | iShares | 1.72% | 0.08% | $40.6B | Quarterly |
| CGDV | Capital Group Dividend Value ETF | Capital Group | 1.19% | 0.33% | $35.5B | Quarterly |
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 2.51% | 0.35% | $21.1B | Quarterly |
| VYMI | Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | Vanguard | 5.00% | 0.22% | $19.7B | Quarterly |
| DGRW | WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund | WisdomTree | 1.98% | 0.28% | $16.7B | Monthly |
| HDV | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | iShares | 2.67% | 0.08% | $13.6B | Quarterly |
| NOBL | ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF | ProShares | 2.14% | 0.35% | $11.4B | Quarterly |
| FDVV | Fidelity High Dividend ETF | Fidelity Investments | 3.34% | 0.15% | $9.8B | Quarterly |
| SPYD | SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF | State Street | 4.49% | 0.07% | $7.5B | Quarterly |
| SPHD | Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF | Invesco | 4.88% | 0.30% | $3.3B | Monthly |
| DIV | Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF | Global X | 6.59% | 0.45% | $741M | Monthly |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best schd alternatives?
This page lists the top 14 ETFs in this category ranked by key metrics. The list includes funds from issuers like Vanguard, iShares, Capital Group and more.
How often is this list updated?
The data on this page is refreshed regularly using the latest available distribution rates, expense ratios, and AUM figures. Last updated July 2026.
What is the average yield of these ETFs?
The average distribution yield across the 14 ETFs on this list is 3.04%. Individual yields range from 6.59% to 1.97%.
What is the closest alternative to SCHD?
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield) is the most common substitute — it is broad, low-cost, and dividend-focused, though it holds many more stocks and screens purely for yield rather than SCHD's quality-and-value blend. For dividend growth instead of yield, DGRO and VIG are the closest in spirit.
Why hold an SCHD alternative instead of just SCHD?
Diversification and fit. Pairing SCHD with a growth-tilted fund (DGRO, VIG) or a higher-yield fund (SPYD, HDV) reduces reliance on one methodology and lets you tune your blend of current income versus dividend growth. Some investors also want broader holdings than SCHD's concentrated 100-stock portfolio.
Do any of these yield more than SCHD?
Yes. SPYD and HDV typically yield more than SCHD by tilting harder toward high-yield value names, though they sacrifice some of SCHD's quality screen and dividend-growth track record. Higher yield usually means slower dividend growth — that's the core trade-off across this list.
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Go deeper
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