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ETF Comparison

AIHY vs ZAP: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF and Global X U.S. Electrification ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

AIHY has outpaced ZAP over the shared window since Jul 2026, posting a 8.74% total return against -6.74%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolSince Jul 2026
AIHY8.74%
ZAP-6.74%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jul 2026” measures every fund from July 21, 2026 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricAIHYZAP
Full nameDefiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETFGlobal X U.S. Electrification ETF
IssuerDefiance ETFsGlobal X
Last Close$21.65 as of September 18, 2026$30.97 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate—2.17%
Distribution Safety Score™ —50
Expense ratio0.37%0.50%
AUM$5.26M$446M
Distribution frequencyAnnualQuarterly
Underlying index——
ObjectiveSeeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in the companies building and operating the compute backbone of artificial intelligence — spanning AI compute infrastructure, cloud platforms, data centers, semiconductors, and AI software. Holdings must derive at least 50% of revenues, assets, or spending from AI and demonstrate revenue growing faster than operating expenses.—
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/20/202612/17/2024
Beta—0.6103
Last dividend—$0.168
Ex-dividend date—07/06/2026

— Distribution rate, Safety-Adjusted Yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because AIHY launched July 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: AIHY launched July 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional.

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Defiance ETFs
ETFs86
Total AUM$10.8B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Defiance ETFs is known for offering specialized and thematic investment strategies that cater to niche market segments and alternative income approaches. The issuer's lineup spans income-focused funds, leveraged strategies, combinations of leverage with income generation, and thematic products tied to emerging trends and sectors. Defiance emphasizes non-traditional and differentiated strategies rather than broad-based index exposure, appealing to investors seeking targeted exposure beyond conventional ETF offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on AIHY.

See all Defiance ETFs ETFs
Global X
ETFs117
Total AUM$94.0B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Global X is known for developing thematic and alternative investment ETFs with a strong emphasis on income-generating strategies. Their 37-fund lineup spans diverse categories including covered call funds, SuperDividend income products, digital assets, commodities, and sector-specific investments, alongside traditional bond and risk-managed income options. Notable tickers like DIV, MLPA, and BCCC reflect their specialization in high-yield and alternative income strategies, positioning them as a provider focused on investors seeking yield-oriented and thematically-driven exposure.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ZAP.

See all Global X ETFs

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Quick verdict

AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) and ZAP (Global X U.S. Electrification ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

ZAP currently shows a 2.17% distribution yield. AIHY has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

AIHY is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.37% compared to 0.50%.

ZAP has $446M in assets vs $5.26M for AIHY, but AIHY only launched July 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, AIHY has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, while ZAP would produce $18.08/month, at current distribution rates.

AIHY yield—
ZAP yield2.17%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, AIHY would cost approximately $370 in fees vs $500 for ZAP (simplified, not compounded). The $130.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

AIHY ER0.37%
ZAP ER0.50%

Strategy & risk

AIHY is an ETF built around technology exposure, while ZAP is an ETF.

AIHY beta—
ZAP beta0.6103

Fund details

AIHY is managed by Defiance ETFs (launched 07/20/2026) with $5.26M in assets. ZAP is managed by Global X (launched 12/17/2024) with $446M in assets.

AIHY AUM$5.26M
ZAP AUM$446M
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Frequently asked questions

Which of AIHY or ZAP pays more dividend income?

ZAP currently reports a distribution yield, while AIHY has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between AIHY and ZAP?

AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) is an ETF built around technology exposure, while ZAP (Global X U.S. Electrification ETF) is an ETF. They are issued by Defiance ETFs and Global X respectively.

Can I hold both AIHY and ZAP?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, AIHY or ZAP?

AIHY has an expense ratio of 0.37% while ZAP charges 0.50%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in AIHY vs ZAP generate?

At current rates, AIHY has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available. The same in ZAP would produce about $18.08 per month ($217.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, AIHY or ZAP?

AIHY has outpaced ZAP over the shared window since Jul 2026, posting a 8.74% total return against -6.74%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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AIHY vs ZAP — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

AIHY and ZAP are both thematic equity ETFs launched in 2024 and 2025, but they target entirely different secular trends. AIHY focuses on companies deriving at least half their revenue from artificial intelligence infrastructure—semiconductors, data centers, cloud platforms, and AI software. ZAP invests in U.S. electrification plays: utilities, industrials, and energy transition companies benefiting from the shift to electric power systems and grid modernization. The funds share no unifying strategy; they're separate bets on two major infrastructure buildouts.

How they differ

The biggest difference is underlying exposure: AIHY is pure AI compute infrastructure and software, while ZAP captures electrification across utilities, grid operators, and industrial equipment manufacturers. ZAP has a published beta of 0.6103, indicating moderate sensitivity to broader market moves. AIHY charges 0.37% on $5.26M in assets; ZAP costs 0.50% and manages $446M, nearly 85 times larger. AIHY launched 07/20/2026 with minimal operating history; ZAP launched 12/17/2024 and has built material scale.

Who each is best for

  • AIHY: Fits investors hunting concentrated exposure to the semiconductor, data-center, and software vendors powering AI workloads, with high conviction in AI infrastructure as a secular tailwind and tolerance for a newer fund with little track record.
  • ZAP: Fits investors seeking exposure to the long-term electrification trend through utilities and industrial equipment suppliers, preferring a more established fund with quarterly income and published market correlation.

Key risks to know

  • Extreme concentration in a single narrative. AIHY's entire portfolio is staked on sustained AI capex and adoption; a pullback in enterprise AI spending, supply-chain disruption in semiconductors, or competitive saturation in cloud infrastructure could severely pressure valuations across the fund's holdings.
  • Tiny AUM and fund viability. AIHY's $5.26M is a red flag for asset longevity; small ETFs face closure risk if assets don't grow, forcing shareholders into liquidations or mergers at inopportune moments.
  • Regulatory and policy risk in ZAP. Returns are tethered to grid-modernization funding, renewable-energy subsidies, and electrification mandates; changes in U.S. energy policy, state-level incentive programs, or utility rate regulation could alter the growth outlook for holdings.
  • Technology obsolescence in AIHY. Companies building today's AI infrastructure may face rapid displacement as AI chip architectures evolve or new compute paradigms emerge; winners and losers can shift quickly in early-stage infrastructure cycles.
  • Valuation sensitivity in both. Both funds hold equities riding secular themes that command premium multiples; rising interest rates or sentiment shifts can cause sharp NAV swings. If you prioritize concentrated AI upside, AIHY's focused structure delivers it; if you value thematic exposure with lower single-stock risk and more fund stability, ZAP's size and diversification across utilities and industrials suit a different profile. Past performance does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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