Understand, compare and model ETFs and index funds
indexfonds.eu brings together master data on ETFs and index funds, index explanations, calculators for model calculations and learning content – each with its source and data date.
For private investors who want to inform themselves and understand their decisions. The content is not investment advice and does not replace the issuers’ documents.
Data status: 4,109 funds · master data last checked on Sep 30, 2026 · latest closing price from Oct 16, 2026. Where the data comes from
What is an Index Fund?
An index fund is an investment fund that aims to track the performance of a specific market index as closely as possible, such as the MSCI World or the DAX.
Unlike actively managed funds, an index fund does not try to beat the market. Its performance still differs from the index – because of costs, taxes and the replication method (tracking difference).
Active or passive?
The regularly published SPIVA reports by S&P Dow Jones Indices show that over long periods the majority of actively managed equity funds did not outperform their benchmark after costs. Exact shares depend on region, period and fund category; this says nothing about individual funds or the future.
Index Funds vs. ETFs: What is the Difference?
An ETF (exchange traded fund) is a fund traded on a stock exchange. Most ETFs track an index, but actively managed ETFs also exist. Conversely, an index fund need not be exchange-traded: traditional index funds are issued and redeemed via the fund company.
Features of index funds – and their limits
Low ongoing charges
The ongoing charges (TER) of broadly diversified index ETFs are often well below those of actively managed funds. Trading costs apply when buying and selling; the tracking difference shows the actual costs.
Diversification
Depending on the index, a fund holds dozens to several thousand securities. This reduces single-company risk but does not protect against declines of the market as a whole.
Rule-based replication
The composition follows fixed index rules rather than individual decisions. Only the replication objective is predictable – not the performance of the index itself.
Transparent rules
Index providers publish their index methodology; fund issuers publish costs, the risk indicator and usually their holdings at regular intervals. For swap ETFs, the securities basket held differs from the index.
Risks and Important Notices
Index funds fluctuate with the market; large losses over longer periods are possible. Depending on the fund, currency, interest-rate, liquidity and counterparty risks apply (e.g. swap ETFs or securities lending). Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Risks explained in detailHow to start with index funds
You need a securities account to buy. Many brokers offer ETF savings plans for small monthly amounts; compare order, custody and savings-plan fees as well as the choice of funds.
Learn ETF basicsCalculators and tools
Model calculations with your own assumptions – including costs, inflation and scenarios, but no claim to forecast.
Wealth Builder
Model a savings plan with initial capital, monthly contribution, costs and inflation – including scenarios with lower and higher returns.
Open: Wealth BuilderPortfolio Analysis
Look at several funds together: overlaps, country and sector breakdown and weighted costs – where data is available.
Open: Portfolio AnalysisDividend calculator
Model distributions for an assumed dividend yield, dividend growth and taxes – with and without reinvestment.
Open: Dividend calculatorMore calculators: Withdrawal Plan · ETF Switch · Inflation · Rebalancing
Index encyclopedia
Understanding indices
How is an index constructed, who calculates it and which funds track it? The encyclopedia currently covers 2651 indices from our fund database.
For each index we show the assigned funds from our database and, where available, an editorial encyclopedia entry with a link to the index provider's official methodology.
The index provider's own documents are always authoritative for index composition and methodology.
Browse Encyclopedia Hub
Largest funds by size
Fund size according to the latest master data import; not a quality verdict.
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iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD (Acc) IE00B5BMR087€133.1 bn
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iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF USD (Acc) IE00B4L5Y983€127.1 bn
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Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating IE00BK5BQT80€50.7 bn
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Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Distributing IE00B3XXRP09€45.5 bn
- €39.6 bn
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Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF IE00B3YCGJ38€37.0 bn
Recently added to the database
Newly recorded by us – this says nothing about the fund’s launch date.
- TER 0.55%
- TER 0.45%
- TER 0.45%
- TER 0.25%
- TER 0.35%
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CT QR Series Emerging Markets Equity Active UCITS ETF Acc Columbia ThreadneedleTER 0.30%
ETF knowledge step by step
The academy explains basics such as index, replication, costs, risks, income treatment and taxes in text lessons – without buy recommendations.
- Text lessons from the basics to costs, risks and taxes
- Quiz for self-assessment (not yet in all languages)
- Index encyclopedia with links to the index providers’ methodology
Where the data comes from
We show data only with its source and date. If a value is missing, it says “N/A” – we do not estimate or fill in financial data.
- Sources
- Fund master data and largest holdings come mainly from public justETF fund profiles and a base dataset; closing prices from market data providers (the source is shown with each price); exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Index providers are authoritative for indices, the issuers’ documents for funds.
- Updates
- Closing prices and exchange rates are fetched every weekday morning, master data and holdings weekly – as far as the source provides data. Each fund page shows the data date.
- No real-time data
- Prices are closing prices of past trading days, not real-time prices. For buying and selling, the prices of your trading venue apply.
- Calculations
- We calculate risk figures such as volatility ourselves from closing prices; calculators are model calculations with constant assumptions. The formulas and assumptions are stated on each calculator or figure.
- Responsibility
- The operator named in the legal notice is responsible for the content and data processing. Legal Notice
Current data status
- Active funds in the database: 4,109
- Master data last checked: Sep 30, 2026
- Latest closing price from: Oct 16, 2026
Found a wrong or outdated value? Please report it – every report is reviewed.
Note: This information does not constitute investment advice. Data may be outdated.