Best AI & Technology ETFs

Intermediate

Compare ETFs focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and the broader technology sector. High-growth potential with higher volatility.

Updated 2025-05

Written by Mottalib RadifMBA INSEAD

Artificial intelligence and the technology sector are experiencing exceptional growth, driven by the rise of generative AI, cloud computing, semiconductors and the digital transformation of businesses. Companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, TSMC and ASML are at the heart of this revolution that is reshaping entire swathes of the global economy.

AI & technology ETFs let you gain exposure to this theme without picking individual stocks. They typically group companies involved in semiconductors, software, cloud computing, robotics and artificial intelligence. Depending on the underlying index, concentration can vary significantly: some ETFs are highly focused (pure-play AI), while others cover the broader tech sector (Nasdaq-100, MSCI World IT).

A word of caution: tech ETFs are inherently more volatile than broad market indices. In 2022, the Nasdaq-100 fell over 30%, before rebounding more than 50% in 2023. This comparison helps you navigate the range of technology ETFs available in Europe, analysing fees, composition and historical performance of each fund.

Avg. TER

0.44%

Avg. 1Y Perf

+32.3%

Total AUM

1092.8B

ETFs available

QQQ — Nasdaq-100

Invesco QQQ Trust

View details→

+88.7%

Simulated from available data points. Past returns do not guarantee future results.

How to choose an AI & technology ETF

The first criterion is the underlying index. The Nasdaq-100 is the most well-known: it groups the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on Nasdaq, with heavy dominance from GAFAM and semiconductor companies. For a more targeted AI exposure, indices like the MSCI ACWI IMI Robotics & AI or the Solactive Global Artificial Intelligence focus specifically on companies whose core business is AI.

Fees vary considerably in this category. A standard Nasdaq-100 ETF (Invesco, iShares, Amundi) charges a TER of 0.20-0.33%, while a thematic AI ETF can reach 0.35-0.50%. This premium is justified if the stock selection closely matches your investment conviction.

Check the fund's concentration: some tech ETFs allocate over 40% of their weight to the top 5 holdings (Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, etc.). This concentration amplifies gains in rising markets but increases risk during downturns. For French investors, several Nasdaq-100 ETFs are PEA-eligible through synthetic replication — a meaningful tax advantage.

Full Comparison

#	Name	TER	AUM	Replication	Distribution	1Y	3Y	5Y
1	SOXLDirexion ICE Semiconductor 3x Leveraged	0.76%	31.6B	synthetic	distributing	+346.2%	+66.4%	+19.7%
2	SMHVanEck MarketVector US Listed Semiconductor 10% Capped	0.35%	7.8B	physical	accumulating	+156.1%	—	+35.3%
3	SEMIL&G ROBO Global Semiconductor	0.34%	6.5B	physical	accumulating	+124.2%	+35.9%	+22.1%
4	SOXXiShares ICE Semiconductor	0.35%	47.8B	physical	distributing	+107.9%	+43.5%	+26.6%
5	ISPYiShares STOXX Global Digital Security Select	0.40%	1.2B	physical	accumulating	+46.8%	+26.5%	+12.3%
6	TQQQProShares NASDAQ-100 3x Leveraged	0.86%	39.0B	synthetic	distributing	+40.2%	+46.5%	+13.6%
7	XAIXXtrackers Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data	0.35%	9.1B	physical	accumulating	+39.9%	+30.8%	+18.9%
8	RBOTiShares iSTOXX FactSet Automation & Robotics	0.40%	5.6B	physical	accumulating	+34.9%	+20.7%	+8.6%
9	QLDProShares NASDAQ-100 2x Leveraged	0.95%	14.6B	synthetic	distributing	+32.2%	+37.3%	+16.7%
10	XLKSPDR Technology Select Sector	0.09%	123.9B	physical	distributing	+31.9%	+27.0%	+17.8%
11	PANXAmundi Nasdaq-100	0.23%	462M	synthetic	accumulating	+31.6%	+23.6%	+15.8%
12	HACKETFMG Prime Cyber Defense	0.60%	2.6B	physical	distributing	+30.7%	+28.1%	+11.6%
13	VGTVanguard MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50	0.10%	169.2B	physical	distributing	+29.4%	+27.6%	+16.8%
14	CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity	0.60%	13.8B	physical	distributing	+29.1%	+26.8%	+13.5%
15	WCBRWisdomTree WisdomTree Team8 Cybersecurity	0.45%	431M	physical	accumulating	+28.6%	+23.5%	+7.7%
16	QDVEiShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector EUR Hedged	0.20%	18.3B	physical	accumulating	+27.0%	+27.9%	+20.6%
17	WITSiShares MSCI World Information Technology	0.25%	1.1B	physical	distributing	+26.6%	—	—
18	LOCKiShares STOXX Global Digital Security	0.40%	1.9B	physical	accumulating	+26.4%	+20.8%	+8.9%
19	IUITiShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector	0.15%	18.3B	physical	accumulating	+25.4%	+29.7%	+20.1%
20	CYBRiShares STOXX Global Digital Security Select	0.40%	131M	physical	accumulating	+24.3%	+22.2%	+8.2%
21	BCHNInvesco CoinShares Blockchain Global Equity	0.65%	1.0B	physical	accumulating	+23.6%	+35.9%	+8.5%
22	UNICiShares STOXX Global Metaverse	0.50%	186M	physical	accumulating	+22.9%	—	—
23	XDWFXtrackers MSCI World Information Technology	0.25%	907M	physical	accumulating	+22.9%	+23.5%	+14.9%
24	XNASXtrackers Nasdaq-100	0.20%	2.5B	physical	accumulating	+22.8%	+21.3%	+14.5%
25	EXXTiShares TecDAX	0.51%	6.3B	physical	distributing	+22.3%	+20.8%	+13.9%
26	PUSTAmundi Solactive US Large & Mid Cap Technology	0.30%	1.2B	synthetic	accumulating	+22.2%	+21.0%	+14.2%
27	CSNDXiShares Nasdaq-100	0.33%	14.5B	physical	accumulating	+21.0%	+22.9%	+13.9%
28	EQQQInvesco Nasdaq-100	0.30%	11.8B	physical	distributing	+20.7%	+20.4%	+14.2%
29	QQQInvesco Nasdaq-100	0.20%	490.1B	physical	distributing	+19.7%	+22.7%	+13.3%
30	SKYYFirst Trust ISE Cloud Computing	0.60%	2.7B	physical	distributing	+18.7%	+22.3%	+5.9%
31	CLOUGlobal X Indxx Global Cloud Computing	0.68%	228M	physical	distributing	+15.5%	+7.5%	-3.0%
32	XDWCXtrackers MSCI World Communication Services	0.25%	330M	physical	accumulating	+7.7%	+8.7%	+4.9%
33	WCLDWisdomTree BVP Nasdaq Emerging Cloud	0.45%	245M	physical	distributing	+6.0%	+3.2%	-9.6%
34	BOTZGlobal X Indxx Global Robotics & AI Thematic	0.68%	3.5B	physical	distributing	+4.8%	+8.6%	+0.5%
35	VOXVanguard MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50	0.10%	5.9B	physical	distributing	+4.3%	+18.4%	+4.6%
36	EXV8iShares STOXX Europe 600 Technology	0.46%	822M	physical	distributing	+3.5%	+12.3%	+7.1%
37	DGTLiShares iSTOXX FactSet Digitalisation	0.40%	737M	physical	accumulating	+1.6%	+13.4%	+0.8%
38	XLCSPDR Communication Services Select Sector	0.09%	22.3B	physical	distributing	+0.6%	+17.3%	+5.5%
39	ARKKARK Invest ARK Innovation (Active)	0.75%	6.5B	physical	accumulating	-4.7%	+16.2%	-10.3%
40	PSQProShares NASDAQ-100 -1x Inverse	0.95%	601M	synthetic	distributing	-17.6%	-20.2%	-14.7%
41	HEROGlobal X Solactive Video Games & Esports	0.50%	62M	physical	distributing	-20.1%	+8.4%	-2.2%
42	KWEBKraneShares CSI Overseas China Internet	0.68%	4.9B	physical	distributing	-20.5%	-2.3%	-10.2%
43	SQQQProShares NASDAQ-100 -3x Inverse	0.86%	2.0B	synthetic	distributing	-50.0%	-54.5%	-46.7%
44	PNRJAmundi Nasdaq-100	0.23%	3M	synthetic	accumulating	—	—	—

Key takeaways

1The Nasdaq-100 offers the most liquid and cheapest tech exposure, with TERs starting from 0.20%.
2Thematic AI ETFs (Xtrackers AI & Big Data, L&G Artificial Intelligence) are more concentrated and expensive, but precisely target the artificial intelligence sector.
3Tech ETF volatility is 1.5 to 2 times that of an MSCI World ETF — limit the allocation to 10-20% of your total portfolio.
4Nvidia, Microsoft and TSMC appear in virtually all ETFs in this category, creating overlap risk if you already hold an S&P 500 or MSCI World ETF.
5Several Nasdaq-100 ETFs are PEA-eligible (Amundi, Lyxor) with a TER of 0.22-0.30%.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a Nasdaq-100 ETF and an AI ETF?

The Nasdaq-100 is a broad index grouping the 100 largest non-financial companies on Nasdaq — it includes tech but also consumer stocks (Costco, PepsiCo) and healthcare (Amgen). A thematic AI ETF focuses exclusively on companies whose core business is artificial intelligence, robotics or machine learning. The Nasdaq-100 is more diversified and cheaper, while an AI ETF offers purer but riskier exposure.

Are technology ETFs too risky for beginners?

Not necessarily, as long as you limit position size. A tech ETF can represent 10-15% of a diversified portfolio without skewing the overall risk profile. The key is not to put 100% of your savings into a single sector. Combine a tech ETF with a global ETF (MSCI World) and possibly bonds for a balanced portfolio suited to your risk tolerance.

Should I invest in AI now or wait for a correction?

Market timing fails in the majority of cases. Studies show that staying invested over the long term is more profitable than trying to buy at the bottom. If you believe in AI's potential over 10-20 years, regular investing (DCA) lets you average your entry price and reduce the impact of volatility. The sector may see corrections of 30-40%, but the structural trend of AI adoption remains intact.

What’s the difference between a Nasdaq-100 ETF and a pure AI ETF?

The Nasdaq-100 includes the 100 largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks, offering broad tech diversification. A pure AI ETF (like WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence) specifically targets AI companies, with more concentrated risk.

Are tech ETFs suitable for a DCA strategy?

Yes, DCA (dollar-cost averaging) is particularly suited to tech ETFs as it smooths out the sector’s high volatility. You buy more units when prices drop, lowering your average cost basis.

How do AI ETFs select companies?

Most use quantitative criteria: AI patents, percentage of revenue from AI, and R&D investment in the field. Some indices add qualitative screening by expert committees.

Data sourced from fund factsheets. Last updated 2025-05.

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Best AI & Technology ETFs

QQQ — Nasdaq-100

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How to choose an AI & technology ETF

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Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions