8 Best Index Funds to Build a Long-Term Portfolio

1. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

VTSAX is one of the top index funds available. It has a low expense ratio of 0.04%, costing you $4 for every $10,000 invested.

2. Vanguard 500 Index Fund

The Vanguard 500 index fund was the very first index fund. VFIAX is the admiral shares version, and it requires a minimum investment of $3,000.

3. Fidelity Large Cap Zero Fund

Fidelity has developed a couple of no-fee funds to help investors gain an advantage in the index fund market. One of these funds is the Fidelity Large Cap Zero Fund.

4. Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF

If investing in real estate is something you want to do, VNQ is a great ETF to consider. It is invested in REITs, which purchase real estate such as office buildings, shopping malls, and retirement homes. 

5. Vanguard International Index Fund

The VXUS ETF is an index investing ETF that tracks the FTSE Global All Capitalization ex-US Index, which includes over 7,800 companies from 46 different countries. 

6. Invesco QQQ Trust

QQQ follows the Nasdaq 100, which exposes the top 100 technology companies in the United States. It is one of the most popular ETFs, with a high liquidity factor for option traders.

7. Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF

If you like dividend stocks but want an index fund that can help with market volatility, the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is ideal.

8. Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund

The Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) is another excellent index fund that replicates the S&P 500. It has a low expense ratio of 0.02%, which amounts to only $2 per $10,000 invested.