ARKX vs XOVR: The Famous Space ETF vs the One That Actually Holds SpaceX
Everyone searching for SpaceX exposure finds ARKX. It does not hold SpaceX. XOVR does, as its top position, but you pay 1.81% for it. Here is the honest comparison.
ARKX is Cathie Wood's space and innovation ETF. It holds roughly 35 publicly traded companies across space, aerospace, 3D printing, and autonomous technology, charges 0.75%, and does not currently hold SpaceX, which is still private. XOVR is a different kind of fund: a private-public crossover ETF whose largest holding is a stake in SpaceX at about 14% of assets, bought on the secondary market. It charges 1.81%, more than double ARKX, which is the cost of an active fund that buys into private companies. So the choice is not really ARKX or XOVR on the same terms. If you specifically want SpaceX exposure today, ARKX does not give it to you and XOVR does, with the trade-offs that come with a 1.81% fee, a concentrated position, and a private valuation that is marked periodically rather than priced live. If you want a diversified, cheaper bet on the broad space and innovation theme, ARKX is the lower-cost vehicle. After the SpaceX IPO, ARK has signaled it expects to add SpaceX, and over time broad-market funds will hold it cheaply by default, which weakens the long-term case for paying 1.81% to own it early.
Whether the lower-cost fund suits your situation depends on your existing holdings, account type, tax situation, and how you use each fund. This is a cost comparison, not a personalized recommendation.
Both funds trade commission-free at every major brokerage. How the major brokerages compare →
📋 ARKX vs XOVR — Key Facts Side by Side
| Metric | ARKX | XOVR |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF | ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF |
| Issuer | ARK Invest | ERShares |
| Tracks Index | Active (space & innovation) | Active (private + public crossover) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% ✓ | 1.81% |
| Cost per $10K/yr | $75.00 | $181.00 |
| AUM | $933.6M | $2.2B |
| Holdings | 35 | 33 |
| Inception | 2021 | 2017 |
| 1-Year Return | +15.97% | -4.03% |
| 3-Year Return | +26.71% | +14.65% |
| 5-Year Return | +8.54% | +2.48% |
| Holdings Overlap | See holdings overlap → | |
| Avg Bid-Ask Spread | 0.04% | 0.09% |
Expense ratio, AUM, and returns updated Jul 26, 2026 from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.
📊 ARKX vs XOVR — Annualised Returns
Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🎯 Which Fund Fits Which Investor?
- want the lowest fees: saves ~$106/yr per $10K vs XOVR
- already use ARK Invest and prefer staying within one fund family
- already use ERShares and prefer staying within one fund family
💰 What the Fee Difference Actually Costs
Adjust the numbers for your situation. This models each fund's expense ratio compounding against your balance over time.
Assumes a constant annual return reinvested, with each fund's expense ratio deducted yearly. Illustrative only; actual returns vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
⚙️ Want the Full Interactive Comparison?
Side-by-side holdings overlap, sector breakdown, and live performance tabs, all in one place.
Run Full ARKX vs XOVR Comparison → Free · No signup · Instant resultsGet smarter about ETFs — one concept a week, free forever
The ETF BFF newsletter breaks down one ETF concept per week — clear, jargon-free, and actually useful.
Reviewed by a CFA® charterholder · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
❓ ARKX vs XOVR — Frequently Asked Questions
New to ETF investing? See answers to the most common ETF questions →