CIBR vs HACK: The Two Leading Cybersecurity ETFs Compared
CIBR and HACK are the top two pure-play cybersecurity ETFs. Both charge 0.60%, hold similar names, and have roughly comparable performance. The differences are subtle but worth knowing.
CIBR (First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF) and HACK (ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF) are both pure-play cybersecurity ETFs targeting the same theme. CIBR tracks the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index of ~35 companies focused on infrastructure protection, network security, and cyber services. HACK tracks the Prime Cyber Defense Index of ~60 companies including some defense/government contractors alongside traditional cybersecurity names. Both charge exactly 0.60%. CIBR has grown to $6B+ in AUM and has more liquidity; HACK is the original cybersecurity ETF (launched 2014) with $1.5B in AUM. Performance is similar but CIBR has had a slight edge over recent periods. For most investors, CIBR's larger size and liquidity make it the default choice in this category.
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.
📋 CIBR vs HACK — Key Facts Side by Side
| Metric | CIBR | HACK |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF | Amplify Cybersecurity ETF |
| Issuer | First Trust | ETFMG |
| Tracks Index | Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity | Prime Cyber Defense |
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.60% |
| Cost per $10K/yr | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| AUM | $13.8B | $2.6B |
| Holdings | 35 | 60 |
| Inception | 2015 | 2014 |
| 1-Year Return | +25.50% | +29.99% |
| 3-Year Return | +28.92% | +31.28% |
| 5-Year Return | +14.77% | +12.53% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.06% |
| Holdings Overlap | See holdings overlap → | |
| Avg Bid-Ask Spread | 0.02% | 0.03% |
Expense ratio, AUM, and returns updated Jul 14, 2026 from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.
📊 CIBR vs HACK — Annualised Returns
Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🎯 Which Fund Fits Which Investor?
- already use First Trust and prefer staying within one fund family
- want broader diversification (60 holdings vs 35)
- already use ETFMG 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.
🧩 What CIBR and HACK Actually Hold in Common
Among their top holdings, CIBR and HACK hold 8 of the same companies: Palo Alto Networks Inc, Fortinet Inc, CrowdStrike Holdings Inc Class A, Cisco Systems Inc, Broadcom Inc, Cloudflare Inc, among others.
- Palo Alto Networks Inc • 9.6%
- Fortinet Inc • 8.8%
- CrowdStrike Holdings Inc Class A • 8.3%
- Cisco Systems Inc • 7.7%
- Broadcom Inc • 6.7%
- Cloudflare Inc • 4.0%
- Okta Inc Class A • 3.5%
- F5 Inc • 3.4%
- Zscaler Inc 3.0%
- Akamai Technologies Inc 2.8%
- Palo Alto Networks Inc • 6.6%
- Broadcom Inc • 6.0%
- Cisco Systems Inc • 5.8%
- CrowdStrike Holdings Inc Class A • 5.5%
- Fortinet Inc • 5.4%
- General Dynamics Corp 4.9%
- Cloudflare Inc • 4.8%
- Okta Inc Class A • 4.4%
- F5 Inc • 4.3%
- Northrop Grumman Corp 4.3%
Based on each fund's largest disclosed holdings. Names marked • are held by both. Weights shift over time. For overlap beyond the top holdings shown here, the holdings overlap tool shows the full picture.
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❓ CIBR vs HACK — Frequently Asked Questions
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