AI robotics ETFs let you own dozens of automation and machine-learning names in one ticker. On Gotrade, three funds dominate this theme: ROBO, BOTZ, and ROBT.
Each fund slices the AI and robotics universe differently. Picking the right one depends on what you actually want exposure to.
This guide compares holdings, fees, and methodology so you can match a fund to your portfolio goals.
Why AI & Robotics ETFs Beat Single-Stock Bets
AI and robotics is a winner-take-most race. Picking the eventual leaders early is hard, even for full-time professionals.
A thematic ETF spreads your bet across chipmakers, software firms, industrial robot builders, and surgical-robot pioneers in one trade.
You also avoid the timing risk of buying a single name at the wrong moment in its cycle. Diversification absorbs single-stock blow-ups while keeping you in the theme through volatility.
Single names like Nvidia have tripled in some windows and dropped 30% in others. A fund smooths that.
For a primer on how thematic funds fit a beginner portfolio, see our guide on best ETFs for beginners.
ROBO vs BOTZ vs ROBT Holdings Compared
Each fund draws from a different slice of the AI and automation map. The holdings tell the story.
ROBO: broad robotics with hardware bias
ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF holds 77 stocks with no position above 2.5%. Top names include Keyence, ABB, Nvidia, FANUC, and Intuitive Surgical.
That mix leans toward factory automation and surgical robotics, with semiconductor exposure as a supporting layer.
BOTZ: concentrated industrial AI bets
BOTZ runs a tighter book focused on industrial robotics manufacturers, automation hardware, and autonomous-vehicle plays. Top holdings include Nvidia, ABB, and FANUC.
It is more concentrated than ROBO, so single-name performance moves the fund more.
ROBT: software and mid-cap tilt
ROBT holds about 114 stocks across AI software, robotics, and automation. Top weights include Cloudflare, Palo Alto Networks, Synopsys, SentinelOne, and C3.ai.
That tilts the fund toward AI software and cybersecurity rather than physical robots.
Open a Gotrade account in minutes and buy fractional shares of ROBO, BOTZ, or ROBT from $1. Build your AI and robotics exposure without picking individual stocks.
Performance, Fees, and Index Methodology
Fees and index design shape long-run returns more than most investors realize.
Expense ratios and assets
According to The Motley Fool, ROBO charges 0.95% annually with $1.77 billion in assets. BOTZ charges 0.68% with $3.44 billion in assets, and ROBT charges 0.65% with $675.9 million.
ROBT is the cheapest of the three by fee, BOTZ is the largest by assets, and ROBO carries the highest expense ratio but the broadest hardware-heavy lineup of any fund here.
Index methodology differences
ROBO tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index, an equal-weighted index designed to limit single-name concentration. BOTZ is actively managed by Global X, targeting firms benefiting from robotics and AI adoption.
ROBT tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Index, blending AI enablers and robotics innovators with a mid-cap lean.
Recent performance gap
Per TipRanks, BOTZ returned about 16.4% over the past six months while ROBT returned 2.62%. Heavy weighting in Nvidia and ABB drove most of the BOTZ lead during that window.
Tracking quality also matters, especially over multi-year holds. Our explainer on ETF tracking difference covers why two funds in the same theme can deliver different net returns.
Which ETF Fits Different Investor Profiles
There is no single best AI robotics ETF. The right pick depends on what role the fund plays in your portfolio.
For broad, equal-weighted exposure
Choose ROBO if you want a diversified basket with a hard cap on single-name risk. The 2.5% position limit keeps any one stock from dominating returns.
It suits investors who want the theme without betting on specific winners.
For concentrated growth conviction
Choose BOTZ if you want a tighter, growth-oriented book with meaningful weight in Nvidia and industrial automation leaders.
It rewards investors comfortable with concentration risk in exchange for sharper upside when top holdings run.
For software-heavy AI exposure
Choose ROBT if you believe AI software, cybersecurity, and chip-design tools will compound faster than physical robotics. The mid-cap tilt also adds smaller, faster-growing names.
Conclusion
ROBO, BOTZ, and ROBT all give you diversified access to the AI and robotics theme, but they are not interchangeable. ROBO spreads risk evenly across hardware names, BOTZ concentrates in industrial leaders, and ROBT leans into AI software.
Match the fund to the role you want it to play. A single-fund holding works for most investors, while sophisticated portfolios may blend two to balance hardware and software exposure.
FAQ
Which AI robotics ETF has the lowest fee?
ROBT has the lowest expense ratio at 0.65%, followed by BOTZ at 0.68% and ROBO at 0.95%.
Can I buy ROBO, BOTZ, and ROBT on Gotrade?
Yes. All three are available as fractional shares on Gotrade Global, so you can start from $1.
What is the main difference between BOTZ and ROBO?
BOTZ is more concentrated in top industrial robotics and AI hardware names, while ROBO equal-weights a broader 77-stock basket capped at 2.5% per name.
Does ROBT hold physical robotics companies?
ROBT includes some robotics names but tilts toward AI software, cybersecurity, and semiconductor design firms like Synopsys and Palo Alto Networks.
Is one ETF enough for AI and robotics exposure?
For most investors, one fund is enough. Investors wanting balanced hardware and software exposure sometimes pair BOTZ or ROBO with ROBT.
