How do I find an ETF that is similar in investment goals to a given Mutual Fund?

With some searching, I was able to find a way which is not the easiest. I wanted to share this for others that may be struggling with this and if anyone has a better way, please post..

1. Go to ETF database to get a set of ETFs that map to a particular mutual fund. plug in the mutual fund symbol on this website (http://etfdb.com/mutualfund/NBFCX/). You get a set of ETFs that match the mutual funds investment style

2. Go to Vanguard site to compare your mutual fund and the ETFs from step #1 to compare expense ration vs. historical performance (https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/vanguard/compare?navigatingFrom=5)

ETF's and index funds (and most mutual funds) track specifically defined benchmark indexes. The most precise way to compare mutual funds, index funds, and ETF's is to compare with other funds that track the same benchmark.

For example, VEU tracks the FTSE All World Ex US index. You can directly compare this, then to mutual funds and index funds that track the same index. For example, among Vanguard funds, VFWAX tracks the same benchmark. In many cases, only one mutual fund or ETF will track a particular benchmark, but you can find funds that track nearly identical benchmarks. Going to Fidelity, we see FSGDX, which tracks the MSCI all country ex US index.

To find a fund's benchmark, you can check out its prospectus, which is available from the fund's family (vanguard, fidelity, blackrock, etc) or you can just read its profile some place like finance.yahoo.com. Search for the fund or etf by ticker, then click "profile" and read under "fund summary." The benchmark should be listed there.

For a given benchmark, what's the best way to find funds that use that benchmark? Probably a google search.