When it comes to long-term investing, simplicity and patience often win.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) allow investors to capture the returns of entire markets or sectors with a single trade, making them ideal for those who want to build wealth steadily over decades.
Here are five ASX ETFs that look like smart buy-and-hold choices for the next 25 years.
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
The first ASX ETF to consider as a long term investment is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.
It gives investors exposure to 500 of the largest stocks on Wall Street. These are world-leading businesses across technology, healthcare, consumer goods, and more.
That means owning companies like Home Depot (NYSE: HD) in retail, AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) in pharmaceuticals, and Visa (NYSE: V) in payments — alongside the headline tech giants. With the U.S. economy's track record of growth and innovation, this fund is arguably a natural core holding.
Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)
Australia might not be known as a global technology hub, but it does have a growing list of homegrown success stories. The Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF gives investors exposure to the country's most innovative tech names in one simple trade.
Its portfolio includes WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) in logistics software, Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) in cloud accounting, and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) in enterprise software.
These are businesses that have proven they can compete on a global stage. For investors who want to capture the growth potential of Australian technology, the Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF offers a straightforward way to do it.
Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)
While broad index funds provide breadth, quality-focused ETFs aim to tilt toward stocks with strong profitability, low debt, and consistent earnings growth. The Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF does exactly that.
Its portfolio features global leaders such as Hermes International in luxury retail, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) in consumer goods, and Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) in software. Over the long run, high-quality companies tend to outperform, making this ASX ETF a compelling complement to broader index funds.
Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)
Asia is home to some of the world's fastest-growing tech giants, and the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF provides direct exposure to this booming sector. Its top holdings include Tencent (SEHK: 700) in digital services, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) in semiconductors, and PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD) in e-commerce.
With billions of consumers coming online and digital adoption accelerating across the region, it is possible that Asia's technology leaders could be among the biggest winners over the next 25 years.
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)
The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF takes its inspiration from Warren Buffett's philosophy. The ETF focuses on U.S. businesses that are fairly valued and protected by strong moats.
That means owning names like Allegion (NYSE: ALLE) in building security, West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE: WST) in medical packaging, and Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) in beverages. It is a more selective approach, aimed at compounding returns from businesses that can defend market share and profitability over decades.
