Cost
should not be the deciding factor, but the after fees and taxes on gains return. . a 25% return with 5% taxable gain and a 2% fee vs a 20% return with a 15% taxable gain and a 0.5% fee are not the same after tax return.
Its highlighted as the typical consumer puts a heavy weight on cost savings, as their only differentiating and controllable choice.
Vanguard has trademarked a mutual fund tax strategy, which reduces/eliminates taxes annually on certain mutual funds. So before you say "Great!, they minimize the annual tax bill, but that increases the taxable gain bill when sold, meaning a larger portion of the sale price are taxes and less return of capital. So the increased amount will be taxed at the capital gains amount, for index gains and the saved tax gains each year. So pay a small amount annually or pay a larger amount when sold. Of course doesn't matter inside an IRA/401K or other qualified plan, but the after fees and taxes return is the correct metric to evaluate any investment.
Is that easy? not always, because it's not always published what the turnover and the annual taxable gains are, as it's inconsistent annually, and not required by law. . or i haven't seen as a tear sheet item.
good luck all
former finance guy