Investors don’t just like exchange-traded funds ETFs that pay dividends on a monthly instead of a quarterly basis. They love them because they provide a predictable earnings flow.

Not only is that a godsend for senior citizens and others who are on a fixed income, they also are attractive to any investor seeking income in the current, often-volatile stock market. Most people also find it easier to budget when their income is more predictable. Luckily, there are plethora of monthly dividend ETF funds to choose from offered by the major firms including State Street Global Advisors (via its SPDR ETFs), The Vanguard Group, and BlackRock, Inc. (BLK ) (via its iShares ETFs), along with smaller firms such as Global X Funds.

There are plenty of choices for both equity and fixed income investors, but it pays to be choosey. Funds managers sometimes offer high double-digit yields that they can’t sustain in order to attract investors who would otherwise ignore them. It’s important to pay attention to expense ratios. as well. Remember, the less money that goes into a manager’s pocket the better. As always, it’s important to do your due diligence. (For more, see: Due Diligence on Dividends .)

For investors interested in these funds, here are a few names to consider (in no particular order). The performance figures are as of the end of December 2014.

1) Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV )

Assets Under Management: $1 billion

Total Expenses: 0.58%

Yield: 5.54%

2014 Performance: 4.52%

This fund tracks an index of the 100 equally-weighted companies that rank among the highest dividend payers in the world, including common stocks, real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships. a strategy that has earned it kudos in the financial press. These firms also have to have lower-than-average volatility to be included in the index.

2) Global X U.S. SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV )

Assets Under Management: $302 million

Total Expenses: 0.45%

Yield: 5.83%

2014 performance: 17.45%

Like it’s international counterpart, DIV focuses on low-volatility, high-yielding securities. Its basket of 50 securities includes MLPs, REITs and common stocks. There is no reason why an investor can’t buy both funds to ensure that their portfolio is diversified.

3) PowerShares S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPHD )

Assets under management: $263 million

Total expenses: 0.30%

Yield: 3.26%

2014 performance: 20.01%

This fund looks for stocks that both pay high dividends and offer low volatility. It’s heavily weighted toward utilities. Other holdings include Health Care REIT, Inc. (HCN ) and Altria Group, Inc. (MO ) The fund’s low expenses are especially attractive.

4) WisdomTree High-Yielding Equity Fund ETF (DHS )

Assets Under Management: $1.05 billion

Total Expenses: 0.38%

Yield: 2.91%

2014 performance: 15.19%

DHS mimics The WisdomTree Equity Income Index, a fundamentally weighted index that feature companies ranked by dividend yield with average daily trading volumes of at least $200 million. The fund’s holdings are well diversified among sectors such as financials, energy and consumer staples.

5) PowerShares KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETF (KBWD )

Assets Under Management: $277 million

Total Expenses: 0.35%

Yield: 8.33%

2014 performance: 8.3%

This fund’s fat dividend yield of 8.33% is pretty tempting. KBWD is heavily weighted towards real estate (41.95%) and financials (56.02%), which should perform better in a rising interest rate environment.