Largest Alternative Asset Managers by AUM in 2025

Asset managers oversee the investment and management of financial assets on behalf of their clients, which can be institutional or individual investors. Alternative asset managers invest in non-traditional financial products or apply non-traditional investing techniques to enhance returns for their investors.

The adoption of alternative investments, also called “alternatives or alts,” is growing rapidly as investors seek better returns. Alternative assets have been a favourite of institutional investors, but they’re quickly becoming more popular among individual investors.

While more investors are adopting alternative assets, those already in are increasing their capital allocation to alts. Consequently, the value of alternative assets under management is forecast to surpass $23 trillion by 2026, from $10 trillion in 2019, according to Ernst & Young.

Alternative investment managers come in a variety of sizes and shapes. However, most investors seem to prefer investing with large asset managers. The value of assets under management (AUM) is the popular metric for ranking asset managers by size. 

Here’s the list of the largest alternative asset managers in the world by assets under management in 2025:

Largest Alternative Asset Managers by AUM in 2025

With $1.2 trillion in assets under management, Blackstone is the largest alternative asset manager in 2025. Blackstone invests on behalf of institutional and individual clients worldwide. It invests through a portfolio of funds and companies in diverse sectors. Brookfield is the second-largest alternative asset manager and Hamilton Lane rounds up the list of the top 3 largest alternative investment managers.

List of the largest alternative asset managers by AUM in 2025

Blackstone

AUM: $1.2 trillion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

With $1.2 trillion in assets under management, Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone’s portfolio consists of more than 250 portfolio companies and 12,500 real estate assets. Its asset portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors. Blackstone serves both institutional and individual investors around the world. It targets asset classes such as private equity, credit, insurance and infrastructure.

Brookfield

AUM: +$1 trillion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

Founded in 1899, Brookfield invests in private equity, credit, real estate, insurance and infrastructure markets. It’s a major investor in renewable energy projects.

Brookfield strives to invest in assets and businesses that are the backbone of the global economy. It has investments in more than two dozen countries across five continents. Brookfield invests in alternative investment products on behalf of a diverse range of clients, including sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and private investors.

The firm likes to invest in businesses with high barriers to entry. With its global reach, massive capital and decades of experience, Brookfield can invest where many competitors cannot.  The firm seeks to generate attractive, long-term returns for its investors.

Hamilton Lane

AUM: $956 billion

Reporting date: December 31st, 2024

With $956 billion assets under management, Hamilton Lane is one the leading alternative investment firms in the world. The firm serves institutional investors and private wealth clients, offering them access to a broad mix of investment products.

Founded in 1991, Hamilton primarily invests in private markets. It mainly targets direct equity, direct credit, and secondary markets. The firm allocates at least 35% of its assets to direct equity and direct credit each. Hamilton has a global investment footprint; 60% of its assets are invested in North America.

Apollo Global Management

AUM: $785 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

Apollo describes itself as a high-growth alternative asset manager. Apollo seeks to provide its investors with excess return at every point in its multi-pronged investment approach.

As an asset manager with a large portfolio, Apollo performs the double role of generating returns to investors and providing capital to businesses. Apollo’s investments cover credit, equity and real estate assets. A significant focus of the firm is on fixed-income and private investment grade markets.

KKR

AUM: $627 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

KKR is a global investment firm with $600 billion in assets under management. The firm takes a disciplined investment approach and seeks to generate attractive returns for its investors. The firm invests on behalf of institutional and individual clients. It invests in credit, private equity and real assets through sponsored funds and portfolio companies.

KKR has been in the investing business since 1976. It initially focused on U.S. investments but has since broadened its investment scope and geographic footprint.

Ares Management

AUM: $546 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

Ares Management is a global alternative asset manager with $546 billion in assets under management as of December 31st, 2024. The firm invests on behalf of individual and institutional investors in private equity, credit, real estate and infrastructure markets around the globe.

Ares Management has been in the investment business since 1997. It seeks to generate consistent returns in all market conditions.

As part of its investment strategy, Ares Management supports businesses across sectors by providing flexible capital solutions. The firm invests in both primary and secondary markets.

Carlyle Group

AUM: $453 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

Carlyle is a leading private equity and alternative asset manager. Founded in 1987, the firm manages assets across three business segments and through 600 investment vehicles. That makes it one of the world’s most diversified investment managers.

Carlyle seeks to invest wisely and deliver long-term value for its investors. The firm invests on behalf of individual and institutional investors across four continents. The firm’s assets under management stood at $453 billion. Carlyle invests in equity, credit and a range of other non-traditional investment products. Private equity and credit markets account for over 80% of Carlyle’s AUM.

The firm’s industry expertise, diverse teams and global reach help it maintain a competitive advantage, allowing it to deliver great returns for investors.

EQT AB Group

AUM: $316 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

EQT Group is a Swedish global investment firm and one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers. It has more than $316 billion in assets under management as of March 31st, 2025. Founded in 1994, EQT operates multiple funds through which it invests in private equity, infrastructure and real estate assets worldwide. It also makes venture capital investments in promising businesses in diverse sectors.

The firm is focused on delivering attractive and consistent returns for its investors. Shares of EQT are listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm stock market under the “EQT” ticker symbol.

Bain Capital

AUM: $185 billion

Reporting date: September 3oth, 2024

Bain Capital is a global alternative investment firm. Founded in 1984 and based in Boston, Bain Capital has footprints across four continents and serves diverse investors. The firm’s investments are mainly focused on private equity, public equity, credit, venture capital and real estate markets. It has about $185 billion in assets under management as of September 3oth, 2024.

Bain Capital’s venture arm has invested in many crypto startups and projects around the world. Its crypto portfolio includes DeFi protocols Aera and Flood and blockchain games developers Curio and Osmosis.

Ardian

AUM: $180 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

Ardian is a French multinational investment firm with $180 billion in assets under management as of March 31st, 2025. It invests on behalf of pension plans, sovereign funds, financial institutions, insurance companies, family offices and other clients.

Ardian invests in primary and secondary markets, offering clients access to a diverse range of traditional and alternative investment products. It invests across private equity, credit, real estate and infrastructure.

Ardian firm seeks to deliver excellent returns and make finance a force for good. The firm aims to invest in a manner that builds sustainable, long-term value and aligns with its social responsibilities.

AQR Capital Management

AUM: $160 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

AQR Capital is a global investment management firm founded in 1998. While the firm invests in traditional and alternative investment products around the globe, it’s best known for its alternative investment strategy. It has $160 billion in assets under management as of March 31st, 2025. AQR Capital applies a quantitative investing approach, and portfolio diversity is a cornerstone of its investing strategy. The firm invests through multiple funds, primarily serving institutional investors and financial advisors.

Partners Group

AUM: $152 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

Partners Group is a Swiss-based investment firm that specialises in alternative investments. The firm has $152 billion in assets under management and has invested $234 billion since its inception in 1996.

The firm invests on behalf of various investor groups. Its investing clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, institutional investors and private investors.

Partners Group’s specialty is private markets. It invests in private equity, private debt, private real estate and private infrastructure. The firm invests across diverse sectors and seeks to generate strong, sustainable returns for its investors.

When it comes to investing strategy, Partners Group seeks out attractive businesses and assets and transforms them into market leaders. When Partners Group invests in a business or asset, it usually seeks a holding period of 5 – 8 years.

CVC Capital Partners

AUM: $138 billion

Reporting date: March 31st, 2025

CVC Capital Partners is a global alternative investment manager. Founded in 1981, the firm is based in Luxembourg but invests globally, mainly in American, European and Asian markets. CVC Capital’s assets under management stood at over $138 billion as of March 31st, 2025.

The firm invests through a portfolio of funds in private equity, credit and secondary markets. CVC Capital has invested in more than 120 companies across diverse sectors. Sustainability is a central component of the firm’s investment strategy.

Bridgewater Associates

AUM: $92 billion

Reporting date: December 31st, 2024

Bridgewater Associates is the world’s largest hedge fund and one of the leading alternative asset managers. In 2021, Bridgewater won the best alternative investments management firm award from the Institutional Asset Manager.

Founded in 1975, Bridgewater invests on behalf of a broad array of clients, including pension funds, governments, charity foundations and family offices. It invests in diverse assets to generate attractive returns for its investors.

Note: Bridgewater Association was the only asset manager for which we couldn’t get an official source for the AUM figures, so we relied on a news article.

What are assets under management (AUM)?

Who are the largest alternative asset managers in the world?

The world’s largest alternative asset manager by assets under management is Blackstone, followed by Hamilton Lane and  Brookfield.

Conclusion

The AUM metric is important to consider when evaluating asset managers for potential investments. Studying the largest alternative asset managers by AUM can show you the managers that investors most trust with their money.

While the largest alternative investment managers by assets under management may not necessarily be the best, they may be more stable and secure to invest in the long-term. As a result, knowing the largest asset managers can be an important step in choosing the right investment manager.