FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April (APXM) belongs to the Defined Outcome category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with APXM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to APXM
APXM charges 0.85% annually. There are 216 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | APXM vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | APXM vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | APXM vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | APXM vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | APXM vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to APXM
APXM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 98. There are 8 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 99.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | APXM vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | APXM vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | APXM vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | APXM vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | APXM vs XBAP |
Top Performing APXM Alternatives (YTD)
APXM is at 2.43% YTD. There are 253 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 16.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 16.35% | — | Aug 2025 | APXM vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.85% | — | Jan 2025 | APXM vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.22% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | APXM vs KAPR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.42% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | APXM vs QB | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.12% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | APXM vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to APXM
APXM has 1.25% 1-year volatility. There is 1 ETF in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.15% | — | Mar 2025 | APXM vs PMAP | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | APXM vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | APXM vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | APXM vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 1.47% | — | Apr 2025 | APXM vs ZAPR |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to APXM
APXM has a 1-year max drawdown of -0.60%. There are 6 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | APXM vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | APXM vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | APXM vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | APXM vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | APXM vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With APXM
Investors most often compare APXM with PMJA, MAYM, CPSU. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare APXM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare APXM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair APXM with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to APXM.
Explore APXM Diversifiers