Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF (BUFB) 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 BUFB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFB
BUFB charges 0.89% annually. There are 256 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 | BUFB vs OCTB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFB vs JANB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFB vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFB vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFB vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFB
BUFB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 80. There are 135 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 | BUFB vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFB vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | BUFB vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFB Alternatives (YTD)
BUFB is at 6.29% YTD. There are 64 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 | BUFB vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.02% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFB vs KFEB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFB vs TMAR | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.34% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | BUFB vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 11.40% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | BUFB vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFB
BUFB has 7.69% 1-year volatility. There are 198 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.18% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFB vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.22% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.43% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFB vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFB
BUFB has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.12%. There are 152 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 | BUFB vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFB vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFB vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | BUFB vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from Innovator
The 10 most viewed Innovator ETFs shown here include BALT, FFTY, BUFF and span 5 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF | Defined Outcome | 94 | 2.21% | 2.53B | Jun 2021 | BUFB vs BALT | |
| Innovator IBD 50 ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 30 | 20.94% | 89.40M | Apr 2015 | BUFB vs FFTY | |
| Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 85 | 4.91% | 869.51M | Oct 2016 | BUFB vs BUFF | |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | Options Trading | 49 | 3.43% | 2.04B | Nov 2022 | BUFB vs SFLR | |
| Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF | Technology Equities | 60 | 21.99% | 214.23M | Jul 2018 | BUFB vs LOUP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January | Defined Outcome | 77 | 4.57% | 1.48B | Jan 2019 | BUFB vs PJAN | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 96 | 10.04% | 404.13M | Mar 2019 | BUFB vs BAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 90 | 4.80% | 997.06M | Aug 2018 | BUFB vs PJUL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 54 | 3.27% | 524.53M | Jan 2024 | BUFB vs QFLR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October | Defined Outcome | 74 | 4.83% | 969.70M | Sep 2018 | BUFB vs POCT |
Often Compared With BUFB
Investors most often compare BUFB with BUFD, SPY, PSFF. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFB with funds that move differently
Innovator Laddered Allocation Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFB.
Explore BUFB Diversifiers