Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) 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 BUFF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFF
BUFF charges 0.89% annually. There are 266 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 | BUFF vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFF vs JULB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFF vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFF vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFF vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFF
BUFF has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 89. There are 92 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 | BUFF vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFF vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | BUFF vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFF Alternatives (YTD)
BUFF is at 5.94% YTD. There are 130 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 | BUFF vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.34% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFF vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | BUFF vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | BUFF vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.15% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | BUFF vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFF
BUFF has 5.20% 1-year volatility. There are 106 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.16%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.16% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFF vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFF vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFF
BUFF has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.58%. There are 103 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 | BUFF vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFF vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFF vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | BUFF vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from Innovator
The 10 most viewed Innovator ETFs shown here include BALT, FFTY, SFLR and span 6 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 | 95 | 2.57% | 2.68B | Jun 2021 | BUFF vs BALT | |
| Innovator IBD 50 ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 26 | 12.47% | 89.40M | Apr 2015 | BUFF vs FFTY | |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | Options Trading | 56 | 5.15% | 2.12B | Nov 2022 | BUFF vs SFLR | |
| Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 20.34% | 221.95M | Jul 2018 | BUFF vs LOUP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January | Defined Outcome | 83 | 5.59% | 1.47B | Jan 2019 | BUFF vs PJAN | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF | Leveraged Equities | 98 | 11.77% | 22.82M | Apr 2021 | BUFF vs XTAP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 97 | 11.27% | 404.39M | Mar 2019 | BUFF vs BAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 87 | 5.32% | 1.12B | Aug 2018 | BUFF vs PJUL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 55 | 4.38% | 543.68M | Jan 2024 | BUFF vs QFLR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October | Defined Outcome | 79 | 6.01% | 967.98M | Sep 2018 | BUFF vs POCT |
Often Compared With BUFF
Investors most often compare BUFF with BUFR, BUFB, SPY. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFF with funds that move differently
Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFF.
Explore BUFF Diversifiers