FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF (BUFH) 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 BUFH. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFH
BUFH charges 0.95% annually. There are 291 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 | BUFH vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFH vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFH vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFH vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFH vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFH
BUFH has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 93. There are 70 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 | BUFH vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFH vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | BUFH vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFH Alternatives (YTD)
BUFH is at 2.88% YTD. There are 237 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 | BUFH vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.68% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFH vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.02% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | BUFH vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.77% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | BUFH vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.67% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | BUFH vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFH
BUFH has 2.37% 1-year volatility. There are 43 ETFs 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 | BUFH vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFH vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFH
BUFH has a 1-year max drawdown of -1.53%. There are 48 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 | BUFH vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFH vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFH vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | BUFH 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 BUFH
Investors most often compare BUFH with PVEX, AFOS, WZRD. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFH with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFH with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFH with funds that move differently
FT Vest Laddered Max Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFH.
Explore BUFH Diversifiers