AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) 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 BUFI. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFI
BUFI charges 0.69% annually. There are 41 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFI vs JULB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFI vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFI vs JANB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFI vs OCTB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFI vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFI
BUFI has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 54. There are 225 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 | BUFI vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFI vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | BUFI vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFI Alternatives (YTD)
BUFI is at 5.31% YTD. There are 155 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 | BUFI vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.34% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFI vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | BUFI vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | BUFI vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.15% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | BUFI vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFI
BUFI has 8.74% 1-year volatility. There are 235 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 | BUFI vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFI vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFI
BUFI has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.69%. There are 186 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 | BUFI vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFI vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFI vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | BUFI vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from AllianceBernstein
The 10 most viewed AllianceBernstein ETFs shown here include FWD, LOWV, YEAR and span 9 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB Disruptors ETF | Global Equities | 72 | 27.74% | 3.13B | Mar 2023 | BUFI vs FWD | |
| AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 28 | 3.83% | 199.62M | Mar 2023 | BUFI vs LOWV | |
| AB Ultra Short Income ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 98 | 1.42% | 1.49B | Sep 2022 | BUFI vs YEAR | |
| AB US High Dividend ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 69 | 11.63% | 211.19M | Mar 2023 | BUFI vs HIDV | |
| AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF | Municipal Bonds | 82 | 1.32% | 1.37B | Sep 2022 | BUFI vs TAFI | |
| AB High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 68 | 2.13% | 327.24M | Jul 2016 | BUFI vs HYFI | |
| AB Corporate Bond ETF | Corporate Bonds | 28 | -0.49% | 26.19M | Dec 2023 | BUFI vs EYEG | |
| AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 51 | 8.82% | 1.30B | Sep 2023 | BUFI vs LRGC | |
| AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 31 | 6.53% | 1.80B | Jul 2024 | BUFI vs ILOW | |
| AB Conservative Buffer ETF | Options Trading | 66 | 3.25% | 1.04B | Dec 2023 | BUFI vs BUFC |
Often Compared With BUFI
Investors most often compare BUFI with BIDD, PQAP, FINT. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFI with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFI with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFI with funds that move differently
AB International Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFI.
Explore BUFI Diversifiers