AB Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFM) 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 BUFM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFM
BUFM charges 0.69% annually. There are 42 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFM vs JANB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFM vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFM vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFM vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFM vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFM
BUFM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 67. There are 193 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 | BUFM vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFM vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | BUFM vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFM Alternatives (YTD)
BUFM is at 4.01% YTD. There are 189 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 | BUFM vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.85% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFM vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.22% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | BUFM vs KAPR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.42% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | BUFM vs QB | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.12% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | BUFM vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFM
BUFM has 6.10% 1-year volatility. There are 151 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 | BUFM vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.25% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFM vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFM
BUFM has a 1-year max drawdown of -4.07%. There are 124 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 | BUFM vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFM vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFM vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | BUFM 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 | 62 | 23.84% | 3.13B | Mar 2023 | BUFM vs FWD | |
| AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 30 | 4.54% | 199.62M | Mar 2023 | BUFM vs LOWV | |
| AB Ultra Short Income ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 98 | 1.51% | 1.49B | Sep 2022 | BUFM vs YEAR | |
| AB US High Dividend ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 75 | 13.17% | 211.19M | Mar 2023 | BUFM vs HIDV | |
| AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF | Municipal Bonds | 82 | 1.28% | 1.37B | Sep 2022 | BUFM vs TAFI | |
| AB High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 71 | 2.43% | 327.24M | Jul 2016 | BUFM vs HYFI | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome, Foreign Large Cap Equities | 57 | 5.65% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | BUFM vs BUFI | |
| AB Corporate Bond ETF | Corporate Bonds | 33 | -0.03% | 26.19M | Dec 2023 | BUFM vs EYEG | |
| AB US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 52 | 9.47% | 1.30B | Sep 2023 | BUFM vs LRGC | |
| AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 34 | 7.37% | 1.80B | Jul 2024 | BUFM vs ILOW |
Often Compared With BUFM
Investors most often compare BUFM with BUFC, CXRN, EAPR. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFM with funds that move differently
AB Moderate Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFM.
Explore BUFM Diversifiers