FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) belongs to the Nasdaq-100 category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with BUFQ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFQ
BUFQ charges 1.10% annually. There are 50 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 0.15% | 96.91B | Oct 2020 | BUFQ vs QQQM | |
| Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.18% | 493.99B | Mar 1999 | BUFQ vs QQQ | |
| iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF | 0.20% | 18.65M | Oct 2024 | BUFQ vs QNXT | |
| Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF | 0.20% | 212.00M | Oct 2021 | BUFQ vs QQMG | |
| Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF | 0.25% | 29.55M | Mar 2026 | BUFQ vs QEW |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFQ
BUFQ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 84. There are 8 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 98.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 98 | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | BUFQ vs PQAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - April | 98 | 224.10M | Mar 2020 | BUFQ vs NAPR | |
| FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April | 97 | — | Apr 2024 | BUFQ vs QCAP | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 96 | 557.94M | Mar 2021 | BUFQ vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF | 90 | 45.43M | May 2021 | BUFQ vs QQQA |
Top Performing BUFQ Alternatives (YTD)
BUFQ is at 9.53% YTD. There are 31 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 65.37%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF | 65.37% | 45.43M | May 2021 | BUFQ vs QQQA | |
| First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fun... | 44.73% | 3.66B | Apr 2006 | BUFQ vs QTEC | |
| Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders E... | 32.43% | 14.23M | Aug 2024 | BUFQ vs QQQG | |
| iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 22.89% | 15.10M | Dec 2025 | BUFQ vs BALQ | |
| Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF | 21.86% | 212.00M | Oct 2021 | BUFQ vs QQMG |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFQ
BUFQ has 8.31% 1-year volatility. There are 12 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 2.69%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April | 2.69% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFQ vs QCAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - April | 3.89% | 224.10M | Mar 2020 | BUFQ vs NAPR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 4.45% | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | BUFQ vs PQAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly | 5.25% | 157.14M | Jun 2024 | BUFQ vs QBUF | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 5.75% | 2.34M | Jun 2025 | BUFQ vs QB |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFQ
BUFQ has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.39%. There are 11 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.82%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April | -0.82% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFQ vs QCAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - April | -1.24% | 224.10M | Mar 2020 | BUFQ vs NAPR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | -1.39% | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | BUFQ vs PQAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly | -2.31% | 157.14M | Jun 2024 | BUFQ vs QBUF | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | -3.21% | 557.94M | Mar 2021 | BUFQ vs QMAR |
Other ETFs from FT Vest
The 10 most viewed FT Vest ETFs shown here include BGLD, RDVI, FOCT and span 5 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome, Gold | 28 | 0.32% | 51.28M | Jan 2021 | BUFQ vs BGLD | |
| FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Inco... | Derivative Income | 58 | 9.43% | 3.16B | Oct 2022 | BUFQ vs RDVI | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October | Defined Outcome | 79 | 6.65% | 1.21B | Oct 2020 | BUFQ vs FOCT | |
| FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 87 | 5.08% | 1.88B | Jan 2021 | BUFQ vs BUFD | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September | Options Trading | 74 | 6.56% | 1.29B | Sep 2020 | BUFQ vs FSEP | |
| FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF | Technology Equities | 14 | 2.42% | — | Mar 2024 | BUFQ vs FDND | |
| FT Vest DJIA Dogs 10 Target Income ETF | Derivative Income | 40 | 5.09% | 72.34M | Apr 2023 | BUFQ vs DOGG | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December | Defined Outcome | 86 | 4.97% | 426.26M | Dec 2020 | BUFQ vs DDEC | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February | Defined Outcome | 82 | 7.65% | 1.35B | Feb 2020 | BUFQ vs FFEB | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - Mar... | Options Trading | 97 | 7.89% | 395.64M | Mar 2023 | BUFQ vs GMAR |
Often Compared With BUFQ
Investors most often compare BUFQ with BUFR, NDX1.DE, ^GSPC. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFQ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFQ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFQ with funds that move differently
FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFQ.
Explore BUFQ Diversifiers