FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFS) 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 BUFS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFS
BUFS charges 1.01% annually. There are 301 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFS vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFS vs JANB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFS vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFS vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFS vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFS
BUFS has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 81. There are 155 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 | BUFS vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFS vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | BUFS vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFS Alternatives (YTD)
BUFS is at 9.46% YTD. There are 22 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 | BUFS vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.34% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFS vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | BUFS vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | BUFS vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.15% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | BUFS vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFS
BUFS has 8.80% 1-year volatility. There are 237 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 | BUFS vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFS vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFS
BUFS has a 1-year max drawdown of -4.68%. There are 152 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 | BUFS vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFS vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFS vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | BUFS 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 BUFS
Investors most often compare BUFS with DBE, IBIC, PQAP. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFS with funds that move differently
FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFS.
Explore BUFS Diversifiers