FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX) 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 BUFX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to BUFX
BUFX charges 0.96% annually. There are 288 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 | BUFX vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs JULB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs OCTB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFX vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFX
Among 221 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 99.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | BUFX vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFX Alternatives (YTD)
BUFX is at 3.84% YTD. There are 170 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 | BUFX vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.02% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFX vs KFEB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs TMAR | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.34% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | BUFX vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 11.40% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | BUFX vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFX
BUFX has 4.05% 1-year volatility. There are 77 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.18% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.22% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.43% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFX
Among 221 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | BUFX vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With BUFX
Investors most often compare BUFX with AFOS, RND, BLUX. These 20 comparison targets span 2 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare BUFX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare BUFX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair BUFX with funds that move differently
FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to BUFX.
Explore BUFX Diversifiers