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 286 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 | BUFX vs JANB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFX vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFX
Among 220 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 | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs APXM | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP |
Top Performing BUFX Alternatives (YTD)
BUFX is at 4.10% YTD. There are 172 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 18.85%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 18.85% | — | Aug 2025 | BUFX vs NVDO | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 14.45% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs TMAR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 13.06% | 557.94M | Mar 2021 | BUFX vs QMAR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 12.09% | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | BUFX vs PQAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - Jul... | 11.78% | — | Jul 2025 | BUFX vs UXJL |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFX
BUFX has 3.98% 1-year volatility. There are 79 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.01%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.01% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.12% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs PMMY | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.15% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.39% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.42% | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFX
Among 220 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.27%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.27% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.34% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.34% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | -0.36% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 11 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With BUFX
Investors most often compare BUFX with AFOS, RND, PVEX. 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