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 303 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 October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs JULB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | BUFX vs APRB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | BUFX vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to BUFX
BUFX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 92. There are 89 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 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 21.00M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 132.07M | Mar 2021 | BUFX vs XBAP |
Top Performing BUFX Alternatives (YTD)
BUFX is at 5.72% YTD. There are 181 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 | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 15.42% | 2.87M | Jun 2025 | BUFX vs QB | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 15.11% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFX vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 14.23% | 214.27M | Mar 2020 | BUFX vs KAPR | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - Jan... | 14.20% | — | Jan 2025 | BUFX vs UXJA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to BUFX
BUFX has 4.05% 1-year volatility. There are 75 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 | 1.36% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs APXM | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.39% | 21.00M | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs CPSP | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.41% | — | Apr 2025 | BUFX vs PMMY | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.44% | — | Mar 2025 | BUFX vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to BUFX
BUFX has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.87%. There are 86 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 | BUFX vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 21.00M | 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% | 56.60M | May 2024 | BUFX vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 16 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $25B.
Often Compared With BUFX
Investors most often compare BUFX with AFOS, RND, STOX. These 20 comparison targets span 3 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