Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December (DDFD) 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 DDFD. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DDFD
DDFD charges 0.79% annually. There are 89 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 | DDFD vs JANB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DDFD vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DDFD vs JULB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DDFD vs OCTB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | DDFD vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DDFD
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 | DDFD vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | DDFD vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs CPSP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs APXM | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs ZAPR |
Top Performing DDFD Alternatives (YTD)
DDFD is at 3.55% YTD. There are 170 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 14.63%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 14.63% | — | Aug 2025 | DDFD vs NVDO | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 11.34% | 557.94M | Mar 2021 | DDFD vs QMAR | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 10.58% | — | Jan 2025 | DDFD vs KFEB | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 10.55% | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | DDFD vs PQAP | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 10.16% | 214.88M | Mar 2020 | DDFD vs KAPR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DDFD
DDFD has 5.11% 1-year volatility. There are 98 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.07% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.17% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFD vs PMAP | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.18% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs PMMY | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFD vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.43% | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs CPSP |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DDFD
Among 220 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.34%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.34% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFD vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFD vs MMAX | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | -0.36% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs CPSP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.38% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFD vs APXM |
Other ETFs from Innovator
The 10 most viewed Innovator ETFs shown here include BALT, FFTY, BUFF and span 5 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF | Defined Outcome | 93 | 1.97% | 2.46B | Jun 2021 | DDFD vs BALT | |
| Innovator IBD 50 ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 26 | 12.41% | 89.40M | Apr 2015 | DDFD vs FFTY | |
| Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 87 | 4.75% | 869.87M | Oct 2016 | DDFD vs BUFF | |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | Options Trading | 58 | 3.59% | 2.00B | Nov 2022 | DDFD vs SFLR | |
| Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF | Technology Equities | 63 | 21.20% | 219.47M | Jul 2018 | DDFD vs LOUP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January | Defined Outcome | 81 | 4.53% | 1.52B | Jan 2019 | DDFD vs PJAN | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 96 | 9.90% | 401.85M | Mar 2019 | DDFD vs BAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 90 | 4.31% | 1.00B | Aug 2018 | DDFD vs PJUL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 62 | 2.95% | 527.81M | Jan 2024 | DDFD vs QFLR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October | Defined Outcome | 76 | 4.58% | 1.02B | Sep 2018 | DDFD vs POCT |
Often Compared With DDFD
Investors most often compare DDFD with BOUT, ZMAY, QB. These 4 comparison targets span 3 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator IBD Breakout Opportunities ETF | Mid Cap Growth Equities | 41 | 24.63% | 15.73M | Sep 2018 | DDFD vs BOUT | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May | Defined Outcome | 97 | 1.80% | — | May 2025 | DDFD vs ZMAY | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome, Nasdaq-100 | — | 6.95% | 2.34M | Jun 2025 | DDFD vs QB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | Defined Outcome | 85 | 10.14% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFD vs TMAR |
Compare DDFD with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DDFD with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DDFD with funds that move differently
Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - December alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DDFD.
Explore DDFD Diversifiers