Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - September (DDFS) 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 DDFS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DDFS
DDFS 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 | DDFS vs JANB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DDFS vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DDFS vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DDFS vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | DDFS vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DDFS
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 | DDFS vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs APXM | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | DDFS vs MMAX | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs CPSP |
Top Performing DDFS Alternatives (YTD)
DDFS is at 3.40% YTD. There are 183 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 | DDFS vs NVDO | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 14.45% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFS vs TMAR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 13.06% | 557.94M | Mar 2021 | DDFS vs QMAR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 12.09% | 7.34M | Dec 2024 | DDFS vs PQAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - Jul... | 11.78% | — | Jul 2025 | DDFS vs UXJL |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DDFS
DDFS has 4.07% 1-year volatility. There are 81 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 | DDFS vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.12% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs PMMY | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.15% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFS vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.39% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFS vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.42% | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs CPSP |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DDFS
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 | DDFS vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.34% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFS vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.34% | — | Mar 2025 | DDFS vs MMAX | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | -0.36% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 18.90M | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs CPSP |
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 | 92 | 1.91% | 2.46B | Jun 2021 | DDFS vs BALT | |
| Innovator IBD 50 ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 30 | 20.11% | 89.40M | Apr 2015 | DDFS vs FFTY | |
| Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 86 | 5.42% | 869.87M | Oct 2016 | DDFS vs BUFF | |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | Options Trading | 64 | 5.55% | 2.00B | Nov 2022 | DDFS vs SFLR | |
| Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF | Technology Equities | 71 | 28.21% | 219.47M | Jul 2018 | DDFS vs LOUP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January | Defined Outcome | 79 | 5.13% | 1.52B | Jan 2019 | DDFS vs PJAN | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 96 | 10.81% | 401.85M | Mar 2019 | DDFS vs BAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 87 | 4.74% | 1.00B | Aug 2018 | DDFS vs PJUL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 74 | 6.90% | 527.81M | Jan 2024 | DDFS vs QFLR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October | Defined Outcome | 75 | 5.33% | 1.02B | Sep 2018 | DDFS vs POCT |
Often Compared With DDFS
Investors most often compare DDFS with EAPR, DMAX, BUFP. These 10 comparison targets span 3 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF - Apri... | Defined Outcome | 94 | 11.39% | 100.91M | Mar 2021 | DDFS vs EAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF | Defined Outcome | 94 | 2.34% | 136.60M | Dec 2024 | DDFS vs DMAX | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 86 | 6.23% | 183.97M | Jun 2024 | DDFS vs BUFP | |
| Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 96 | 1.80% | — | Jun 2024 | DDFS vs LJUL | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 95 | 10.96% | 214.88M | Mar 2020 | DDFS vs KAPR | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May | Defined Outcome | 97 | 2.20% | — | May 2025 | DDFS vs ZMAY | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF | Defined Outcome | 93 | 3.09% | — | Sep 2024 | DDFS vs SMAX | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | Defined Outcome | 74 | 11.46% | — | Jan 2025 | DDFS vs KFEB | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome, Nasdaq-100 | — | 10.47% | 2.34M | Jun 2025 | DDFS vs QB | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | Defined Outcome | 98 | 3.25% | — | Apr 2025 | DDFS vs ZAPR |
Compare DDFS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DDFS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DDFS with funds that move differently
Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - September alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DDFS.
Explore DDFS Diversifiers