FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF (DHDG) 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 DHDG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DHDG
DHDG charges 0.85% annually. There are 210 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 | DHDG vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DHDG vs JULB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DHDG vs OCTB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DHDG vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | DHDG vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DHDG
DHDG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 86. There are 94 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 | DHDG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | DHDG vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | DHDG vs XBAP |
Top Performing DHDG Alternatives (YTD)
DHDG is at 6.44% YTD. There are 55 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 | DHDG vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.02% | — | Jan 2025 | DHDG vs KFEB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.46% | — | Mar 2025 | DHDG vs TMAR | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.34% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | DHDG vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 11.40% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | DHDG vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DHDG
DHDG has 5.61% 1-year volatility. There are 118 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 | DHDG vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.22% | — | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.43% | — | Mar 2025 | DHDG vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DHDG
DHDG has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.66%. There are 95 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 | DHDG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | DHDG vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | DHDG vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | DHDG 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 DHDG
Investors most often compare DHDG with RBIL, USO, DBE. These 18 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DHDG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DHDG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DHDG with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DHDG.
Explore DHDG Diversifiers