FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February (DLFE) 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 DLFE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DLFE
DLFE charges 0.85% annually. There are 215 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 | DLFE vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DLFE vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DLFE vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DLFE vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | DLFE vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DLFE
Among 245 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 | DLFE vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | DLFE vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | DLFE vs XBAP |
Top Performing DLFE Alternatives (YTD)
Among 285 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 16.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 16.35% | — | Aug 2025 | DLFE vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.70% | — | Jan 2025 | DLFE vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.15% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | DLFE vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | DLFE vs QMAR | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | — | Mar 2025 | DLFE vs TMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DLFE
DLFE has 7.45% 1-year volatility. There are 204 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.15% | — | Mar 2025 | DLFE vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.41% | — | Mar 2025 | DLFE vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DLFE
Among 245 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | DLFE vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | DLFE vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | DLFE vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | DLFE vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With DLFE
Investors most often compare DLFE with BAPR, PQAP, UXJL. These 6 comparison targets span 2 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 97 | 11.65% | 404.39M | Mar 2019 | DLFE vs BAPR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | Defined Outcome, Nasdaq-100 | 97 | 12.04% | 25.92M | Dec 2024 | DLFE vs PQAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - Jul... | Defined Outcome | — | 11.90% | — | Jul 2025 | DLFE vs UXJL | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr May | Defined Outcome | 96 | 2.36% | — | May 2025 | DLFE vs ZMAY | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - Jan... | Defined Outcome | 60 | 11.62% | — | Jan 2025 | DLFE vs UXJA | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March | Defined Outcome | 89 | 11.85% | — | Feb 2025 | DLFE vs KMAR |
Compare DLFE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DLFE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DLFE with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DLFE.
Explore DLFE Diversifiers