First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FDT. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FDT
FDT charges 0.80% annually. There are 176 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 0.03% | 317.30B | Jul 2007 | FDT vs VEA | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.28B | Apr 2020 | FDT vs BKIE | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.01B | Apr 2007 | FDT vs SPDW | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.40B | Mar 2007 | FDT vs VEU | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 30.90B | Mar 2017 | FDT vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FDT
FDT has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 64. There are 41 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 91 | 471.00M | Oct 2024 | FDT vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 89 | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | FDT vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 88 | 185.32M | Jun 2025 | FDT vs IFLO | |
| JPMorgan International Value ETF | 87 | 3.23B | Sep 2023 | FDT vs JIVE | |
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 86 | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | FDT vs CIL |
Top Performing FDT Alternatives (YTD)
FDT is at 14.80% YTD. There are 25 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 39.37%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 39.37% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | FDT vs IPOS | |
| KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index E... | 32.55% | 130.54M | Apr 2019 | FDT vs KEMX | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 29.79% | 184.51M | Sep 2024 | FDT vs PATN | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 24.78% | 7.75M | Jun 2025 | FDT vs EPIN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 23.96% | 919.81M | Jun 2007 | FDT vs IDHQ |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FDT
FDT has 20.52% 1-year volatility. There are 169 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 7.43% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | FDT vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 8.71% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | FDT vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 159.94M | Aug 2013 | FDT vs FID | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.70% | 5.14B | Oct 2011 | FDT vs EFAV | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 10.94% | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | FDT vs EFAS |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FDT
FDT has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.41%. There are 148 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | -4.60% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | FDT vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | FDT vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | FDT vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 185.32M | Jun 2025 | FDT vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 523.46M | Jun 2013 | FDT vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With FDT
Investors most often compare FDT with FIDZX, QQQ, SCHF. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FDT with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FDT with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FDT with funds that move differently
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FDT.
Explore FDT Diversifiers