First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) Alternatives
First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) belongs to the Large Cap Blend Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FEX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to FEX
FEX charges 0.59% annually. Among ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among FEX alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF | 0.03% | Jun 1, 2016 | FEX vs USPX | |
| Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF | 0.03% | Nov 3, 2009 | FEX vs SCHX | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | Oct 4, 2000 | FEX vs SPTM | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | Jun 27, 2016 | FEX vs VTI | |
| Engine No. 1 Transform 500 ETF | 0.05% | Jun 22, 2021 | FEX vs VOTE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FEX
Among ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF | 91 | Jan 25, 2022 | FEX vs SAMT | |
| THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF | 88 | Sep 12, 2022 | FEX vs THLV | |
| Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF | 87 | Oct 24, 2023 | FEX vs BLCR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 85 | Mar 19, 2021 | FEX vs QMAR | |
| WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF | 83 | Dec 6, 2021 | FEX vs WLTG |
Top Performing FEX Alternatives (YTD)
FEX alternatives from the Large Cap Blend Equities category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity E... | 19.63% | Mar 13, 2023 | FEX vs FTIF | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 15.85% | May 28, 2024 | FEX vs RSSY | |
| iShares Texas Equity ETF | 12.67% | Jun 23, 2025 | FEX vs TEXN | |
| First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF | 12.56% | Mar 12, 2010 | FEX vs FTAG | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 11.28% | Sep 27, 2022 | FEX vs AVIE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FEX
FEX alternatives from the Large Cap Blend Equities category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November | 8.50% | Nov 1, 2019 | FEX vs UNOV | |
| Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF | 8.83% | Dec 22, 2020 | FEX vs PSCX | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 9.38% | Jul 7, 2025 | FEX vs SPXM | |
| Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF | 10.09% | Dec 22, 2020 | FEX vs PSMD | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June | 10.23% | Jun 19, 2020 | FEX vs DJUN |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FEX
FEX alternatives from the Large Cap Blend Equities category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - November | -5.78% | Nov 1, 2019 | FEX vs UNOV | |
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | -5.85% | May 10, 2023 | FEX vs BDGS | |
| Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF | -6.15% | Dec 22, 2020 | FEX vs PSCX | |
| THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF | -6.66% | Sep 12, 2022 | FEX vs THLV | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June | -7.33% | Jun 19, 2020 | FEX vs DJUN |
Other ETFs from First Trust
Most popular First Trust ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
Often Compared With FEX
What investors most often compare with FEX, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FEX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FEX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.