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 a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FEX
FEX charges 0.57% annually. There are 165 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X U.S. 500 ETF | 0.02% | 4.56M | Sep 2025 | FEX vs GXLC | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF | 0.02% | 8.68B | Mar 2019 | FEX vs BBUS | |
| SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | 13.65B | Oct 2000 | FEX vs SPTM | |
| Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF | 0.03% | 2.01B | Jun 2016 | FEX vs USPX | |
| Schwab 1000 Index ETF | 0.03% | 5.77B | Oct 2017 | FEX vs SCHK |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FEX
FEX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 76. There are 23 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 95 | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | FEX vs AFOS | |
| Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF | 94 | 894.46M | Sep 2018 | FEX vs IUS | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 93 | — | May 2024 | FEX vs RSSY | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 92 | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | FEX vs AVIE | |
| PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 89 | 160.47M | Dec 2019 | FEX vs RAFE |
Top Performing FEX Alternatives (YTD)
FEX is at 15.50% YTD. There are 32 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 40.20%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztlan North America Nearshoring Stock Selection E... | 40.20% | 33.11M | Nov 2023 | FEX vs NRSH | |
| Mohr Company Nav ETF | 35.88% | — | Sep 2024 | FEX vs CNAV | |
| Return Stacked US Stocks & Futures Yield ETF | 31.93% | — | May 2024 | FEX vs RSSY | |
| ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 29.03% | 293.98M | Jun 2025 | FEX vs AFOS | |
| iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 25.95% | 27.36B | Apr 2013 | FEX vs MTUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FEX
FEX has 13.36% 1-year volatility. There are 146 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.37%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | 6.37% | 42.09M | May 2023 | FEX vs BDGS | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 7.68% | — | Jul 2025 | FEX vs SPXM | |
| iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 8.48% | 23.36B | Oct 2011 | FEX vs USMV | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | 8.87% | 402.23M | May 2020 | FEX vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | 9.26% | 168.13M | May 2022 | FEX vs SELV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FEX
FEX has a 1-year max drawdown of -6.23%. There are 7 ETFs in the Large Cap Blend Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Capital Tactical ETF | -4.03% | 42.09M | May 2023 | FEX vs BDGS | |
| Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | -4.97% | 10.66M | Sep 2022 | FEX vs AVIE | |
| Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | -5.08% | — | Jul 2025 | FEX vs SPXM | |
| 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF | -5.59% | 402.23M | May 2020 | FEX vs SIXA | |
| SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | -5.92% | 168.13M | May 2022 | FEX vs SELV |
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 FEX
Investors most often compare FEX with FCNTX, CAIBX, DODGX. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, 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.
Pair FEX with funds that move differently
First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FEX.
Explore FEX Diversifiers