FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly Dynamic Buffer ETF (FHDG) 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 FHDG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FHDG
FHDG charges 0.85% annually. There are 217 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FHDG vs JULB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FHDG vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FHDG vs OCTB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FHDG vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | FHDG vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FHDG
FHDG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 90. 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 | FHDG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 21.00M | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | FHDG vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs ZAPR | |
| Calamos Russell 2000 Structured Alt Protection ETF... | 98 | 13.20M | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs CPRA |
Top Performing FHDG Alternatives (YTD)
FHDG is at 7.32% YTD. There are 77 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 | FHDG vs NVDO | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 13.84% | 2.87M | Jun 2025 | FHDG vs QB | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.73% | — | Jan 2025 | FHDG vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.09% | 214.27M | Mar 2020 | FHDG vs KAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | 11.91% | 403.09M | Mar 2019 | FHDG vs BAPR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FHDG
FHDG has 5.94% 1-year volatility. There are 133 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 | FHDG vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.33% | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs APXM | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.40% | 21.00M | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs CPSP | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.40% | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs PMMY | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.44% | — | Mar 2025 | FHDG vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FHDG
FHDG has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.96%. There are 113 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 | FHDG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 21.00M | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | FHDG vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | FHDG vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 16 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With FHDG
Investors most often compare FHDG with PMJL, EAPR, QMAR. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FHDG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FHDG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FHDG with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly Dynamic Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FHDG.
Explore FHDG Diversifiers