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 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 | FHDG vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FHDG vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FHDG vs JULB | |
| 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 91. There are 85 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 | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | FHDG vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | FHDG vs XBAP |
Top Performing FHDG Alternatives (YTD)
FHDG is at 7.57% YTD. There are 79 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 | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.70% | — | Jan 2025 | FHDG vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.15% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | FHDG vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | FHDG vs QMAR | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | — | Mar 2025 | FHDG vs TMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FHDG
FHDG has 5.70% 1-year volatility. There are 130 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 | FHDG vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | FHDG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.41% | — | Mar 2025 | FHDG vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FHDG
FHDG has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.96%. There are 116 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% | 19.60M | 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 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With FHDG
Investors most often compare FHDG with PMJL, EAPR, DBE. These 20 comparison targets span 8 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