FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October (FOCT) 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 FOCT. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FOCT
FOCT 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 July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FOCT vs JULB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FOCT vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FOCT vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | FOCT vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | FOCT vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FOCT
FOCT has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 82. There are 150 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 | FOCT vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | FOCT vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | FOCT vs XBAP |
Top Performing FOCT Alternatives (YTD)
FOCT is at 7.19% YTD. There are 76 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 | FOCT vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.34% | — | Jan 2025 | FOCT vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | FOCT vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | FOCT vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.15% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | FOCT vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FOCT
FOCT has 8.01% 1-year volatility. There are 223 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.16%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.16% | — | Mar 2025 | FOCT vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | FOCT vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FOCT
FOCT has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.74%. There are 191 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 | FOCT vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | FOCT vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | FOCT vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | FOCT vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from FT Vest
The 10 most viewed FT Vest ETFs shown here include BGLD, RDVI, BUFQ and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
Often Compared With FOCT
Investors most often compare FOCT with VYM, FMAR, HDMV. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FOCT with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FOCT with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FOCT with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FOCT.
Explore FOCT Diversifiers