First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) belongs to the Technology Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with ILDR. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ILDR
ILDR charges 0.75% annually. There are 134 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.08% | 130.33B | Dec 1998 | ILDR vs XLK | |
| Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 0.08% | 21.38B | Oct 2013 | ILDR vs FTEC | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 0.09% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | ILDR vs VGT | |
| Vaneck Technology Trusector ETF | 0.13% | 160.81M | Aug 2025 | ILDR vs TRUT | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 0.15% | 115.48M | Jul 2023 | ILDR vs CHPS |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ILDR
ILDR has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 43. There are 74 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 96 | 115.48M | Jul 2023 | ILDR vs CHPS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 96 | 2.89B | Sep 2016 | ILDR vs FTXL | |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 96 | 574.75M | Dec 2024 | ILDR vs AIS | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 96 | 2.92B | Jun 2005 | ILDR vs PSI | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 95 | 46.67B | Jul 2001 | ILDR vs SOXX |
Top Performing ILDR Alternatives (YTD)
ILDR is at 14.03% YTD. There are 101 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 187.72%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STMicroelectronics NV ADRhedged | 187.72% | 7.89M | Mar 2025 | ILDR vs STHH | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 116.16% | 2.92B | Jun 2005 | ILDR vs PSI | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductors Top 5 Bull 2X Shares | 113.38% | 17.13M | Sep 2025 | ILDR vs TSXU | |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 113.37% | 574.75M | Dec 2024 | ILDR vs AIS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 111.02% | 2.89B | Sep 2016 | ILDR vs FTXL |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ILDR
ILDR has 23.16% 1-year volatility. There are 40 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.55%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | 13.55% | 128.06M | Nov 2023 | ILDR vs CRTC | |
| Clockwise Core Equity & Innovation ETF | 13.98% | 19.49M | Jan 2022 | ILDR vs TIME | |
| Global X AgTech & Food Innovation ETF | 16.19% | 9.03M | Jul 2021 | ILDR vs KROP | |
| Goldman Sachs ETF Trust Goldman Sachs Innovate Equ... | 16.57% | 205.59M | Nov 2020 | ILDR vs GINN | |
| iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | 17.32% | 3.95B | Mar 2015 | ILDR vs XT |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ILDR
ILDR has a 1-year max drawdown of -17.70%. There are 67 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.02%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estat... | -9.02% | 452.26M | Jul 2001 | ILDR vs IDGT | |
| Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | -9.05% | 128.06M | Nov 2023 | ILDR vs CRTC | |
| Gabelli Global Technology Leaders ETF | -9.20% | 7.50M | Jan 2022 | ILDR vs GGTL | |
| ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Aristocrats ETF | -9.55% | 285.24M | Nov 2019 | ILDR vs TDV | |
| iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | -10.45% | 3.95B | Mar 2015 | ILDR vs XT |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With ILDR
Investors most often compare ILDR with QTUM, FMAG, FNGS. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ILDR with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ILDR with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ILDR with funds that move differently
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ILDR.
Explore ILDR Diversifiers