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 136 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% | 121.66B | Dec 1998 | ILDR vs XLK | |
| Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 0.08% | 17.89B | Oct 2013 | ILDR vs FTEC | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 0.09% | 144.20B | Mar 2004 | ILDR vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 0.10% | 6.30B | Sep 2004 | ILDR vs VOX | |
| Vaneck Technology Trusector ETF | 0.13% | 172.62M | Aug 2025 | ILDR vs TRUT |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ILDR
ILDR has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 63. There are 70 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 97.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 97 | 2.52B | Sep 2016 | ILDR vs FTXL | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 97 | 89.58M | Jul 2023 | ILDR vs CHPS | |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 97 | 574.75M | Dec 2024 | ILDR vs AIS | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 97 | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | ILDR vs SOXX | |
| Defiance Connective Technologies ETF | 97 | 1.09B | Mar 2019 | ILDR vs UFOX |
Top Performing ILDR Alternatives (YTD)
ILDR is at 22.89% YTD. There are 103 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 208.14%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STMicroelectronics NV ADRhedged | 208.14% | 817.60K | Mar 2025 | ILDR vs STHH | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductors Top 5 Bull 2X Shares | 144.17% | 10.05M | Sep 2025 | ILDR vs TSXU | |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 117.05% | 574.75M | Dec 2024 | ILDR vs AIS | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 111.04% | 2.52B | Sep 2016 | ILDR vs FTXL | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 104.95% | 2.64B | Jun 2005 | ILDR vs PSI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ILDR
ILDR has 21.08% 1-year volatility. There are 38 ETFs in the Technology Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.72%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | 12.72% | 129.97M | Nov 2023 | ILDR vs CRTC | |
| Clockwise Core Equity & Innovation ETF | 13.28% | 19.49M | Jan 2022 | ILDR vs TIME | |
| Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 15.44% | 6.30B | Sep 2004 | ILDR vs VOX | |
| iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | 15.98% | 4.07B | Mar 2015 | ILDR vs XT | |
| Goldman Sachs ETF Trust Goldman Sachs Innovate Equ... | 16.01% | 211.17M | Nov 2020 | ILDR vs GINN |
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 -8.45%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estat... | -8.45% | 450.77M | Jul 2001 | ILDR vs IDGT | |
| Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | -9.05% | 129.97M | Nov 2023 | ILDR vs CRTC | |
| ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Aristocrats ETF | -9.55% | 289.74M | Nov 2019 | ILDR vs TDV | |
| Invesco Next Gen Connectivity ETF | -9.99% | 163.96M | Jun 2005 | ILDR vs KNCT | |
| First Trust IndXX NextG ETF | -10.28% | 589.27M | Feb 2011 | ILDR vs NXTG |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, NFTY and span 11 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 9 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