First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) Alternatives
First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) belongs to the Municipal Bonds category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MFLX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to MFLX
MFLX charges 0.88% annually. Among ETFs in the Municipal Bonds category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among MFLX alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab Municipal Bond ETF | 0.03% | Oct 11, 2022 | MFLX vs SCMB | |
| Fidelity Systematic Municipal Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | Jul 11, 2019 | MFLX vs FMUN | |
| Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.05% | Aug 21, 2015 | MFLX vs VTEB | |
| Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares | 0.07% | Mar 8, 2023 | MFLX vs VTES | |
| Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF | 0.07% | Dec 13, 2023 | MFLX vs CA |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MFLX
Among ETFs in the Municipal Bonds category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | 98 | Jul 23, 2024 | MFLX vs GUMI | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 97 | Nov 1, 2018 | MFLX vs FUMB | |
| iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 97 | Mar 3, 2015 | MFLX vs MEAR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | 95 | Jun 24, 2024 | MFLX vs PUSH | |
| iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | 95 | Oct 4, 2007 | MFLX vs CALI |
Top Performing MFLX Alternatives (YTD)
MFLX alternatives from the Municipal Bonds category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF | 1.20% | Sep 30, 2019 | MFLX vs OVM | |
| Xtrackers Municipal Infrastructure Revenue Bond ET... | 1.00% | Jun 4, 2013 | MFLX vs RVNU | |
| X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF | 0.90% | May 18, 2023 | MFLX vs ZTAX | |
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | 0.72% | Jul 23, 2024 | MFLX vs GUMI | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 0.64% | Nov 1, 2018 | MFLX vs FUMB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MFLX
MFLX alternatives from the Municipal Bonds category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF | 0.00% | Mar 20, 2018 | MFLX vs IBMM | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 1.03% | Nov 1, 2018 | MFLX vs FUMB | |
| iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | 1.09% | Oct 4, 2007 | MFLX vs CALI | |
| abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Active ETF | 1.12% | Oct 20, 2025 | MFLX vs AMUN | |
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | 1.15% | Jul 23, 2024 | MFLX vs GUMI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MFLX
MFLX alternatives from the Municipal Bonds category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | -0.48% | Jul 23, 2024 | MFLX vs GUMI | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | -0.60% | Nov 1, 2018 | MFLX vs FUMB | |
| iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | -0.78% | Oct 4, 2007 | MFLX vs CALI | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | -0.85% | Jun 24, 2024 | MFLX vs PUSH | |
| iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | -0.86% | Mar 3, 2015 | MFLX vs MEAR |
Other ETFs from First Trust
Most popular First Trust ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
Often Compared With MFLX
What investors most often compare with MFLX, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackRock High Yield Muni Income Bond ETF | High Yield Muni | 18 | -0.21% | Mar 16, 2021 | MFLX vs HYMU | |
| The Progressive Corporation | 9 | -7.42% | — | MFLX vs PGR | ||
| iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 92 | 0.23% | Nov 5, 2008 | MFLX vs SUB |
Compare MFLX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MFLX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.