PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) 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 PBFR. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBFR
PBFR charges 0.50% annually. There are 5 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBFR vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBFR vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBFR vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBFR vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PBFR vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBFR
PBFR has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 92. There are 76 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 | PBFR vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PBFR vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | PBFR vs XBAP |
Top Performing PBFR Alternatives (YTD)
PBFR is at 5.20% YTD. There are 168 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 | PBFR vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.68% | — | Jan 2025 | PBFR vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.02% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | PBFR vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.77% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | PBFR vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.67% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | PBFR vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBFR
PBFR has 4.29% 1-year volatility. There are 81 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 | PBFR vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | PBFR vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBFR
PBFR has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.82%. There are 85 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 | PBFR vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PBFR vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PBFR vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | PBFR vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from PGIM
The 10 most viewed PGIM ETFs shown here include PAAA, PULS, PFRL and span 11 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $18B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.51% | 10.35B | Jul 2023 | PBFR vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.15% | 17.62B | Apr 2018 | PBFR vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 93 | 2.75% | 118.91M | May 2022 | PBFR vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 92 | 1.46% | — | Jul 2023 | PBFR vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 87 | 7.06% | 213.82M | Jun 2024 | PBFR vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 93 | 1.66% | 102.00M | Jun 2024 | PBFR vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 80 | 2.40% | 167.88M | Dec 2023 | PBFR vs PSH | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 37 | 0.17% | 1.07B | Dec 2021 | PBFR vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 22 | 5.37% | 148.08M | Dec 2022 | PBFR vs PJFG | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | Defined Outcome, Nasdaq-100 | 97 | 11.88% | 25.92M | Dec 2024 | PBFR vs PQAP |
Often Compared With PBFR
Investors most often compare PBFR with XXXX, CPRJ, SPY. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PBFR with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBFR with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PBFR with funds that move differently
PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PBFR.
Explore PBFR Diversifiers