PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - October (PBOC) 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 PBOC. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBOC
PBOC 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 April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBOC vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBOC vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBOC vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBOC vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PBOC vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBOC
PBOC has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 84. There are 131 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 | PBOC vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PBOC vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | PBOC vs XBAP |
Top Performing PBOC Alternatives (YTD)
PBOC is at 5.59% YTD. There are 160 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 | PBOC vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.70% | — | Jan 2025 | PBOC vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.15% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | PBOC vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | PBOC vs QMAR | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | — | Mar 2025 | PBOC vs TMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBOC
PBOC has 5.08% 1-year volatility. There are 102 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 | PBOC vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.41% | — | Mar 2025 | PBOC vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBOC
PBOC has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.60%. There are 104 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 | PBOC vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PBOC vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PBOC vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | PBOC vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from PGIM
The 10 most viewed PGIM ETFs shown here include PAAA, PULS, PFRL and span 10 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 | PBOC vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.11% | 17.62B | Apr 2018 | PBOC vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 93 | 2.77% | 118.91M | May 2022 | PBOC vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 91 | 1.45% | — | Jul 2023 | PBOC vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 88 | 7.12% | 213.82M | Jun 2024 | PBOC vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 92 | 5.34% | 194.07M | Jun 2024 | PBOC vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 92 | 1.62% | 102.00M | Jun 2024 | PBOC vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 82 | 2.53% | 167.88M | Dec 2023 | PBOC vs PSH | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 34 | 0.27% | 1.07B | Dec 2021 | PBOC vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 22 | 5.68% | 148.08M | Dec 2022 | PBOC vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PBOC
Investors most often compare PBOC with DBO, IBIC, LJUL. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PBOC with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBOC with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PBOC with funds that move differently
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - October alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PBOC.
Explore PBOC Diversifiers