PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September (PBSE) 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 PBSE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBSE
PBSE 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 | PBSE vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBSE vs JULB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBSE vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBSE vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PBSE vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBSE
PBSE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 90. There are 85 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 | PBSE vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PBSE vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | PBSE vs XBAP |
Top Performing PBSE Alternatives (YTD)
PBSE is at 5.24% YTD. There are 163 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 | PBSE vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.70% | — | Jan 2025 | PBSE vs KFEB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | — | Mar 2025 | PBSE vs TMAR | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | PBSE vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | PBSE vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBSE
PBSE has 4.44% 1-year volatility. There are 85 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.16%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.16% | — | Mar 2025 | PBSE vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | PBSE vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBSE
PBSE has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.15%. There are 93 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 | PBSE vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PBSE vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PBSE vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | PBSE 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 | 2.53% | 10.35B | Jul 2023 | PBSE vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.13% | 17.62B | Apr 2018 | PBSE vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 93 | 2.81% | 118.91M | May 2022 | PBSE vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 91 | 1.30% | — | Jul 2023 | PBSE vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 87 | 6.76% | 213.82M | Jun 2024 | PBSE vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 92 | 5.10% | 194.07M | Jun 2024 | PBSE vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 92 | 1.60% | 102.00M | Jun 2024 | PBSE vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 79 | 2.28% | 167.88M | Dec 2023 | PBSE vs PSH | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 35 | -0.07% | 1.07B | Dec 2021 | PBSE vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 21 | 4.27% | 148.08M | Dec 2022 | PBSE vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PBSE
Investors most often compare PBSE with PMJA, SMAX, PMJL. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PBSE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBSE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PBSE with funds that move differently
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PBSE.
Explore PBSE Diversifiers