FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January (QCJA) 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 QCJA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to QCJA
QCJA charges 0.90% annually. There are 274 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 | QCJA vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | QCJA vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | QCJA vs JANB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | QCJA vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | QCJA vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to QCJA
QCJA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 79. There are 170 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 | QCJA vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 99 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | QCJA vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | QCJA vs XBAP |
Top Performing QCJA Alternatives (YTD)
QCJA is at 5.98% YTD. There are 138 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 | QCJA vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.92% | — | Jan 2025 | QCJA vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.22% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | QCJA vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.73% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | QCJA vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.55% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | QCJA vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to QCJA
QCJA has 6.02% 1-year volatility. There are 148 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 | QCJA vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.25% | — | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.35% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | QCJA vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to QCJA
QCJA has a 1-year max drawdown of -4.98%. There are 165 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 | QCJA vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | QCJA vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | QCJA vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | QCJA vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With QCJA
Investors most often compare QCJA with PMAU, DCMT, PMOC. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare QCJA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare QCJA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair QCJA with funds that move differently
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to QCJA.
Explore QCJA Diversifiers