Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) belongs to the Nasdaq-100 category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with QLDY. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to QLDY
QLDY charges 1.04% annually. There are 50 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.10%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETF | 0.10% | — | Jun 2026 | QLDY vs QNDX | |
| Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 0.15% | 100.59B | Oct 2020 | QLDY vs QQQM | |
| Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.18% | 481.14B | Mar 1999 | QLDY vs QQQ | |
| Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF | 0.20% | 206.73M | Oct 2021 | QLDY vs QQMG | |
| iShares Nasdaq-100 ex Top 30 ETF | 0.20% | 28.66M | Oct 2024 | QLDY vs QNXT |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to QLDY
Among 46 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 97.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - April | 97 | 210.48M | Mar 2020 | QLDY vs NAPR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 97 | 25.92M | Dec 2024 | QLDY vs PQAP | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 95 | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | QLDY vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 94 | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | QLDY vs QB | |
| First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF | 91 | 938.31M | Jan 2014 | QLDY vs FTQI |
Top Performing QLDY Alternatives (YTD)
QLDY is at 9.82% YTD. There are 26 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 43.02%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF | 43.02% | 81.18M | May 2021 | QLDY vs QQQA | |
| First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fun... | 32.07% | 4.80B | Apr 2006 | QLDY vs QTEC | |
| Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders E... | 25.34% | 20.29M | Aug 2024 | QLDY vs QQQG | |
| iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 17.54% | 16.35M | Dec 2025 | QLDY vs BALQ | |
| Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares | 16.12% | 1.40B | Mar 2012 | QLDY vs QQQE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to QLDY
QLDY has 21.84% 1-year volatility. There are 46 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 3.84%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April | 3.84% | — | Apr 2024 | QLDY vs QCAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - April | 4.48% | 210.48M | Mar 2020 | QLDY vs NAPR | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | 5.15% | 25.92M | Dec 2024 | QLDY vs PQAP | |
| FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July | 5.54% | — | Jul 2024 | QLDY vs QCJL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly | 5.58% | 165.79M | Jun 2024 | QLDY vs QBUF |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to QLDY
Among 46 ETFs in the Nasdaq-100 category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -1.79%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - April | -1.79% | 210.48M | Mar 2020 | QLDY vs NAPR | |
| FT Vest NASDAQ-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - April | -2.10% | — | Apr 2024 | QLDY vs QCAP | |
| PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April | -2.15% | 25.92M | Dec 2024 | QLDY vs PQAP | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly | -2.31% | 165.79M | Jun 2024 | QLDY vs QBUF | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | -3.21% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | QLDY vs QMAR |
Other ETFs from Defiance
The 10 most viewed Defiance ETFs shown here include QTUM, QQQY, MSTX and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $6B.
Often Compared With QLDY
Investors most often compare QLDY with SPMO, TQQQ, QQQQ.TO. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare QLDY with Any Fund or Stock
Compare QLDY with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair QLDY with funds that move differently
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to QLDY.
Explore QLDY Diversifiers