FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) 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 SEPM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SEPM
SEPM charges 0.85% annually. There are 215 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 | SEPM vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SEPM vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SEPM vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SEPM vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | SEPM vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SEPM
SEPM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 92. There are 79 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 | SEPM vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | SEPM vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | SEPM vs XBAP |
Top Performing SEPM Alternatives (YTD)
SEPM is at 3.61% YTD. There are 198 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 | SEPM vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.70% | — | Jan 2025 | SEPM vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.15% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | SEPM vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | SEPM vs QMAR | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | — | Mar 2025 | SEPM vs TMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SEPM
SEPM has 2.53% 1-year volatility. There are 51 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 | SEPM vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.41% | — | Mar 2025 | SEPM vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SEPM
SEPM has a 1-year max drawdown of -1.82%. There are 65 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 | SEPM vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | SEPM vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | SEPM vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | SEPM 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 SEPM
Investors most often compare SEPM with DBE, COMT, DMAX. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SEPM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SEPM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SEPM with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - September alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SEPM.
Explore SEPM Diversifiers