FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF (SQMX) 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 SQMX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SQMX
SQMX charges 0.85% annually. There are 216 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 | SQMX vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SQMX vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SQMX vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | SQMX vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | SQMX vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SQMX
SQMX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 86. There are 110 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 | SQMX vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | SQMX vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | SQMX vs XBAP |
Top Performing SQMX Alternatives (YTD)
SQMX is at 2.84% YTD. There are 241 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 | SQMX vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.85% | — | Jan 2025 | SQMX vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.22% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | SQMX vs KAPR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.42% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | SQMX vs QB | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.12% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | SQMX vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SQMX
SQMX has 3.39% 1-year volatility. There are 67 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 | SQMX vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.25% | — | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | SQMX vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SQMX
SQMX has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.04%. There are 70 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 | SQMX vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | SQMX vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | SQMX vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | SQMX vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from FT Vest
The 10 most viewed FT Vest ETFs shown here include RDVI, BGLD, BUFQ and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Cboe Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Inco... | Derivative Income | 82 | 15.93% | 3.49B | Oct 2022 | SQMX vs RDVI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome, Gold, Precious Metals | 19 | -4.86% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | SQMX vs BGLD | |
| FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 78 | 8.43% | 1.52B | Jun 2022 | SQMX vs BUFQ | |
| FT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 89 | 5.75% | 1.93B | Jan 2021 | SQMX vs BUFD | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October | Defined Outcome | 82 | 7.41% | 1.16B | Oct 2020 | SQMX vs FOCT | |
| FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September | Options Trading | 77 | 7.54% | 1.22B | Sep 2020 | SQMX vs FSEP | |
| FT Vest Dow Jones Internet & Target Income ETF | Technology Equities | 10 | 0.02% | — | Mar 2024 | SQMX vs FDND | |
| FT Vest DJIA Dogs 10 Target Income ETF | Derivative Income | 63 | 10.97% | 77.70M | Apr 2023 | SQMX vs DOGG | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February | Defined Outcome | 85 | 8.29% | 1.38B | Feb 2020 | SQMX vs FFEB | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December | Defined Outcome | 87 | 5.65% | 429.01M | Dec 2020 | SQMX vs DDEC |
Often Compared With SQMX
Investors most often compare SQMX with SMAX, PMJA, DNOV. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SQMX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SQMX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SQMX with funds that move differently
FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SQMX.
Explore SQMX Diversifiers