Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August (UAUG) 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 UAUG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to UAUG
UAUG charges 0.79% annually. There are 89 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 | UAUG vs OCTB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | UAUG vs JANB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | UAUG vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | UAUG vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | UAUG vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to UAUG
UAUG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 87. There are 92 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 | UAUG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | UAUG vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | UAUG vs XBAP |
Top Performing UAUG Alternatives (YTD)
UAUG is at 4.86% YTD. There are 133 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 | UAUG vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.02% | — | Jan 2025 | UAUG vs KFEB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.46% | — | Mar 2025 | UAUG vs TMAR | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.34% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | UAUG vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 11.40% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | UAUG vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to UAUG
UAUG has 5.33% 1-year volatility. There are 105 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.18% | — | Mar 2025 | UAUG vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.22% | — | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.43% | — | Mar 2025 | UAUG vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to UAUG
UAUG has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.96%. There are 103 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 | UAUG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | UAUG vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | UAUG vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | UAUG vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from Innovator
The 10 most viewed Innovator ETFs shown here include BALT, FFTY, BUFF and span 5 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF | Defined Outcome | 94 | 2.21% | 2.53B | Jun 2021 | UAUG vs BALT | |
| Innovator IBD 50 ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 30 | 20.94% | 89.40M | Apr 2015 | UAUG vs FFTY | |
| Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 85 | 4.91% | 869.51M | Oct 2016 | UAUG vs BUFF | |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | Options Trading | 49 | 3.43% | 2.04B | Nov 2022 | UAUG vs SFLR | |
| Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF | Technology Equities | 60 | 21.99% | 214.23M | Jul 2018 | UAUG vs LOUP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January | Defined Outcome | 77 | 4.57% | 1.48B | Jan 2019 | UAUG vs PJAN | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 96 | 10.04% | 404.13M | Mar 2019 | UAUG vs BAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 90 | 4.80% | 997.06M | Aug 2018 | UAUG vs PJUL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 54 | 3.27% | 524.53M | Jan 2024 | UAUG vs QFLR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF October | Defined Outcome | 74 | 4.83% | 969.70M | Sep 2018 | UAUG vs POCT |
Often Compared With UAUG
Investors most often compare UAUG with BAUG, UJUL, QQQ. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare UAUG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare UAUG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair UAUG with funds that move differently
Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - August alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to UAUG.
Explore UAUG Diversifiers