Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) 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 ZAUG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ZAUG
ZAUG charges 0.79% annually. There are 92 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | ZAUG vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | ZAUG vs JANB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | ZAUG vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | ZAUG vs APRB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | ZAUG vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ZAUG
ZAUG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 93. There are 69 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 | ZAUG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | ZAUG vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | ZAUG vs XBAP |
Top Performing ZAUG Alternatives (YTD)
ZAUG is at 3.35% YTD. There are 209 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 | ZAUG vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.68% | — | Jan 2025 | ZAUG vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.02% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | ZAUG vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.77% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | ZAUG vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.67% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | ZAUG vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ZAUG
ZAUG has 2.47% 1-year volatility. There are 50 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 | ZAUG vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | ZAUG vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ZAUG
ZAUG has a 1-year max drawdown of -1.72%. There are 61 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 | ZAUG vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | ZAUG vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | ZAUG vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | ZAUG vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from Innovator
The 10 most viewed Innovator ETFs shown here include BALT, FFTY, BUFF and span 6 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 | 96 | 2.68% | 2.68B | Jun 2021 | ZAUG vs BALT | |
| Innovator IBD 50 ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 25 | 14.13% | 89.40M | Apr 2015 | ZAUG vs FFTY | |
| Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF | Defined Outcome | 89 | 6.22% | 891.58M | Oct 2016 | ZAUG vs BUFF | |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | Options Trading | 57 | 5.58% | 2.12B | Nov 2022 | ZAUG vs SFLR | |
| Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF | Technology Equities | 59 | 21.45% | 221.95M | Jul 2018 | ZAUG vs LOUP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - January | Defined Outcome | 83 | 5.87% | 1.47B | Jan 2019 | ZAUG vs PJAN | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated Plus ETF | Leveraged Equities | 98 | 12.05% | 22.82M | Apr 2021 | ZAUG vs XTAP | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 97 | 11.46% | 404.39M | Mar 2019 | ZAUG vs BAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - July | Defined Outcome | 87 | 5.51% | 1.12B | Aug 2018 | ZAUG vs PJUL | |
| Innovator Nasdaq-100 Managed Floor ETF | Nasdaq-100, Options Trading | 56 | 5.37% | 543.68M | Jan 2024 | ZAUG vs QFLR |
Often Compared With ZAUG
Investors most often compare ZAUG with DMAX, SPY, FMAR. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ZAUG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ZAUG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ZAUG with funds that move differently
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ZAUG.
Explore ZAUG Diversifiers