TAPR vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAPR (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2027) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TAPR is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while BUFF is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. TAPR is actively managed, while BUFF is passively managed. Over the past year, TAPR returned 6.62% vs 14.36% for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TAPR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

TAPR vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2027 (TAPR) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAPR achieves a 2.13% return, which is significantly lower than BUFF's 5.42% return.

TAPR

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 6.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 14.36%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.71%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

TAPR vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TAPR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2027	2.13%	6.44%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	5.42%	12.83%

Correlation

The correlation between TAPR and BUFF is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.85

The correlation between TAPR and BUFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TAPR vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

TAPR

TAPR Risk / Return Rank: 88
TAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
TAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
TAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
TAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
TAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 89

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

TAPR vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2027 (TAPR) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	TAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	2.80	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.75	4.24	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.58	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	4.02	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.55	21.50	-1.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAPR vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAPR Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAPR and BUFF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	2.80	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.00	0.49	+1.50

Drawdowns

TAPR vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAPR drawdown since its inception was -2.60%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAPR and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAPR	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-46.23%	+43.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.75%	-3.58%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-0.27%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-6.18%	+5.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.67%	-0.33%

Volatility

TAPR vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2027 (TAPR) is 0.30%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that TAPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAPR	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.30%	1.02%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.70%	3.83%	-2.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22%	5.15%	-2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.73%	8.41%	-4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.73%	17.67%	-13.94%

TAPR vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAPR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAPR vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither TAPR nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.78%	1.26%	1.74%	1.55%	0.18%
TAPR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2027	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAPR and BUFF in my portfolio?

TAPR and BUFF have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAPR or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to TAPR (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAPR dropped -2.60% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, TAPR or BUFF?

On 1-year performance, BUFF leads with 14.36% vs 6.62% for TAPR. On fees, TAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, TAPR has been the lower-risk option at 0.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAPR or BUFF?

Over the 1-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 14.36% return vs 6.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAPR or BUFF?

TAPR is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TAPR or BUFF?

TAPR and BUFF have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between TAPR and BUFF?

TAPR is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFF is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for TAPR and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.80), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.