DMAX vs VIXI
iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Dec ETF vs Defiance Enhanced Long Vol ETF
Which is better, DMAX or VIXI?
DMAX costs less.
DMAX has a lower expense ratio.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DMAX | VIXI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Best | 1.02% |
| AUM | $132M | $2M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 7 | 10 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 31, 2024 | Aug 7, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight, Style.
The two price series end 295 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DMAX has data through Oct 14, 2026 and VIXI through Dec 23, 2025.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMAX charges 0.50% per year while VIXI charges 1.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $102 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DMAX currently yields 0.86% against 0.00% for VIXI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in DMAX and 2 in VIXI, totalling 106.5% and 51.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 335 days apart, DMAX as of Oct 1, 2026 and VIXI as of Oct 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in DMAX and 2 in VIXI, against full books of 7 and 10.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DMAX and VIXI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DMAX or VIXI?
DMAX has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VIXI charges 1.02%. DMAX is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, DMAX or VIXI?
DMAX yields 0.86% while VIXI yields 0.00%, so DMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VIXI better than DMAX?
DMAX has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.