FDEC vs ZAPR
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - December vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April
Which is better, FDEC or ZAPR?
FDEC has been ahead.
ZAPR has a lower expense ratio. FDEC led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | FDEC | ZAPR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.79%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $68M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 21 |
| YTD Return | +10.08%Best | +5.06% |
| 1Y Return | +14.78%Best | +6.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.28% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.68% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.3% | 1.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.8% | -1.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,862Best | $11,037 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2020 | Apr 1, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.5 years).
FDEC vs ZAPR growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.5 years both funds cover.
FDEC vs ZAPR Performance
FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - December (FDEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April (ZAPR) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year FDEC returned +14.78% while ZAPR returned +6.36%. Year to date, FDEC is up 10.08% versus a gain of 5.06% for ZAPR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDEC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.3% compared with 1.1% for ZAPR. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -8.8% for FDEC and -1.7% for ZAPR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDEC charges 0.85% per year while ZAPR charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $79 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDEC currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for ZAPR.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDEC and ZAPR 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, FDEC or ZAPR?
FDEC has an expense ratio of 0.85% while ZAPR charges 0.79%. ZAPR is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDEC or ZAPR?
Over the past year FDEC returned +14.78% vs +6.36% for ZAPR, so FDEC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FDEC annualized +18.27% vs +6.80% for ZAPR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDEC or ZAPR?
FDEC has been the more volatile fund at 7.3% annualized versus 1.1% for ZAPR. Worst drawdown: FDEC -8.8% vs ZAPR -1.7%.
Should I hold both FDEC and ZAPR?
FDEC and ZAPR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDEC or ZAPR?
FDEC yields 0.00% while ZAPR yields 0.00%, so ZAPR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZAPR better than FDEC?
ZAPR has a lower expense ratio. FDEC led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.