# How much does a buffer ETF cost?

> As of Nov 4, 2026, the median buffer ETF charges 0.79% a year, against 0.55% for all ETFs, across 431 single-period funds. Updated every trading night.

Data as of Nov 4, 2026. Rebuilt every trading night.

## How much does a buffer ETF cost?

Data as of Nov 4, 2026. Rebuilt every trading night.

As of Nov 4, 2026, the median buffer ETF charges 0.79% a year, against 0.55% for all ETFs, across 431 single-period funds.

### In plain words

A buffer ETF uses options to cushion the first part of an index fall over a set period, in exchange for a cap on the gain. The options cost money, and a yearly fee comes on top.

The median fee across 431 single-period funds is 0.79%, against 0.45% for stock ETFs. The larger cost in a strong year is the cap: past it the fund stops gaining. ETFIQ shows each fund’s fee, remaining cap and buffer left today.

### Questions

Does the fee include the cost of the options? The fee covers running the fund. The options cost shows up as the cap on the gain.

Where do I see a buffer ETF’s cap? On each fund page, with the issuer’s published terms and the date.

How many buffer ETFs are there? ETFIQ covers 524 buffer ETFs as of Nov 4, 2026; 431 are single-period funds with current terms.

### Where to next

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Source: ETFIQ, independent ETF data. Recomputed nightly from public filings and prices.
Cite: ETFIQ, How much does a buffer ETF cost?, data as of Nov 4, 2026. https://etfiq.com/learn/how-much-does-a-buffer-etf-cost
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