APRB vs QQQ
Aptus April Buffer ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, APRB or QQQ?
Option Writing against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. APRB 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 | APRB | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $25M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 10 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +6.68%Best | +5.89% |
| 1Y Return | +8.06%Best | +4.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.84% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3%Best | 23.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.6%Best | -14.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,979Best | $10,906 |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 14, 2025 to Nov 5, 2026 (1.1 years).
APRB vs QQQ 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
APRB vs QQQ Performance
Aptus April Buffer ETF (APRB) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year APRB returned +8.06% while QQQ returned +4.30%. Year to date, APRB is up 6.68% versus a gain of 5.89% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 5.3% for APRB. 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 -4.6% for APRB and -14.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
APRB charges 0.25% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $18 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, APRB currently yields 0.00% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of APRB and QQQ 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, APRB or QQQ?
APRB has an expense ratio of 0.25% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, APRB or QQQ?
Over the past year APRB returned +8.06% vs +4.30% for QQQ, so APRB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), APRB annualized +8.86% vs +8.20% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, APRB or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 5.3% for APRB. Worst drawdown: APRB -4.6% vs QQQ -14.8%.
Should I hold both APRB and QQQ?
APRB and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, APRB or QQQ?
APRB yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than APRB?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. APRB 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.