BTFL vs QQQ

BTFL vs QQQ

Which is better, BTFL or QQQ?

Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Growth.

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BTFL led over the full window.

Lower Fees: QQQHigher Returns (full window): BTFL

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

MetricBTFLQQQ
Expense Ratio1.31%0.18%Best
AUM$2M$483.5B
Dividend Yield0.00%0.44%
Holdings6107
Volatility (annualized)3486232.1%18.4%Best
Max Drawdown--35.1%
$10,000 over 11.8 years$617,822Best$71,711
Fund FamilyDefiance ETFs, LLCInvesco (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleTrading-Leveraged EquityLarge Cap Growth
InceptionDec 29, 2025Mar 10, 1999

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 151 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BTFL has data through Apr 24, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 22, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 11.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2014 to Apr 24, 2026 (11.8 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

BTFL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 3486232.1% compared with 18.4% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

BTFL charges 1.31% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $131 vs $18 annually, a gap of $113 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BTFL currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 1 holding in BTFL and 102 in QQQ, totalling 17.2% and 99.9% 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 187 days apart, BTFL as of Jan 30, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, 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 1 positions we hold weights for in BTFL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 6 and 107.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of BTFL and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

BTFLQQQ

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, BTFL or QQQ?

BTFL has an expense ratio of 1.31% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $113 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, BTFL or QQQ?

BTFL has been the more volatile fund at 3486232.1% annualized versus 18.4% for QQQ.

Should I hold both BTFL and QQQ?

BTFL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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, BTFL or QQQ?

BTFL yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is QQQ better than BTFL?

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BTFL led over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.