OptionsPilot vs QYLD: DIY Covered Calls vs Covered Call ETF (2026)
Should you use OptionsPilot to sell your own covered calls or just buy QYLD? Compare DIY covered call strategies with covered call ETFs.
Feature Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sell my own covered calls or buy QYLD?
If you want higher potential returns and don't mind active management, sell your own covered calls with OptionsPilot. If you want passive income with no effort, buy QYLD. DIY covered calls typically outperform because you can optimize strikes and avoid QYLD's expense ratio.
What is QYLD's yield?
QYLD typically yields 10-12% annually through monthly distributions. However, it caps all upside by selling at-the-money calls. With OptionsPilot, you can potentially earn similar or higher yields while retaining some upside by choosing OTM strikes.
Is QYLD good for income?
QYLD provides high, consistent monthly income with no effort. However, it underperforms in bull markets due to capped upside. For truly passive income, QYLD works. For optimized income with upside potential, use OptionsPilot to sell your own covered calls.
What are the downsides of QYLD?
QYLD caps all upside (sells ATM calls), has a 0.60% expense ratio, monthly taxable distributions, and has historically underperformed simple index investing in bull markets. DIY covered calls with OptionsPilot avoid these issues.
Our Verdict
Use OptionsPilot for: Finding and analyzing covered calls with AI-powered recommendations, calculating returns instantly, and tracking positions with iPhone widgets.
Use QYLD ETF for: Passive income with no effort required.
Best approach: Sell your own covered calls with OptionsPilot for better returns and more control.
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