Ford has a big presentation on why Motorcraft only filters are the only way to go on a stock truck. Price isn't that much different, so I don't bother risking it. A lot of competitors have equally good filtration paper, but how the filter seals in the base, and closes the drain valve plays a big role. They have patents on the design preventing others to make them the same way. On fuel filters, the one on the frame also has specific patents involving an air bleed, allowing fuel to filter around the entire element. Others keep air trapped in the housing, preventing full surface filtration. The factory one also has a water repelling sock. Maybe some aftermarket ones have similar designs to be just as good, so maybe there are examples, but I do know some aftermarket designs are significantly inferior. If they find non-oem filters in a warranty vehicle, it's an automatic red flag, and you have to prove it's just as good to get any warranty help. Maybe others have examples of aftermarket filters that address these issues.