Table Of Content
Gold ETFs have become the go-to solution for everyday investors who want simple, low-cost exposure to gold—without the headaches of storing physical metal.
Whether you're hedging your portfolio or betting on the next leg up in gold, ETFs offer flexibility and liquidity that’s hard to beat.
Top 5 Gold ETFs to Buy in 2025
Here are five top-performing and widely trusted gold ETFs that stand out in 2025—each with a slightly different angle depending on your goals.
ETF | AUM (Approx.) | Expense Ratio | Gold Storage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) | $60B+ | 0.40% | HSBC Vault (London) | Liquidity & institutional access |
IAU (iShares Gold Trust) | $30B+ | 0.25% | JPMorgan (various vaults) | Long-term, low-cost investing |
SGOL (Aberdeen Physical Gold Shares) | $3B+ | 0.17% | Zurich (Swiss vaults) | Jurisdictional safety & transparency |
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) | $12B+ | 0.51% | N/A (holds equities) | Growth via miners, not metal |
BAR (GraniteShares Gold Trust) | $1.5B+ | 0.17% | ICBC Standard (London) | Fee-conscious, transparent investors |
1. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) – The Market Leader
GLD is the largest and most liquid gold ETF in the world, with over $60 billion in assets. It tracks the spot price of gold and is backed by gold held in HSBC’s London vault
Expense Ratio: 0.40%
Structure: Physically backed by gold bullion, stored in HSBC vaults in London
Average Daily Volume: Extremely high, offering tight bid-ask spreads for traders
-
Consider GLD if:
You want large-scale exposure with high trading volume.
You're planning to trade gold in volatile markets.
You prefer an ETF with a strong reputation and transparency.
2. iShares Gold Trust (IAU) – Low-Cost Alternative
IAU is often seen as a cheaper cousin to GLD. It also holds physical gold but offers a lower expense ratio of just 0.25% (vs. 0.40% for GLD), which can add up over time—especially for long-term investors.
-
Consider IAU if:
- You want to minimize expense ratios.
You plan to hold long-term rather than trade frequently.
You’re building a diversified retirement portfolio.
3. Aberdeen Physical Gold Shares (SGOL)
SGOL is another physically backed gold ETF, but it stores its gold in Zurich, Switzerland rather than London or New York.
For investors concerned about geopolitical risks or jurisdictional safety, this international diversification is appealing.
It charges a low expense ratio of 0.17%, one of the lowest in the gold ETF space. SGOL has gained popularity in 2025 due to growing demand for secure, offshore storage
-
Consider SGOL if:
-
You want offshore vaulting (Swiss storage).
-
You care about storage transparency—SGOL provides serial numbers of every bar.
-
You value low fees with physical backing.
4. VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) – Leveraged Play on Gold
GDX doesn’t hold physical gold—it holds shares of leading gold mining companies like Newmont, Barrick Gold, and Franco-Nevada.
In gold bull markets, mining stocks often outperform physical gold due to their leveraged earnings.
However, it’s more volatile than bullion-tracking ETFs. During corrections, it tends to fall harder.
-
Consider GDX if:
- You want growth potential beyond gold prices.
You’re comfortable with more risk and stock-specific volatility.
You want indirect exposure through mining equity.
5. GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR)
BAR is a newer entrant but gaining traction due to its combination of low fees (0.17%), strong transparency, and tight gold tracking.
Like SGOL and IAU, BAR is backed by fully allocated physical gold.
It has outperformed slightly in recent months thanks to low tracking error and growing inflows from long-term investors.
It also publishes daily gold bar lists and storage audits, appealing to security-conscious investors.
-
Consider BAR if:
You want a low-fee ETF from a newer, efficient issuer.
Transparency and auditing matter to you.
You’re looking for a buy-and-hold gold position.
How to Invest in Gold ETFs Through a Brokerage?
Investing in gold ETFs through a brokerage account is straightforward and beginner-friendly. Here's a step-by-step guide to get started:
- Step 1: Open a Brokerage Account: Choose a reputable broker like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, or E*TRADE. Make sure it offers commission-free ETF trading and access to popular gold ETFs like GLD, IAU, or GDX.
- Step 2: Fund Your Account: Transfer money from your bank account or roll over funds from another account. Most platforms support ACH transfers, wires, and retirement rollovers.
- Step 3: Choose Your Gold ETF: Search for the ETF by ticker symbol (e.g., GLD, IAU, SGOL). Read the fund’s profile, expense ratio, and historical performance before investing.
- Step 4: Place Your Trade: Decide how many shares to buy, set a market or limit order, and execute the trade. You can also set up recurring buys for dollar-cost averaging.
Things To Consider When Investing In Gold ETFs
Investing in gold ETFs may be the best easiest way to buy gold, even if it's indirectly. However, there are things to consider – let's review the most important ones:
Expense Ratios Add Up: Even small differences in fees—like 0.40% vs. 0.17%—can significantly impact long-term returns, especially in retirement accounts or large holdings.
You Don’t Own the Physical Gold: With most gold ETFs, you're buying price exposure, not actual gold bars or coins—so you can’t request delivery or use it outside financial markets.
Tax Treatment May Differ: Physically backed gold ETFs like GLD may be taxed as collectibles (up to 28% capital gains), while mining ETFs like GDX are taxed as regular stocks.
Liquidity and Spread Matter: Popular ETFs like GLD and IAU offer tight bid-ask spreads, which lowers your cost when trading—especially important for active investors.
Storage Location and Transparency: Some ETFs (like SGOL or BAR) offer Swiss storage or publish bar lists for added peace of mind—worth considering if security or jurisdiction is a concern.
FAQ
Yes, most gold ETFs can be held in Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs. Just ensure your brokerage allows ETF investing in retirement accounts. For more on physical gold in retirement, see our article on gold IRAs with brokerages.
Gold mutual funds are often actively managed and may include a mix of mining stocks, futures, and cash, while ETFs typically track gold prices directly.
Leveraged ETFs like UGL aim to double daily returns of gold, but they carry high risk and are best for short-term trades—not long-term holding.
Gold ETFs are more liquid and easier to manage, but they lack the tangible, private ownership of physical coins or bars.
Physically backed gold ETFs do not pay dividends. However, mining ETFs like GDX may include companies that issue shareholder dividends.
The gold held by ETFs is legally owned by the trust, not the issuer. In case of bankruptcy, assets should remain secure and separate from creditors.
Most physically backed ETFs track the spot price, while others, like those based on futures contracts, may experience contango or tracking error.
Yes, many platforms—like Robinhood and Fidelity—allow you to purchase fractional shares, making it easier to invest smaller amounts.
Absolutely. Many brokerages support recurring buys, which allows you to steadily invest in gold ETFs over time—an effective strategy for volatility.
