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5 best gold ETFs

Here are the 5 best gold ETFs based on year-to-date returns.

Gold ETFs are exchange-traded funds that aim to track the physical price of gold without having investors directly buy and store physical gold.

Our top picks for platforms where you can invest in gold ETFs

Top pick for investing by theme

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  • Trade $0 commission stocks & ETFs with as little as $1
  • Earn up to $300 with qualifying deposits
  • Discover new opportunities with Opto's AI-driven thematic investing system
  • Theme and ETF screener

Top pick for stock bonuses

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  • Trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, alternative asset funds
  • $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options with no options contract fees
  • Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days
  • Access to a financial planner
Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.028%

Alternative pick for crypto trading

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  • Trade bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) for a 1.4%-1.6% fee
  • One-step trading across crypto, precious metals and fiat currencies
  • Choose from 250+ cryptocurrencies, with early support for new coins
  • FDIC-insured high-yield account earns up to 4.40% APY
Terms apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Available in the US, CA, UK and AU

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5 best gold ETFs for 2025

These are the best gold ETFs based on year-to-date (YTD) performance for 2024.

LogoETF name and tickerETF descriptionExpense ratioYTD return
SPDR S&P ETF logo
SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM)
GLDM is a SPDR ETF that tracks the performance of the price of gold bullion.
0.10%
8.79%
iShares U.S. Aerospace Defense ETF logo
iShares Gold Trust Micro ETF of Benef Interest (IAUM)
Touted as the lowest-cost physical gold ETF currently on the market, IAUM is an iShares ETF that reflects the performance of the price of gold.
0.09%
8.79%
GraniteShares logo
GraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR)
BAR is a GraniteShares ETF, offering investors exposure to the price performance of physical gold.
0.17%
8.75%
goldman sachs logo
Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU)
AAAU is a Goldman Sachs ETF, offering investors exposure to the performance of the price of gold.
0.18%
8.71%
Franklin FTSE Italy ETF logo
Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL)
FGDL is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide exposure to responsibly sourced gold investments.
0.15%
8.70%

How to buy the best gold ETF in 5 easy steps

  1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Select from our Top Picks, use our comparison table or jump straight to the best stock trading apps of 2025.
  2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
  3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
  4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol.
  5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It’s that simple.

What are gold ETFs?

Gold ETFs are funds that aim to track the price performance of gold or the performance of companies involved in the gold mining industry. A gold ETF’s value goes up or down based on the price of physical gold or company stock value.

Unlike individual gold stocks, gold mining ETFs expose you to a variety of companies through a single purchase. Unlike physical gold, gold ETFs that track the metal’s price performance expose investors to gold without them needing to store the physical metal itself.

A photo of matthewmiczulski

What Matt says about getting exposure to gold through an ETF

ETFs present a convenient, cost-effective way to invest in gold without the burden of having to store the physical metal yourself. And with gold prices near $2,000 an ounce, ETFs also offer flexibility for investors who don't have a lot of money but who want exposure to this precious metal.

— Matt Miczulski, Editor, Investments.

Compare more trading platforms to invest in gold ETFs

Narrow down top trading platforms by available asset types, minimum deposit and more to find the best for your budget and financial goals.

1 - 11 of 11
Product USFST Finder Score Available asset types Stock trade fee Minimum deposit Key features Offer
OPTO logo
Finder score
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
  • Discover emerging trends
  • Invest by theme
  • Design your own stock index
Earn up to $300 when you deposit between $500–$3,000
SoFi Wealth Management logo
Finder score
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives
$0
$0
  • Invest, bank, borrow and more
  • SoFi Plus benefits
  • Taxable and retirement accounts
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account. T&C apply.
Tastytrade logo
Finder score
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Treasury Bills
$0
$0
  • Real-time market insights
  • Live educational shows
  • Professional trading tools
Get $50-$5,000 when you open and fund an account with $2,000 to $1,000,000+
Robinhood logo
Finder score
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures
$0
$0
  • Get up to 3% in IRA boosts
  • Get 4% APY on cash with Gold
  • Active trading tools
Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Zacks Trade logo
Finder score
Stocks, Bonds, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs
$0.01
$250
  • Low margin rates
  • Customizable trading platforms
  • Professional trading tools
Get up to $500 when you open and fund an account. Terms apply.
Public logo
Finder score
Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Alternatives, Treasury Bills, High-yield cash account
$0
$0
  • Lock in a 6.8% bond account yield
  • Earn rebates on options trades
  • Earn 4.1% APY on your cash
Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public.
Acorns logo
Finder score
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
  • Invest spare change
  • Get a 3% IRA contribution match
  • Invest and bank
Get a $20 bonus when you set up an account and make your first recurring investment (min. $5).
Stash Investments LLC logo
Finder score
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
  • Invest and bank
  • Active and robo investing
  • Invest spare change
Get $10 when you sign up and deposit $5.
Wealthfront logo
Finder score
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$500
  • Earn 4% APY on your cash
  • Active and robo investing
  • Automated bond investing
Get a $50 bonus when you sign up and fund a taxable automated investing account with at least $500.
JPMorgan logo
Finder score
Mutual funds, ETFs
$0
$25,000
  • Personalized financial planning
  • Get an expert-built portfolio
  • Ongoing advice
M1 Finance logo
Finder score
Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$100
  • Earn 4% APY on your cash
  • Active investing with automated tools
  • Low margin rates
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What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 147 key metrics we collected directly from 18+ brokers and assessed each provider’s performance based on nine different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then scored and ranked each provider to determine the best brokerage accounts.

We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions about gold ETFs

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Associate Publisher, Investments

Jaclyn Hurst was an associate publisher at Finder. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Redeemer University and a University Certificate in Management Foundations from Athabasca University. She’s as passionate about business and finance as she is about the great Canadian outdoors, organic Sumatra coffee and music. See full bio

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