Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

5 best gold ETFs for December 2023

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

Best for beginners


  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days

Best for options trading


  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: Get $100-$5,000 when you open an account with $5,000 to $1,000,000+

Best for social investing


  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: [FINDER EXCLUSIVE] Get a $25 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100

Paid non-client promotion. Finder does not invest money with providers on this page. If a brand is a referral partner, we're paid when you click or tap through to, open an account with or provide your contact information to the provider. Partnerships are not a recommendation for you to invest with any one company. Learn more about how we make money.

Finder is not an adviser or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.

5 best gold ETFs for 2023

These are the best gold ETFs based on year-to-date (YTD) performance for 2023.

LogoETF name and tickerETF descriptionExpense ratioYTD return
SPDR S&P ETF logoSPDR 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 logoiShares 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 logoGraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR)BAR is a GraniteShares ETF, offering investors exposure to the price performance of physical gold.0.17%8.75%
goldman sachs logoGoldman 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 logoFranklin 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 2023.
  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 - 6 of 6
Name Product Ratings Available asset types Minimum deposit Stock trade fee Signup bonus
SoFi Invest
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
SoFi Invest
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$0
Get up to $1,000 in stock
when you fund a new account within 30 days
tastytrade
Finder Rating: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★
tastytrade
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures
$0
$0
Get $100-$5,000
when you open and fund an account with $5,000 to $1,000,000+
Highly commended for Best Derivatives Trading Platform award.
eToro
Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
EXCLUSIVE
eToro
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$0
FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $25 bonus
when you sign up and deposit $100
Not available in NY, NV, MN, TN, and HI.
Public.com
Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
Public.com
★★★★★
Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Art, Treasury Bills, Collectibles
$0
$0
2.5% fee applies to all alternative asset transactions.
Robinhood
Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Robinhood
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$0
Get a free stock
when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Make unlimited commission-free trades, plus earn 5% interest on uninvested cash in your account with Robinhood Gold. Subscription fees apply.
Wealthfront
Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
Wealthfront
★★★★★
Stocks, ETFs
$500
$0
Get a $50 bonus
when you fund your first taxable Automated Investing Account.
Automated stock and bond ETF investing with the ability to trade individual stocks for as little as $1 apiece.
loading

Frequently asked questions about gold ETFs

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site