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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 advanced traders

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Get up to $5,000 cash
  • Trade options, futures, options on futures, stocks, ETFs
  • $0 commission to close options
  • Pro-grade platform and risk analysis tools

Our pick for transfer bonus

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Get up to $10,000 cash
  • Trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, alternative asset funds
  • $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options, with no options contract fees
  • Complimentary access to a financial planner and automated investing

Our pick for investing by theme

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

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5 best gold ETFs for 2024

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 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 2024.
  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.

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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 - 9 of 9
Name Product USFST Ratings Available asset types Stock trade fee Minimum deposit Cash sweep APY Signup bonus
Tastytrade
Finder Score: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Tastytrade
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Treasury Bills
$0
$0
N/A
Get $50-$5,000
Competitive, capped options commissions, with a reliable trading platform designed for serious traders.
SoFi Invest®
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
SoFi Invest®
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives
$0
$0
0.02%
Get up to $10,000 cash
Zero-commission stocks, ETFs and options, with no options per-contract fees. Plus, a no-advisory-fee robo-advisor and complimentary access to financial planners.
OPTO
Finder Score: 3.1 / 5: ★★★★★
OPTO
★★★★★
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
N/A
Earn up to $300
AI-driven thematic investing, with proprietary research, fractional shares and commission-free stocks and ETFs.
eToro
Finder Score: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
EXCLUSIVE
eToro
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$0
4.9%
FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $15 bonus
No commission stock, ETF and options trades, with 4.9% interest on your options account balance and no options contract fees.
Robinhood
Finder Score: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Robinhood
★★★★★
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$0
4.5%
Get a free stock
Trade stocks, options, ETFs and crypto without commissions and on a user-friendly platform. Plus, a 1% IRA match and no options contract fees.
Public.com
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Public.com
★★★★★
Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Alternatives, Treasury Bills, High-yield cash account
$0
$0
4.6%
Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered
Build a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, ETFs, crypto and alternative assets, with a high-yield cash account and options contract rebates.
Stash
Finder Score: 3.7 / 5: ★★★★★
Stash
★★★★★
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
0.1%
Get $10 when you sign up and deposit $5
Automated investing, individual stock and ETF investing and banking services for as low as $3 per month.
Wealthfront
Finder Score: 4.5 / 5: ★★★★★
Wealthfront
★★★★★
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$500
5%
Get $50
Automated stock and bond ETF investing with the ability to trade individual stocks for as little as $1 apiece.
Zacks Trade
Finder Score: 3.8 / 5: ★★★★★
Zacks Trade
★★★★★
Stocks, Bonds, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs
$0.01
$250
2.83%
Get up to $500
Trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds, with powerful trading tools and low margin rates.
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Frequently asked questions about gold ETFs

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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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