Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) belongs to the Gold category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with AAAU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to AAAU
AAAU charges 0.18% annually. There are 5 ETFs in the Gold category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 0.09% | 6.41B | Jun 2021 | AAAU vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | AAAU vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 415.33M | Jun 2022 | AAAU vs FGDL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.37B | Aug 2017 | AAAU vs BAR | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 6.81B | Sep 2009 | AAAU vs SGOL |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to AAAU
AAAU has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 22. There are 15 ETFs in the Gold category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 37.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 37 | 279.82M | Mar 2015 | AAAU vs SGDJ | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 35 | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | AAAU vs GDE | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 33 | 141.74M | Feb 2025 | AAAU vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 32 | 107.26M | Nov 2010 | AAAU vs GOEX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 31 | 2.29B | Jan 2012 | AAAU vs RING |
Top Performing AAAU Alternatives (YTD)
AAAU is at -7.29% YTD. There are 9 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 7.37%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 7.37% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | AAAU vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 3.86% | 113.41M | Dec 2008 | AAAU vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -1.12% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | AAAU vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -4.89% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | AAAU vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -6.48% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | AAAU vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to AAAU
AAAU has 27.68% 1-year volatility. There are 7 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.68%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.68% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | AAAU vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.45% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | AAAU vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.83% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | AAAU vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.90% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | AAAU vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 25.07% | 25.43M | Apr 2025 | AAAU vs GOLI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to AAAU
AAAU has a 1-year max drawdown of -26.14%. There are 8 ETFs in the Gold category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -12.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -12.43% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | AAAU vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | AAAU vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | AAAU vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | AAAU vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | AAAU vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from Goldman Sachs
The 10 most viewed Goldman Sachs ETFs shown here include GPIQ, GPIX, GSLC and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $15B.
Often Compared With AAAU
Investors most often compare AAAU with GLD, IAU, GOLD. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare AAAU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare AAAU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair AAAU with funds that move differently
Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to AAAU.
Explore AAAU Diversifiers