Global X Gold Miners ETF (AUAU) 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 AUAU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to AUAU
AUAU charges 0.35% annually. There are 8 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% | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | AUAU vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 30.87B | Jun 2018 | AUAU vs GLDM | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.49B | Aug 2017 | AUAU vs BAR | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 7.51B | Sep 2009 | AUAU vs SGOL | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | 0.18% | 2.68B | Jul 2018 | AUAU vs AAAU |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to AUAU
Among 25 ETFs in the Gold category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 44.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 44 | 576.93M | Mar 2022 | AUAU vs GDE | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 34 | 2.79B | Jan 2012 | AUAU vs RING | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 30 | 27.13B | May 2006 | AUAU vs GDX | |
| Invesco DB Precious Metals Fund | 30 | 275.21M | Jan 2007 | AUAU vs DBP | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 30 | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | AUAU vs IAUM |
Top Performing AUAU Alternatives (YTD)
AUAU is at -6.86% YTD. There are 18 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.75%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 4.75% | 576.93M | Mar 2022 | AUAU vs GDE | |
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 2.40% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | AUAU vs DGZ | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.10% | 7.51B | Sep 2009 | AUAU vs SGOL | |
| VanEck Merk Gold Trust | 0.07% | 2.82B | May 2014 | AUAU vs OUNZ | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 0.07% | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | AUAU vs IAUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to AUAU
AUAU has 51.93% 1-year volatility. There are 21 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.09% | 51.28M | Jan 2021 | AUAU vs BGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 20.12% | 32.32M | Apr 2025 | AUAU vs GLDY | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 20.51% | 462.95M | Jun 2025 | AUAU vs IAUI | |
| FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 23.49% | 591.41M | Mar 2021 | AUAU vs IGLD | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 26.56% | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | AUAU vs IAUM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to AUAU
Among 26 ETFs in the Gold category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -11.11%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -11.11% | 51.28M | Jan 2021 | AUAU vs BGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | -15.57% | 32.32M | Apr 2025 | AUAU vs GLDY | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -16.88% | 462.95M | Jun 2025 | AUAU vs IAUI | |
| FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -17.56% | 591.41M | Mar 2021 | AUAU vs IGLD | |
| VanEck Merk Gold Trust | -20.00% | 2.82B | May 2014 | AUAU vs OUNZ |
Other ETFs from Global X
The 10 most viewed Global X ETFs shown here include QYLD, SHLD, URA and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF | Nasdaq-100, Derivative Income | 85 | 5.92% | 8.41B | Dec 2013 | AUAU vs QYLD | |
| Global X Defense Tech ETF | Aerospace & Defense | 15 | -2.69% | 7.99B | Sep 2023 | AUAU vs SHLD | |
| Global X Uranium ETF | Commodity Producers Equities | 27 | 6.04% | 7.06B | Nov 2010 | AUAU vs URA | |
| Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 62 | 22.93% | 10.85B | May 2018 | AUAU vs AIQ | |
| Global X Copper Miners ETF | Materials | 60 | 12.33% | 7.99B | Apr 2010 | AUAU vs COPX | |
| Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Themat... | Robotics, Technology Equities | 26 | 4.83% | 3.74B | Sep 2016 | AUAU vs BOTZ | |
| Global X Silver Miners ETF | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -5.08% | 5.22B | Apr 2010 | AUAU vs SIL | |
| Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | Derivative Income, S&P 500 | 82 | 4.18% | 3.17B | Jun 2013 | AUAU vs XYLD | |
| Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | REIT | 88 | 45.21% | 2.14B | Oct 2020 | AUAU vs DTCR | |
| Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF | Industrials Equities | 59 | 18.60% | 13.54B | Mar 2017 | AUAU vs PAVE |
Often Compared With AUAU
Investors most often compare AUAU with GBUG, GDMN, KGLD. These 6 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | Gold, Silver, Commodity Producers Equities, Precious Metals | 28 | -11.03% | 166.17M | Feb 2025 | AUAU vs GBUG | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strateg... | Commodities, Gold | 29 | -12.60% | 197.59M | Dec 2021 | AUAU vs GDMN | |
| Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF | Derivative Income, Gold | — | -0.07% | 90.82M | Jul 2025 | AUAU vs KGLD | |
| DB Gold Double Long Exchange Traded Notes | Leveraged Commodities, Gold | 27 | -5.29% | 228.65M | Feb 2008 | AUAU vs DGP | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 29 | 0.06% | 69.92B | Jan 2005 | AUAU vs IAU | |
| Themes Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 25 | -13.05% | 28.42M | Dec 2023 | AUAU vs AUMI |
Compare AUAU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare AUAU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair AUAU with funds that move differently
Global X Gold Miners ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to AUAU.
Explore AUAU Diversifiers