VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) 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 GDX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to GDX
GDX charges 0.51% annually. There are 17 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 | GDX vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | GDX vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 415.33M | Jun 2022 | GDX vs FGDL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.37B | Aug 2017 | GDX vs BAR | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 6.81B | Sep 2009 | GDX vs SGOL |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GDX
GDX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 28. There are 5 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 | GDX vs SGDJ | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 35 | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | GDX vs GDE | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 33 | 141.74M | Feb 2025 | GDX vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 32 | 107.26M | Nov 2010 | GDX vs GOEX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 31 | 2.29B | Jan 2012 | GDX vs RING |
Top Performing GDX Alternatives (YTD)
GDX is at -14.46% YTD. There are 24 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 | GDX vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 3.86% | 113.41M | Dec 2008 | GDX vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -1.12% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | GDX vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -4.89% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | GDX vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -6.48% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | GDX vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GDX
GDX has 48.08% 1-year volatility. There are 21 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 | GDX vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.45% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | GDX vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.83% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | GDX vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.90% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | GDX vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 25.07% | 25.43M | Apr 2025 | GDX vs GOLI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GDX
GDX has a 1-year max drawdown of -36.66%. There are 22 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 | GDX vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | GDX vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | GDX vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | GDX vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | GDX vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, NLR, GDXJ and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $74B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 92 | 62.61% | 73.62B | Dec 2011 | GDX vs SMH | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities | 11 | -11.85% | 4.13B | Aug 2007 | GDX vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 27 | -16.15% | 7.11B | Nov 2009 | GDX vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 27 | 2.73% | 11.77B | Apr 2012 | GDX vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 82 | 54.35% | 286.70M | Aug 2024 | GDX vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 49 | 3.18% | 2.40B | Oct 2010 | GDX vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 3 | -6.86% | 1.60B | Feb 2013 | GDX vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.87% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | GDX vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.54% | 2.89B | Apr 2011 | GDX vs FLTR | |
| VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | Blockchain, Technology Equities | 11 | 8.11% | 251.57M | Apr 2021 | GDX vs DAPP |
Often Compared With GDX
Investors most often compare GDX with GLD, GOLD, IAU. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare GDX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare GDX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair GDX with funds that move differently
VanEck Gold Miners ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to GDX.
Explore GDX Diversifiers