VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) Alternatives
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 funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to GDX
GDX charges 0.51% annually. Among ETFs in the Gold category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among GDX alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 0.09% | Jun 15, 2021 | GDX vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | Jun 25, 2018 | GDX vs GLDM | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | Aug 31, 2017 | GDX vs BAR | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | Sep 9, 2009 | GDX vs SGOL | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | 0.18% | Jul 26, 2018 | GDX vs AAAU |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GDX
Among ETFs in the Gold category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strateg... | 91 | Dec 16, 2021 | GDX vs GDMN | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 89 | Mar 15, 2022 | GDX vs GDE | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 88 | Jun 15, 2021 | GDX vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 88 | Jun 25, 2018 | GDX vs GLDM | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 87 | Sep 9, 2009 | GDX vs SGOL |
Top Performing GDX Alternatives (YTD)
GDX alternatives from the Gold category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Double Long Exchange Traded Notes | 13.65% | Feb 27, 2008 | GDX vs DGP | |
| Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF | 10.03% | Jul 7, 2025 | GDX vs KGLD | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strateg... | 8.77% | Dec 16, 2021 | GDX vs GDMN | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 8.63% | Jun 15, 2021 | GDX vs IAUM | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 8.62% | Sep 9, 2009 | GDX vs SGOL |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GDX
GDX alternatives from the Gold category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.06% | Jan 20, 2021 | GDX vs BGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 19.99% | Apr 1, 2025 | GDX vs GLDY | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 20.78% | Jun 4, 2025 | GDX vs IAUI | |
| FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 23.75% | Mar 2, 2021 | GDX vs IGLD | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | 27.49% | Jul 26, 2018 | GDX vs AAAU |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GDX
GDX alternatives from the Gold category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -11.11% | Jan 20, 2021 | GDX vs BGLD | |
| FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -17.56% | Mar 2, 2021 | GDX vs IGLD | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | -19.13% | Jul 26, 2018 | GDX vs AAAU | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -19.14% | Sep 9, 2009 | GDX vs SGOL | |
| VanEck Merk Gold Trust | -19.14% | May 16, 2014 | GDX vs OUNZ |
Other ETFs from VanEck
Most popular VanEck ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 95 | 6.46% | Dec 20, 2011 | GDX vs SMH | |
| VanEck Vectors Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF | Alternative Energy Equities | 88 | 7.24% | Aug 13, 2007 | GDX vs NLR | |
| VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF | Materials | 92 | 5.50% | Nov 10, 2009 | GDX vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 36 | -6.62% | Apr 24, 2012 | GDX vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 85 | -2.14% | Aug 27, 2024 | GDX vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF | Materials | 95 | 19.05% | Oct 27, 2010 | GDX vs REMX | |
| VanEck Vectors BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 2 | -9.73% | Feb 11, 2013 | GDX vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 6 | -22.52% | Jan 4, 2024 | GDX vs HODL | |
| VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | Technology Equities, Blockchain | 53 | -9.74% | Apr 9, 2021 | GDX vs DAPP | |
| VanEck Vectors Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds | 92 | 0.71% | Apr 25, 2011 | GDX vs FLTR |
Often Compared With GDX
What investors most often compare with GDX, 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.