VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) 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 GDXJ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to GDXJ
GDXJ charges 0.52% annually. There are 18 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% | 6.34B | Jun 2021 | GDXJ vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 27.37B | Jun 2018 | GDXJ vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 415.34M | Jun 2022 | GDXJ vs FGDL | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 6.73B | Sep 2009 | GDXJ vs SGOL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.34B | Aug 2017 | GDXJ vs BAR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GDXJ
GDXJ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 38. There are 4 ETFs in the Gold category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 48.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 48 | 272.75M | Mar 2015 | GDXJ vs SGDJ | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 44 | 141.51M | Feb 2025 | GDXJ vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 44 | 104.44M | Nov 2010 | GDXJ vs GOEX | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 42 | 433.45M | Mar 2022 | GDXJ vs GDE | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 37 | 2.04B | Jan 2012 | GDXJ vs RING |
Top Performing GDXJ Alternatives (YTD)
GDXJ is at -13.28% YTD. There are 27 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.59%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 4.59% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | GDXJ vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 1.26% | 124.20M | Dec 2008 | GDXJ vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 0.83% | 433.45M | Mar 2022 | GDXJ vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -3.76% | 50.90M | Jan 2021 | GDXJ vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -4.83% | 166.76M | Jan 2013 | GDXJ vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GDXJ
GDXJ has 54.05% 1-year volatility. There are 30 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.42%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.42% | 50.90M | Jan 2021 | GDXJ vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.75% | 166.76M | Jan 2013 | GDXJ vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 22.13% | 494.75M | Jun 2025 | GDXJ vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 25.12% | 514.13M | Mar 2021 | GDXJ vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 25.26% | 22.65M | Apr 2025 | GDXJ vs GOLI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GDXJ
GDXJ has a 1-year max drawdown of -41.32%. There are 27 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% | 50.90M | Jan 2021 | GDXJ vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 166.76M | Jan 2013 | GDXJ vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 494.75M | Jun 2025 | GDXJ vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 433.45M | Mar 2022 | GDXJ vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 514.13M | Mar 2021 | GDXJ vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $68B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 88 | 51.46% | 68.10B | Dec 2011 | GDXJ vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 36 | -11.33% | 22.65B | May 2006 | GDXJ vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities, Energy Equities | 13 | -10.20% | 3.81B | Aug 2007 | GDXJ vs NLR | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 41 | 5.78% | 11.80B | Apr 2012 | GDXJ vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 68 | 45.86% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | GDXJ vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 33 | -8.51% | 1.90B | Oct 2010 | GDXJ vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 5 | -4.84% | 1.57B | Feb 2013 | GDXJ vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.01% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | GDXJ vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.70% | 3.00B | Apr 2011 | GDXJ vs FLTR | |
| VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | Blockchain, Technology Equities | 18 | 11.01% | 228.65M | Apr 2021 | GDXJ vs DAPP |
Often Compared With GDXJ
Investors most often compare GDXJ with GLD, SILJ, GOLD. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare GDXJ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare GDXJ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair GDXJ with funds that move differently
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to GDXJ.
Explore GDXJ Diversifiers