SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) 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 GLD. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to GLD
GLD charges 0.40% annually. There are 12 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% | 6.66B | Jun 2021 | GLD vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 28.75B | Jun 2018 | GLD vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 437.03M | Jun 2022 | GLD vs FGDL | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 7.30B | Sep 2009 | GLD vs SGOL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.43B | Aug 2017 | GLD vs BAR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GLD
GLD has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 21. There are 21 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 | 301.05M | Mar 2015 | GLD vs SGDJ | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 33 | 525.87M | Mar 2022 | GLD vs GDE | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 31 | 151.69M | Feb 2025 | GLD vs GBUG | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 30 | 2.43B | Jan 2012 | GLD vs RING | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 29 | 116.80M | Nov 2010 | GLD vs GOEX |
Top Performing GLD Alternatives (YTD)
GLD is at -7.67% YTD. There are 12 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 9.14%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 9.14% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | GLD vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 4.59% | 107.19M | Dec 2008 | GLD vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -3.38% | 525.87M | Mar 2022 | GLD vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -5.32% | 49.20M | Jan 2021 | GLD vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -7.25% | 180.36M | Jan 2013 | GLD vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GLD
GLD has 27.75% 1-year volatility. There are 12 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.65% | 49.20M | Jan 2021 | GLD vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.26% | 180.36M | Jan 2013 | GLD vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.66% | 472.53M | Jun 2025 | GLD vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.64% | 543.16M | Mar 2021 | GLD vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 24.79% | 30.11M | Apr 2025 | GLD vs GLDY |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GLD
GLD has a 1-year max drawdown of -26.21%. There are 13 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% | 49.20M | Jan 2021 | GLD vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 180.36M | Jan 2013 | GLD vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 472.53M | Jun 2025 | GLD vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 525.87M | Mar 2022 | GLD vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 543.16M | Mar 2021 | GLD vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from State Street
The 10 most viewed State Street ETFs shown here include SPY, XLK, SPYG and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $765B.
Often Compared With GLD
Investors most often compare GLD with IAU, SLV, GOLD. These 17 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare GLD with Any Fund or Stock
Compare GLD with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair GLD with funds that move differently
SPDR Gold Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to GLD.
Explore GLD Diversifiers