Nicholas Gold Income ETF (GLDN) 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 GLDN. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to GLDN
GLDN charges 1.07% annually. There are 37 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 | GLDN vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 28.75B | Jun 2018 | GLDN vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 437.03M | Jun 2022 | GLDN vs FGDL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.43B | Aug 2017 | GLDN vs BAR | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 7.30B | Sep 2009 | GLDN vs SGOL |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GLDN
Among 36 ETFs in the Gold category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 39.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 39 | 301.05M | Mar 2015 | GLDN vs SGDJ | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 33 | 525.87M | Mar 2022 | GLDN vs GDE | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 32 | 151.69M | Feb 2025 | GLDN vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 32 | 116.80M | Nov 2010 | GLDN vs GOEX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 31 | 2.43B | Jan 2012 | GLDN vs RING |
Top Performing GLDN Alternatives (YTD)
Among 40 ETFs in the Gold category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 12.34%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 12.34% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | GLDN vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 2.68% | 107.19M | Dec 2008 | GLDN vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -2.79% | 525.87M | Mar 2022 | GLDN vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -4.82% | 49.20M | Jan 2021 | GLDN vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -6.35% | 180.36M | Jan 2013 | GLDN vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GLDN
GLDN has 43.22% 1-year volatility. There are 19 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.62%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.62% | 49.20M | Jan 2021 | GLDN vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.22% | 180.36M | Jan 2013 | GLDN vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.63% | 472.53M | Jun 2025 | GLDN vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.64% | 543.16M | Mar 2021 | GLDN vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 24.79% | 30.11M | Apr 2025 | GLDN vs GLDY |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GLDN
Among 36 ETFs in the Gold category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go 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 | GLDN vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 180.36M | Jan 2013 | GLDN vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 472.53M | Jun 2025 | GLDN vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 525.87M | Mar 2022 | GLDN vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 543.16M | Mar 2021 | GLDN vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from Nicholas
The 5 most viewed Nicholas ETFs shown here include BLOX, GIAX, FIAX and span 4 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $298M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Crypto Income ETF | Cryptocurrency | 12 | 7.21% | 298.00M | Jun 2025 | GLDN vs BLOX | |
| Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF | Derivative Income | 31 | 16.24% | 89.37M | Jul 2024 | GLDN vs GIAX | |
| Nicholas Fixed Income Alternative ETF | Nontraditional Bonds | 36 | 1.58% | 132.16M | Nov 2022 | GLDN vs FIAX | |
| Fitz-Gerald Must Have Portfolio ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | — | — | 22.49M | May 2026 | GLDN vs FITZ | |
| Nicholas Bitcoin Tail ETF | Cryptocurrency | — | — | 13.47M | Mar 2026 | GLDN vs BHDG |
Often Compared With GLDN
Investors most often compare GLDN with AAAU, DBP, GDX. These 8 comparison targets span 4 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -6.75% | 2.65B | Jul 2018 | GLDN vs AAAU | |
| Invesco DB Precious Metals Fund | Precious Metals, Gold | 21 | -10.09% | 251.61M | Jan 2007 | GLDN vs DBP | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 29 | -11.78% | 25.30B | May 2006 | GLDN vs GDX | |
| Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF | Derivative Income, Gold, Precious Metals | — | -7.21% | 90.82M | Jul 2025 | GLDN vs KGLD | |
| VanEck Merk Gold ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -6.68% | 2.61B | May 2014 | GLDN vs OUNZ | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 29 | -13.96% | 7.89B | Nov 2009 | GLDN vs GDXJ | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strateg... | Commodities, Gold, Precious Metals | 24 | -21.74% | 170.46M | Dec 2021 | GLDN vs GDMN | |
| Sprott Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 26 | -10.21% | 616.13M | Jul 2014 | GLDN vs SGDM |
Compare GLDN with Any Fund or Stock
Compare GLDN with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair GLDN with funds that move differently
Nicholas Gold Income ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to GLDN.
Explore GLDN Diversifiers