iShares Gold Trust (IAU) 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 IAU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IAU
IAU charges 0.25% annually. There are 6 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% | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | IAU vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 30.87B | Jun 2018 | IAU vs GLDM | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 7.51B | Sep 2009 | IAU vs SGOL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.49B | Aug 2017 | IAU vs BAR | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | 0.18% | 2.68B | Jul 2018 | IAU vs AAAU |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IAU
IAU has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 32. There are 12 ETFs in the Gold category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 49.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 49 | 576.93M | Mar 2022 | IAU vs GDE | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 39 | 2.79B | Jan 2012 | IAU vs RING | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 35 | 27.13B | May 2006 | IAU vs GDX | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 35 | 166.17M | Feb 2025 | IAU vs GBUG | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strateg... | 34 | 197.59M | Dec 2021 | IAU vs GDMN |
Top Performing IAU Alternatives (YTD)
IAU is at 2.98% YTD. There are 6 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 9.79%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 9.79% | 576.93M | Mar 2022 | IAU vs GDE | |
| Global X Gold Miners ETF | 3.40% | 7.69M | Dec 2025 | IAU vs AUAU | |
| VanEck Merk Gold Trust | 3.01% | 2.82B | May 2014 | IAU vs OUNZ | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 3.00% | 30.87B | Jun 2018 | IAU vs GLDM | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 3.00% | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | IAU vs IAUM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IAU
IAU has 26.42% 1-year volatility. There are 9 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.90%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 11.90% | 51.28M | Jan 2021 | IAU vs BGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 19.87% | 32.32M | Apr 2025 | IAU vs GLDY | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 20.31% | 462.95M | Jun 2025 | IAU vs IAUI | |
| FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 23.24% | 591.41M | Mar 2021 | IAU vs IGLD | |
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 26.31% | 7.18B | Jun 2021 | IAU vs IAUM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IAU
IAU has a 1-year max drawdown of -19.18%. There are 8 ETFs in the Gold category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -11.11%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -11.11% | 51.28M | Jan 2021 | IAU vs BGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | -13.43% | 32.32M | Apr 2025 | IAU vs GLDY | |
| FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -17.56% | 591.41M | Mar 2021 | IAU vs IGLD | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | -19.13% | 2.68B | Jul 2018 | IAU vs AAAU | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | -19.14% | 30.87B | Jun 2018 | IAU vs GLDM |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $855B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.51% | 91.90B | May 2020 | IAU vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -25.48% | 58.12B | Jan 2024 | IAU vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 70 | 10.85% | 854.92B | May 2000 | IAU vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 16 | -0.27% | 42.90B | Jul 2002 | IAU vs TLT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 97 | 104.57% | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | IAU vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 71 | 8.76% | 40.46B | Jun 2014 | IAU vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 47 | 2.78% | 36.82B | Apr 2006 | IAU vs SLV | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 62 | 17.07% | 80.93B | May 2000 | IAU vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 66 | 12.13% | 32.93B | Mar 2008 | IAU vs ACWI | |
| iShares U.S. Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 75 | 29.03% | 25.22B | May 2000 | IAU vs IYW |
Often Compared With IAU
Investors most often compare IAU with GLD, VOO, PHYS. These 17 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IAU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IAU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IAU with funds that move differently
iShares Gold Trust alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IAU.
Explore IAU Diversifiers