abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) 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 SGOL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SGOL
SGOL charges 0.17% annually. There are 3 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% | 6.41B | Jun 2021 | SGOL vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | SGOL vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 415.33M | Jun 2022 | SGOL vs FGDL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.37B | Aug 2017 | SGOL vs BAR | |
| Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | 0.18% | 2.45B | Jul 2018 | SGOL vs AAAU |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SGOL
SGOL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 25. There are 12 ETFs in the Gold category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 38.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 38 | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | SGOL vs GDE | |
| Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 38 | 279.82M | Mar 2015 | SGOL vs SGDJ | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 34 | 141.74M | Feb 2025 | SGOL vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 33 | 107.26M | Nov 2010 | SGOL vs GOEX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 32 | 2.29B | Jan 2012 | SGOL vs RING |
Top Performing SGOL Alternatives (YTD)
SGOL is at -5.96% YTD. There are 5 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.33%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 4.33% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | SGOL vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 1.11% | 113.41M | Dec 2008 | SGOL vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 0.89% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | SGOL vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -4.15% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | SGOL vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -5.14% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | SGOL vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SGOL
SGOL has 27.64% 1-year volatility. There are 6 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.67%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.67% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | SGOL vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.47% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | SGOL vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.82% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | SGOL vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.88% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | SGOL vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 25.04% | 25.43M | Apr 2025 | SGOL vs GOLI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SGOL
SGOL has a 1-year max drawdown of -26.16%. There are 11 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% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | SGOL vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | SGOL vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | SGOL vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | SGOL vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | SGOL vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from abrdn
The 6 most viewed abrdn ETFs shown here include SIVR, GLTR, PPLT and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $4B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF | Silver, Precious Metals | 29 | -18.86% | 3.97B | Jul 2009 | SGOL vs SIVR | |
| abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | Precious Metals | 24 | -11.54% | 2.48B | Oct 2010 | SGOL vs GLTR | |
| abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF | Precious Metals, Metals | 18 | -18.52% | 1.84B | Jan 2010 | SGOL vs PPLT | |
| abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Active ETF | Municipal Bonds | — | 1.32% | 53.16M | Oct 2025 | SGOL vs AMUN | |
| abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF | Emerging Markets Equities | 75 | 24.85% | 356.48M | Feb 2025 | SGOL vs AGEM | |
| abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF | Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities | — | 4.51% | 78.74M | Oct 2025 | SGOL vs ASCI |
Often Compared With SGOL
Investors most often compare SGOL with GLD, IAU, PHYS. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SGOL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SGOL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SGOL with funds that move differently
abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SGOL.
Explore SGOL Diversifiers