The Best Gold ETFs: A Comprehensive Guide for Investors

For investors looking to gain exposure to gold without the hassle of storing physical bullion, gold ETFs (exchange-traded funds) offer a convenient and cost-effective solution. These funds track the price of gold and provide liquidity, transparency, and ease of trading through standard brokerage accounts. But with a growing list of options on the market, selecting the right gold ETF can be daunting.

This guide explores some of the top gold ETFs available today, comparing their expense ratios, custodianship structures, assets under management, and overall performance. We’ll also introduce a compelling alternative—OneGold—which offers a fresh approach to owning vaulted physical gold with the flexibility of a digital platform.

What Is a Gold ETF?

A gold ETF is a type of exchange-traded fund that aims to mirror the price movement of gold. Most commonly, these funds hold physical gold in secure vaults, and their share prices fluctuate in line with the price of gold. They are traded on public stock exchanges just like equities and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day.

Investors choose gold ETFs for various reasons:

• Portfolio diversification across asset classes

• Hedge against inflation or currency devaluation

• Tactical exposure to gold during market volatility

Gold ETFs can be physically backed or futures-based. The former tracks gold more closely, while the latter may experience deviation due to futures roll costs.

Comparison of the Best Gold ETFs

The table below summarizes the key features of the most popular gold ETFs.

Let’s dive deeper into each one.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)

Launched in 2004, GLD is the most widely recognized and traded gold ETF globally. It has deep liquidity and a long track record of closely tracking the spot price of gold. GLD holds physical bullion stored in HSBC vaults in London. However, its 0.40% expense ratio is among the highest in the category, which can compound significantly for long-term investors.

Pros:

• High liquidity

• Tight bid-ask spreads

• Strong reputation and trust factor

Cons:

• Higher expense ratio

• No physical redemption option for retail investors

iShares Gold Trust (IAU)

IAU is a lower-cost alternative to GLD, with an expense ratio of 0.25%. Managed by BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, IAU also holds physical gold in JPMorgan vaults. While it has a lower share price than GLD, making it more accessible for some investors, it may have slightly wider spreads.

Pros:

• Lower cost than GLD

• Trusted issuer in BlackRock

Cons:

• Slightly less liquid than GLD

Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL)

SGOL offers a unique value proposition by storing gold in Swiss vaults, which appeals to investors concerned about jurisdictional risk. It also boasts one of the lowest expense ratios at 0.17% and publishes serial numbers of its gold bars for added transparency.

Pros:

• Low cost

• Geopolitical diversification

• High transparency

Cons:

• Smaller asset base than GLD and IAU

VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ)

OUNZ differentiates itself by allowing investors to redeem their shares for physical gold, which can appeal to those who ultimately want possession. Its fee is in line with IAU at 0.25%, and it stores bullion with JPMorgan.

Pros:

• Redemption for physical gold

• Easy conversion from digital to physical ownership

Cons:

• Lower liquidity

• Physical delivery involves added fees and logistical complexity

GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR)

With an ultra-competitive fee of 0.17%, BAR has quickly become a favorite among cost-conscious investors. It stores its gold in London and has established a solid reputation for transparency and simplicity. Though smaller than GLD or IAU, BAR is growing steadily.

Pros:

• Among the lowest fees in the industry

• Strong custodial transparency

Cons:

• Smaller size could mean less liquidity in large trades

ETF Investing vs. Owning Physical Gold

Gold ETFs are undeniably convenient and efficient. But they also come with trade-offs:

• Counterparty risk: You rely on the custodian and fund structure.

• No physical access: Retail investors typically can’t redeem shares for actual gold (OUNZ being a rare exception).

• Long-term erosion: Annual expense ratios reduce returns over time, particularly in stagnant markets.

This is where platforms like OneGold offer a compelling solution.

OneGold: A Better Way to Own Gold

OneGold is a digital platform that allows investors to buy and hold fully allocated, vaulted physical gold, silver, and platinum. Created by industry leaders APMEX and Sprott, OneGold combines the accessibility of ETFs with the security of real metal ownership.

Why Consider OneGold Over ETFs?

• Lower Long-Term Costs: Annual storage fees are just 0.12% for gold—less than half the cost of GLD.

• Real Ownership: Assets are 100% allocated and held in top-tier vaults in North America, Europe, or Asia.

• Transparency: Holdings are independently audited and updated in real time.

• Redemption Flexibility: You can convert digital holdings to physical bullion at any time.

• Tax Efficiency: OneGold’s structure may offer more favorable tax treatment compared to many ETF products depending on the jurisdiction.

With OneGold, you own actual metal—not just a claim—and you can manage your investment 24/7 via an intuitive online dashboard.

Final Thoughts

Gold ETFs are a popular and accessible way to invest in gold, offering exposure to price movements without the logistical burden of storing physical metal. For many investors, they serve as a practical tool for diversification and inflation hedging. Leading options like GLD, IAU, SGOL, OUNZ, and BAR each have unique advantages based on cost, location, and structure.

However, for investors seeking long-term ownership of gold with lower costs, greater transparency, and true physical backing, OneGold presents an innovative and trustworthy alternative. It combines the best aspects of digital investing with the tangible security of vaulted metal—offering you complete control without compromise.