Top Silver ETFs to Watch in 2025: Best Picks for Strong Returns and Low Costs

Along with gold, silver is in high demand as precious metals are highly sought after as safe havens in uncertain economic environments, boosting prices and assets for top silver ETFs like the iShares Silver Trust (SLV).

Investors use silver ETFs for various purposes. Other than its safe-haven benefits, some invest for speculative reasons, hoping to profit from potential increases in silver prices or as a hedge against geopolitical turmoil or currency devaluation.

Keep reading to learn more about investing in silver and see a list of top ETFs investing in the precious metal.

 

What Are Silver ETFs? 

Silver ETFs are exchange-traded funds that provide exposure to the price of silver, a precious metal. These ETFs are designed to track the performance of silver prices, making it easier for investors to gain exposure to the silver market without physically owning and storing the metal itself.

Silver's unique combination of properties, including its electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, reflectivity and antibacterial qualities, makes it a valuable material in various industries and applications.

Again, one of the advantages of investing in silver ETFs is that investors don't need to worry about storing and securing physical silver themselves. The ETF provider takes care of storage and custody in secure vaults, which can be a cost-effective and convenient way to invest in silver.

 

Types of Silver ETFs 

There are several types of silver ETFs available to investors, each with its own investment approach and characteristics.

• Physical silver ETFs: These ETFs hold physical silver bullion or coins in secure storage facilities. Each share of the ETF represents ownership of a certain amount of physical silver. Physical silver ETFs aim to closely track the spot price of silver.
• Silver futures ETFs: These ETFs invest in silver futures contracts rather than physical silver. They can provide exposure to silver price movements without the need for physical storage.
• Silver-mining ETFs: These ETFs invest in companies involved in the mining and production of silver. While not directly linked to the price of silver, the performance of silver-mining ETFs is influenced by factors such as production costs, exploration success and overall demand for silver.
• Leveraged and inverse silver ETFs: These ETFs use derivatives to provide leveraged (e.g., 2x or 3x) or inverse (e.g., -1x) exposure to the daily movements of silver prices. Leveraged ETFs aim to amplify gains or losses, making them suitable for experienced traders with high risk tolerance looking to capitalize on short-term price movements. 

List of Top Silver ETFs

As of July 2025, the top silver ETFs are delivering strong returns, driven by a global rally in silver prices which have hit all-time highs. Key highlights include:

• iShares Silver Trust (SLV): Approximately 16.6% return year-to-date, the largest U.S. silver ETF with $14.9B assets under management and a 0.50% expense ratio.

• abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR): About 16.7% year-to-date return, U.S.-listed, physically backed with a 0.30% expense ratio with $1.5B assets under management (AUM).

• UTI Silver ETF: Leading with a 32.84% return year-to-date, popular in Asia for physical silver exposure.

• Aditya Birla Sun Life Silver ETF: Around 31.9% return, known for reliable physical silver tracking, favored in India.

• Axis Silver ETF: Close to 31.8% return, consistently strong performer.

• ICICI Prudential Silver ETF, Mirae Asset Silver ETF, DSP Silver ETF, HDFC Silver ETF: All with returns around 31.7% to 31.9%, well-regarded Indian market silver ETFs.

• Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver Fund: A newer combined physical and miner exposure ETF with nearly 25% return since inception in 2025 and a 0.65% fee.

These silver ETFs have benefited from silver price gains hitting all-time highs in 2025 amid geopolitical tensions, tariff concerns, and robust industrial demand. Indian silver ETFs particularly stand out with above 30% returns, reflecting strong physical silver demand in that region.

Silver ETFs overall have outpaced gold ETFs in 2025, with an average return of about 31% reflecting silver's dual role as a precious and industrial metal amid geopolitical uncertainty and tariff concerns.

Pros & Cons of Investing in Silver ETFs 

Investing in silver ETFs offers various advantages and disadvantages, depending on an investor’s goals, risk tolerance and overall financial strategy. Here are some of the pros and cons of investing in silver ETFs. 

Pros of Investing in Silver ETFs 

• Accessibility: Silver ETFs provide an accessible and convenient way for investors to gain exposure to the price of silver without the need to physically buy, store or transport the metal. 
• Liquidity: Silver ETFs are traded on stock exchanges, making them highly liquid investments. You can buy and sell shares during regular trading hours, allowing for flexibility in managing your investment. 
• Diversification: Many silver ETFs hold a diversified portfolio of silver assets, which can help spread risk. This diversification can be especially beneficial compared to owning a single silver item or coin. 
• Lower costs: Silver ETFs often have lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds or owning physical silver. This can result in cost savings for investors over time. 
• Transparency: ETFs provide transparency into their holdings, allowing investors to know exactly what they own within the fund. 
• No storage costs: When you invest in a physical silver ETF, you don't need to worry about storage costs or the security of physical silver, which can be a concern for those who buy and hold physical metals. 

Cons of Investing in Silver ETFs 

• Market risk: The performance of silver ETFs is closely tied to the price of silver, which can be volatile. Economic conditions, industrial demand, currency movements and geopolitical events can all impact silver prices. 
• Tracking error: Silver ETFs aim to track the price of silver, but they may not perfectly mirror the spot price due to factors like tracking error or the use of derivatives. This can result in discrepancies between the ETF's performance and the actual price of silver. 
• Lack of income: Most silver ETFs do not generate income through dividends or interest. Investors rely on capital appreciation driven by silver price movements, which may not provide regular income. 
• Taxation: Silver ETFs are considered to be investments in a precious metal, which means that gains may be taxed as a collectible and are subject to up to a 31.8% long-term capital gains rate. Silver ETFs held in tax-advantaged accounts, such as IRAs, are not subject to this tax. 
• Not a physical asset: While some investors prefer the tangibility of owning physical silver, investing in silver ETFs represents ownership in a financial instrument rather than a physical asset. 

2025 Market Outlook for Silver 

​The silver market in 2025 presents a compelling outlook, driven by robust industrial demand, persistent supply deficits and heightened investor interest amid global economic uncertainties.

Silver's industrial applications are experiencing significant growth, particularly in the renewable energy and automotive sectors. 

Despite a forecasted 3% increase in global silver supply. This imbalance underscores the tightening nature of the silver market. 

The precious metal also continues to attract investors seeking a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

Bottom Line on Investing in Silver ETFs 

Investing in silver ETFs is a way to gain exposure to the silver market with ease and liquidity. Silver prices can be influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, industrial demand, currency movements, geopolitical events and investor sentiment. Therefore, investing in silver ETFs carries market risk and, like all investments, it's important to conduct thorough research and consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance before investing in them. 

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect current market conditions.

Sources: 

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