Best Gold and Silver ETFs of 2025

Gold and silver ETFs are outperforming the S&P 500 index. But do these precious metals deserve a place in your investment portfolio? We provide a list of the best precious metals ETFs by 2025 performance, as well as the benefits and risks that investors need to know before buying these funds. 

The best gold and silver ETFs of 2025 stand out due to exceptional performance, low expense ratios, and reliable tracking of precious metals’ prices. Here are the top options across global and key regional markets as of July 2025:

Best Gold ETFs of 2025

  • SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM)

    • 1-Year Return: 43.90%

    • Expense Ratio: 0.10%

    • Notes: Best performing gold ETF, tracks physical gold, high liquidity, and cost-effective for retail investors (12).

  • iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM)

    • 1-Year Return: 43.86%

    • Expense Ratio: 0.09%

    • Notes: Nearly matches GLDM in returns, with the lowest expense ratio among major gold ETFs (1).

  • abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL)

    • 1-Year Return: 43.81%

    • Expense Ratio: 0.17%

    • Notes: Holds physical gold, stable option for direct gold exposure (1).

  • GraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR)

    • 1-Year Return: 43.79%

    • Expense Ratio: 0.17%

    • Notes: Popular for low cost and strong 2025 performance  (1).

  • SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)

    • 1-Year Return: 38.56%

    • Assets Under Management: $101B+

    • Notes: Largest and most liquid gold ETF globally, directly tracks spot gold (23).

  • iShares Gold Trust (IAU)

    • 1-Year Return: 38.79%

    • AUM: $47B+

    • Notes: Reliable, cost-effective alternative for direct bullion exposure (2).

Best Silver ETFs of 2025

  • UTI Silver ETF

    • 2025 YTD Return: 32.84%

    • Notes: Top performing silver ETF; notable in Asia for physical tracking and best gains in 2025 (45).

  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Silver ETF

    • 2025 YTD Return: 31.8%+

    • Notes: Indian market leader; strong physical silver tracking  (45).

  • Axis Silver ETF

    • 2025 YTD Return: 31.8%+

    • Notes: Consistently high returns among Asian silver ETFs  (45).

  • abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR)

    • YTD Gain: 16.7% (as of March 2025)

    • Expense Ratio: 0.30%

    • Notes: Major US-listed physically backed silver ETF (6).

  • iShares Silver Trust (SLV)

    • YTD Gain: 16.6% (Mar 2025) | AUM: $14.9B

    • Expense Ratio: 0.50%

    • Notes: The largest and most traded US silver ETF; closely tracks silver spot prices (67).

  • Sprott Silver Miners and Physical Silver Fund

    • Total Return since Jan 2025: 24.98%

    • Notes: Combines silver miners and physical silver, new for 2025 with diversified exposure (8).

Additional Highly Ranked Gold/Silver ETFs (Global, Europe, Australia):

  • VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX): Offers leverage to gold prices via mining stocks (38.94% one-year return) (29).

  • WisdomTree Physical Gold / Invesco Physical Silver ETCs: Cheapest European physically backed options for direct precious metal exposure (1011).

  • Global X Physical Gold (ASX:GOLD), Perth Mint Gold (Australia): Leading physical gold ETFs for Asia-Pacific investors (129).

Key trends driving these performances:

  • Gold and silver prices hit record highs in H1 2025, driven by inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and central bank buying.

  • Silver outperformed gold on average, supported by both investment demand and industrial usage45.

  • Physically backed ETFs and those with low expense ratios are consistently the top performers globally (162).

When choosing, prioritize low-cost funds with high liquidity and strong tracking of physical bullion if your goal is pure metal exposure. Gold miner and silver miner ETFs offer leveraged returns but come with higher volatility.

These leading ETFs represent the top choices for gold and silver exposure worldwide as of July 2025.

Sources:

  1. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/best-gold-etfs
  2. https://www.investing.com/academy/etfs/top-gold-etfs/
  3. https://www.morningstar.com/funds/digging-gold-with-etfs
  4. https://www.angelone.in/news/silver-etfs-jump-30-percent-as-of-july-2025-as-metal-hits-all-time-high
  5. https://economictimes.com/mf/analysis/silver-etfs-jump-31-in-2025-as-metal-hits-all-time-high-should-you-bet-on-this-rally/articleshow/122856579.cms
  6. https://www.etf.com/sections/etf-basics/best-precious-metals-etfs-performance
  7. https://www.bullionstandard.com/blog/what-are-the-best-gold-and-silver-ETFs
  8. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/10-silver-etfs-every-investing-style-2025
  9. https://investingnews.com/top-asx-gold-etfs/
  10. https://www.justetf.com/en/how-to/silver-etfs.html
  11. https://www.justetf.com/en/how-to/gold-etfs.html
  12. https://blog.stockspot.com.au/best-gold-etfs/
  13. https://www.angelone.in/news/best-gold-etfs-in-india-in-august-2025
  14. https://etfdb.com/etfs/commodity/silver/
  15. https://www.justetf.com/en/market-overview/the-best-etfs.html
  16. https://www.etf.com/topics/silver
  17. https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-performing-etfs
  18. https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2025/Jul/27/best-ways-to-invest-in-gold-that-hit-record-highs-in-h1
  19. https://etfdb.com/etfs/commodity/gold/
  20. https://www.tipranks.com/compare-etfs/silver-etfs

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial, investment, or medical advice. The figures, rankings, and projections are based on publicly available data, company reports, financial analyst recommendations and industry estimates as of 2025. 

While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information, One Day Advisor and the article’s authors do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the content for any particular purpose. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently and consult qualified professionals before making any business, investment, or healthcare decisions based on the information provided.

The article may reference ongoing developments, regulatory actions, or market events that are subject to change. One Day Advisor is not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this information.


Related: 

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Top Bitcoin ETFs to Watch in 2025: Dominating Holdings, Low Fees, and Performance Insights

Top Silver ETFs 2025: What You Need to Know

Top 10 Investment Picks July 2025 — Multi-Asset Structured Overview with Recommended Weightings

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