GOLD vs GLDN: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
GLDN comes out ahead on 3 of 5 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $15,114 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
GOLD vs GLDN side by side
| GOLD leads on 2, GLDN on 3 | GOLDGlobal X Physical Gold | GLDNiShares Physical Gold ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | See the PDS | See the PDS |
| Fund manager | Global X | iShares |
| Asset class | Commodities | Commodities |
| Listed | Mar 2003 | Nov 2023 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.40% | 0.18%✓ |
| AUMfund size | $5.8bn✓ | $458m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $33m✓ | $12m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −3.2% | −3.2% |
| 1 year | +1.7% | +1.8%✓ |
| 3 years p.a. | +27.0% | – |
| 5 years p.a. | +19.6% | – |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,171 | $10,180✓ |
| 5 years ago | $24,449 | – |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
GOLD vs GLDN price chart
Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
Only GOLD has a 5 years record: $10,000 then is worth $24,449 today.
Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
What the fees cost you
GLDN's lower fee leaves about $15,114 more in your pocket over 20 years.
Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.
GOLD and GLDN overlap
1 companies appear in both funds. Overlap is the share of the portfolio that is the same in both, counting the smaller weight of each shared company.
| Biggest shared holdings | % of GOLD | % of GLDN |
|---|---|---|
| 100.00% | 100.00% |
Add more ETFs and see the overlap in Compare ETFs →
Best-endeavours estimate. Built from each issuer's published holdings, which may be weeks or months old, may cover only part of a fund (some publish only their top 10) and are matched by company name. Figures may be incomplete or inaccurate. Check the issuer's website and PDS before relying on them. General information only.
Get the full GOLD vs GLDN report
- Every holding of each ETF: the top 50 companies, with sectors and countries
- Exactly which companies they share, and how much of each
- Fees in dollars over 10, 20 and 30 years
- Every metric side by side, including the index each tracks
- ★ FREE BONUSIs now a good time to invest? The Market Health-O-Meter
FAQs
Which is better, GOLD or GLDN?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers GOLD wins on 2 measures and GLDN on 3. GLDN is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.18% vs 0.40%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $15,114. GOLD is the larger fund at $5.8bn vs $458m. GLDN has the better 1-year return: +1.8% vs +1.7%.
Which is cheaper, GOLD or GLDN?
GOLD charges 0.40% a year and GLDN charges 0.18% a year.
Can I hold both GOLD and GLDN?
You can, but check how much they overlap. GOLD is a commodities fund and GLDN is a commodities fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.