Best Gold ETFs to Buy in 2026: 5 Low-Cost Funds for Gold Exposure

Gold ETFs have returned to the spotlight in 2026 as bullion trades near historic highs and investors seek protection from currency weakness, fiscal uncertainty and volatile equity markets.

For investors who want gold exposure without storing physical bars or coins, exchange-traded products offer a simpler route. The largest funds hold physical bullion and generally move closely with the spot gold price, minus annual fees.

Gold's latest recovery has reinforced that demand. Recent gold prices have climbed sharply as the dollar weakened and investors reassessed interest-rate expectations.

But the major gold funds are not identical. Costs range from just 0.09% to 0.40%, while liquidity and fund size vary substantially.

Best Gold ETFs in 2026

Gold fundTickerAnnual feeBest foriShares Gold Trust MicroIAUM0.09%Lowest costSPDR Gold MiniSharesGLDM0.10%Low-cost long-term holdingGoldman Sachs Physical Gold ETFAAAU0.18%Cost and diversificationiShares Gold TrustIAU0.25%Size and lower feesSPDR Gold SharesGLD0.40%Liquidity and active trading

Fees based on current issuer disclosures.

IAUM and GLDM Lead on Cost

iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is the cheapest major physically backed option in this group. BlackRock currently lists a 0.09% sponsor fee, while net assets have grown to roughly $7.8 billion. Its objective is straightforward: track the price of gold bullion, less expenses.

For long-term investors, the difference in fees can accumulate over time. A $100,000 position would carry about $90 in annual fund fees at 0.09%, compared with roughly $400 at a 0.40% expense ratio, before considering trading costs.

SPDR Gold MiniShares (GLDM) is close behind at 0.10%. State Street created the fund as a lower-cost alternative to its flagship GLD product. GLDM had about $28 billion in assets by mid-2026, giving it substantially more scale than many smaller competitors.

GLD and IAU Offer Greater Scale and Liquidity

For investors prioritizing liquidity rather than the lowest possible fee, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) remains the dominant name.

GLD launched in 2004 and has grown into the world's largest physically backed gold exchange-traded product, with assets above $130 billion this summer. Its 0.40% expense ratio is much higher than IAUM or GLDM, but exceptionally deep trading liquidity can make GLD attractive to institutions and shorter-term traders.

iShares Gold Trust (IAU) occupies the middle ground. It charges 0.25% and held roughly $66 billion in assets as of Aug. 20. That gives investors considerable liquidity while costing materially less than GLD.

Gold's diversification appeal has also become more visible as its performance separates from other alternative assets.

AAAU Offers Another Low-Cost Alternative

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) charges 0.18%, putting it between GLDM and IAU on cost.

The fund holds allocated physical bullion and had roughly $2.4 billion in assets at the end of June, according to Goldman Sachs. Its smaller size means it does not match GLD's trading depth, but the lower fee may appeal to investors building longer-term positions.

Which gold ETF is best ultimately depends on the objective. IAUM and GLDM stand out for low fees; GLD leads on liquidity; IAU balances size and cost; AAAU offers another inexpensive physical-gold option.

Investors should also remember that gold itself produces no income. Its return depends primarily on changes in bullion prices, which remain sensitive to the dollar, real interest rates and safe-haven demand. Recent gold forecasts show how quickly that macro backdrop can change.