ETF Comparison
GLD vs SLV: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of SPDR Gold Shares and iShares Silver Trust covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| GLD | SLV | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | SPDR Gold Shares | iShares Silver Trust |
| Issuer | State Street | BlackRock |
| Price | $437.82 | $68.14 |
| Distribution yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Expense ratio | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| AUM | $184.9B | $46.2B |
| Distribution frequency | None | None |
| Underlying index | Gold bullion spot price | Silver bullion spot price |
| Objective | Reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. | Reflect the performance of the price of silver bullion less trust expenses. |
| Asset class | Commodity | Commodity |
| Inception date | 11/18/2004 | 04/21/2006 |
| Beta | 0.67 | 2.0 |
| Last dividend | — | — |
| Ex-dividend date | — | — |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both popular none-pay reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
GLD is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.40% compared to 0.50%.
They track different benchmarks: GLD is linked to Gold bullion spot price while SLV tracks Silver bullion spot price, which means their performance drivers differ.
GLD is the larger fund by assets ($184.9B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, GLD would generate roughly $0.00/month while SLV would produce $0.00/month at current distribution rates. Both pay none distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, GLD would cost approximately $400 in fees vs $500 for SLV (simplified, not compounded). The $100.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
GLD tracks Gold bullion spot price with a reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. approach, while SLV tracks Silver bullion spot price using a reflect the performance of the price of silver bullion less trust expenses. strategy. Beta is 0.67 for GLD and 2.0 for SLV, indicating GLD is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
GLD is managed by State Street (launched 11/18/2004) with $184.9B in assets. SLV is managed by BlackRock (launched 04/21/2006) with $46.2B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is GLD or SLV better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. GLD currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between GLD and SLV?
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) tracks Gold bullion spot price with a reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. strategy, while SLV (iShares Silver Trust) tracks Silver bullion spot price with a reflect the performance of the price of silver bullion less trust expenses. approach. They are issued by State Street and BlackRock respectively.
Can I hold both GLD and SLV?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, GLD or SLV?
GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40% while SLV charges 0.50%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in GLD vs SLV generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in GLD would generate roughly $0.00 per month ($0.00 annually). The same in SLV would produce about $0.00 per month ($0.00 annually).
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