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How to invest in gold for beginners in 2025
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Gold is the most popular commodity of all precious metals. Considered a safe and stable investment, gold has attracted investors for hundreds of years thanks to its effectiveness and safe haven status.
Investing in gold is a simple process and there are several ways to put your money into this popular commodity. This beginner’s guide takes you through the basics of how to invest in gold.
How can I invest in gold?
Copy link to sectionThere are several options available, ranging from investing in gold stocks to buying gold bars or coins. The right approach depends on your personal budget, risk tolerance, and timeline for seeing returns. Here’s a look at the various ways you can invest in gold online.
Invest in gold stocks
Copy link to sectionGold stocks are publicly traded companies involved in the exploration, mining, development, or production of gold. The best gold stocks offer an easy way for everyday investors to gain exposure to the yellow metal.
The value of companies involved in the gold industry generally tends to rise and fall in line with the price of the metal. This means you indirectly invest in gold by purchasing gold stocks and shares. Here’s a look at three of the top gold stocks to buy in 2025.
- Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: GOLD). When you buy Barrick Gold stock you’ll be investing in one of the world’s leading gold mining companies.
- Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM). Newmont Corporation is a century-old company that is also the world’s largest miner of gold.
- Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE: FNV). Franco-Nevada Corporation has royalties and streams on almost 300 royalties, many of which are in gold.
Invest in gold ETFs
Copy link to sectionIf you’re a beginner, the easiest way to start investing in gold is to buy exchange traded funds (ETFs). Gold ETFs are funds that invest in a range of gold assets. This could include gold stocks or gold futures contracts.
Investing in gold exchange traded funds is the best way to add gold to your portfolio, without having to directly invest in the metal yourself, or pick individual stocks. ETFs are usually also low cost compared to mutual funds, saving you money in the long run. Here are some of the top gold ETFs for 2025.
- Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (NYSEARCA: AAAU). The Goldman Sachs Gold ETF invests in physical gold bullion which is stored in London, UK.
- iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (NASDAQ: RING). This ETF from iShares invests in a collection of approximately 40 of the best gold mining companies.
- SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). SPDR is another ETF that invests in gold bullion. It has one of the lowest expense ratios of any gold exchange traded fund.
Invest in gold mutual funds
Copy link to sectionMutual funds operate in a similar way to exchange traded funds with the main difference being a fund manager decides what to invest in. There are different types of mutual funds for gold, although the main focus tends to be on holding physical bullion.
Gold mutual funds are an excellent choice for investors wanting to invest in gold while using the expertise of a professional. Fund managers often have specialist knowledge and advanced tools to help decide what to invest in.
- First Eagle Gold Fund (SGGDX). The First Eagle fund is a precious metals fund which means you’ll also have exposure to other commodities, although 80% is focused on gold.
- Gold & Special Minerals Fund (OPGSX). This mutual fund invests in companies engaged in exploring, mining, processing, or dealing and investing in gold and other precious metals.
- VanEck International Investors Gold Fund (INIVX). The VanEck gold mutual fund focuses on investing in common stocks of gold-mining companies.
Gold bars or coins
Copy link to sectionIf you want physical ownership of gold the best option is to invest in gold bars or coins. This gives you a tangible asset that you can store at home or in a secure facility like a vault. However, you should remember if you invest in gold bars or coins you’ll likely have other costs to consider, such as storage and insurance.
You can use our guide to learn how to buy gold bars and coins for a step by step breakdown explaining how to get started and find the best gold brokers to make your purchase.
How to invest in gold online – a step-by-step guide
Copy link to sectionInvesting in gold is a simple process. Before you begin, you’ll need to register with a trusted online broker to access the gold market. Follow the steps below to learn how to invest in gold.
Step 1. Open a gold investment account
Copy link to sectionChoose an online broker that offers a way to invest in the gold market. We recommend eToro as the best gold investing platform. You can invest in a range of gold stocks, gold ETFs, and gold mutual funds.
Step 2. Choose your gold investment vehicle
Copy link to sectionYou can invest in gold using various methods. Most investors prefer to invest in gold stocks, ETFs, or funds. You can also directly invest in gold through futures contracts or even physical bars or coins. Our guide below explains more about each option.
Step 3. Make your investment in gold
Copy link to sectionOnce you decide how to invest your money into gold, it’s time to make your investment. To do this, simply log into your online brokerage account and use the search bar to find your chosen investment. For example, if you’re planning to invest in a gold ETF, just type its name or ticker symbol and you’ll be taken to its trading page.
Fill out your order details on the trading page and hit the buy button. You’ll usually be able to decide how many shares you want to buy if using stocks, ETFs, or funds. Alternatively, you can enter a dollar amount and the brokerage platform will take care of the rest.
Step 4. Monitor your investments
Copy link to sectionRegularly review your investment portfolio and its performance. Keep an eye on the gold price to stay updated with the latest changes. If its price drops, you could use it as an opportunity to add to your investment. If it rises, you may want to consider taking some profit.
Where can I start investing in gold?
Copy link to sectionTo invest in gold, you need to register with a gold investing platform. These are the best gold investing platforms, ranked by our team of commodity experts according to their value for money, user experience, and security features.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Plus500
CFD service. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Why invest in gold?
Copy link to sectionInvesting in gold is a popular choice for investors for several reasons. Gold is often viewed as a safe haven asset thanks to its ability to hold value during volatile markets, inflationary periods, and fluctuating currencies.
Gold is also an excellent choice for investors seeking portfolio diversification and a hedge against economic uncertainties. Central banks and institutional investors hold significant gold reserves as a means of diversifying their foreign exchange holdings. The World Gold Council reports that demand for gold is rising and is expected to continue until at least 2030.
Is investing in gold safe?
Copy link to sectionYes, investing in gold is generally considered a safer option compared to many other asset classes, however, it is not entirely risk free. The price of gold can be volatile and is subject to fluctuations. Factors such as supply and demand dynamics, interest rates, and investor sentiment can quickly change prices.
Throughout history, gold has demonstrated resilience during periods of economic turmoil and market downturns. For example, in 2008, during the global financial crisis, the price of gold surged as investors sought a safe haven from the turbulent equity markets.
The best way to protect yourself when investing in gold is to use a trusted and regulated commodity trading platform. It’s also important to remember that the safety of gold investments depends on the investment vehicle you use. For example, investing in gold bullion has the risk of insurance and storage costs, while ETFs and stocks are subject to market fluctuations.
How much does gold investing cost?
Copy link to sectionIt depends on what method of investing you use. If you invest in gold bars and coins, you’ll pay a premium over the spot price to cover minting, distribution, and dealer costs. You’ll also have storage and insurance costs, which can add up to anywhere between 3% – 8% of your total purchase.
Exchange traded funds and stocks tend to be the cheapest way to invest in gold. Many of the best gold ETFs have expense ratios ranging between 0.4% – 0.6%. With stocks, you’ll have standard brokerage fees, which generally come in at around 1%.
Quick answers to key questions
Copy link to sectionDoes investing in gold provide income?
Copy link to sectionIt is possible to earn regular income by investing in gold, although it will depend on the investment vehicle you use. Gold itself does not directly generate income as it does not pay dividends or interest.
One approach to earning income from gold is to invest in gold mining stocks or exchange traded funds that own shares of mining companies. These companies often share profits with shareholders by way of dividends.
Another option is to use a lending or leading program. This is somewhat of a niche approach and not recommended for beginners. Some financial institutions and metals dealers offer programs allowing investors to earn interest or rental income by lending physical gold holdings to other parties like jewellers or manufacturers. There are several risks involved in this method.
How is gold priced?
Copy link to sectionGold is traded around the world and its price is determined by various factors impacting the global marketplace. The price of gold is typically quoted in U.S. dollars per troy ounce and is determined by various international exchanges and over-the-counter (OTC) markets.
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the COMEX (Commodity Exchange) division of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) are the two biggest exchanges that help set global gold prices.
Is gold a good investment during a recession?
Copy link to sectionYes, gold is considered an excellent choice for protection against economic recessions or market downturns. It’s a safe haven asset which means it tends to retain or even increase in value during difficult times. Investors often turn to gold as a defensive investment strategy during recessions, which further helps bolster its price.
Gold is also a hedge against inflation. Its value usually rises in tandem with rising inflation rates, protecting investors’ purchasing power. Gold is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio to help protect against recessions.
What is the best form of gold to invest in?
Copy link to sectionIt depends on your own investment goals, risk tolerance, and personal preference. Investing in gold bars or coins is a good choice if you want a tangible asset in your hands, but you need to remember storage and insurance fees can eat into profits.
Gold ETFs, stocks, and funds are usually the easiest way to invest in gold prices. These assets give indirect or direct exposure to the value of gold. Gold stocks are considered higher risk than funds, but have the potential to drive bigger returns.
Bottom line
Copy link to sectionInvesting in gold is an excellent way to diversify your investment portfolio while adding a layer of protection against economic downturns and recessionary periods. With so many options available, there’s a way to invest in gold for everyone. As we’ve discussed in this guide, ETFs and funds are usually the easiest and cheapest ways to invest in gold.
If you’re an investor wanting a tangible asset, gold provides an option through bullion bars and coins. Although gold is generally been a safe investment throughout history, you should always remember the risks involved and be prepared for some volatility along the way.