List of Top Silver ETFs to Invest in 2025
With investors looking for means of diversifying their portfolios as well as against inflation, commodities like silver have gained even more popularity. While gold has always been the central theme in discussions around precious metals, silver offers a fascinating opportunity since it fulfills the dual function of a store of value and an industrial metal.

A clever and cost-effective method of getting exposure to silver without actually owning and holding it is through investing in Silver Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). These funds follow the price of silver or the performance of silver mining stocks, providing investors with an easy means of accessing the silver market.

Following is a close examination of the top Silver ETFs to invest in 2025, as well as their characteristics and benefits.

Top Silver ETFs to Invest in 2025
1. iShares Silver Trust (SLV)
Issuer: iShares (BlackRock)

Assets Under Management (AUM): More than $11 billion

Expense Ratio: 0.50%

Fund Type: Physical Silver-backed ETF

Summary: SLV is the world’s most widely traded silver ETF, offering exposure to the silver bullion price. It maintains physical silver in protected vaults and is for those investors wanting direct correlation with the spot price of silver.

Why Invest: Low liquidity risk, solid record, and reliable management make it attractive to retail as well as institutional investors.

2. Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR)
Issuer: abrdn (previously known as Aberdeen Standard Investments)

AUM: About $1 billion

Expense Ratio: 0.30%

Fund Type: Physical Silver-backed ETF

Summary: SIVR is structured similarly to SLV but has a lower expense ratio. It’s an economical choice for those seeking exposure to silver prices through physical holdings.

Why Invest: Low fees and secure physical backing make it a good long-term choice.

3. Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL)
Issuer: Global X

AUM: Around $1.3 billion

Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Fund Type: Equity-based ETF

Summary: SIL invests in international companies engaged in silver mining. Although it doesn’t have direct exposure to silver prices, it offers leveraged exposure to silver performance through the profitability of mining companies.

Why Invest: Suitable for investors seeking growth and ready to take on greater volatility.

4. ETFMG Prime Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ)
Issuer: ETFMG

AUM: Around $700 million

Expense Ratio: 0.69%

Fund Type: Equity-based ETF

Summary: SILJ invests in small- and mid-cap silver mining stocks, which are generally called “junior miners.” They tend to have more risk but also come with high potential for growth.

Why Invest: Best for aggressive investors who look for high return and exposure to upcoming silver firms.

5. Invesco DB Silver Fund (DBS)
Issuer: Invesco

AUM: Around $80 million

Expense Ratio: 0.75%

Fund Type: Futures-backed ETF

Summary: DBS invests in silver futures contracts, not physical silver or mining stocks. It is better for tactical investors with a short- to medium-term view.

Why Invest: Offers flexibility and an alternative path to bet on short-term silver price fluctuations.

Advantages of Investing in Silver ETFs
Diversification
Silver ETFs enable investors to diversify their portfolio outside equities and bonds.

Liquidity
Being listed on major stock exchanges, Silver ETFs have high liquidity.

No Storage Hassle
Investing in a silver ETF obviates the requirement for physical security and storage.

Inflation Hedge
Silver is used as an inflation hedge and a hedge against currency devaluation.

Industrial Demand
Silver is extensively used in industries like electronics, solar power, and medical devices, providing a growth dimension to its investment attractiveness.

Things to Keep in Mind
Volatility: Silver prices are more volatile than gold because of industrial demand variations.

Expense Ratio: Lower fees translate to higher net returns in the long run.

Exposure Type: Opt for physical silver-backed ETFs, mining equity-based ETFs, or futures-based ETFs.

Tracking Accuracy: Certain ETFs can have minor discrepancies from spot prices.

Taxation: Consider tax implications depending on your location of residence.

Silver ETFs in India
For Indian investors, direct exposure to foreign-exchange-listed silver ETFs might be restricted by regulatory conditions. But some India-listed silver ETFs replicate the domestic price of silver:

ICICI Prudential Silver ETF

Nippon India Silver ETF

HDFC Silver ETF

Aditya Birla Sun Life Silver ETF

These funds offer silver exposure in INR and are underpinned by physical holdings held domestically. Indian investors can invest using mutual fund platforms or Demat accounts.

FAQs: Top Silver ETFs to Invest
1. What is a Silver ETF?
A Silver ETF is an investment fund that holds actual silver, buys silver mining stocks, or employs futures contracts in order to track the silver price performance. It is listed on the stock exchange just like any other stock.

2. Are Silver ETFs superior to buying physical silver?
Silver ETFs are more convenient, liquid, and cheaper than purchasing and holding physical silver. Yet, physical silver may be attractive to those looking for tangible holdings for long-term security.

3. What is the safest Silver ETF?
Both iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) are among the safest because they have physical silver backing and well-respected management.

4. How do Silver ETFs perform during inflation?
Silver usually fares well in inflationary times because it acts as a hedge against devaluing currency. Silver ETFs may gain in such macroeconomic times.

5. Is it possible to invest in Silver ETFs in India?
Yes, investors in India can invest in silver via SEBI-approved domestic silver ETFs like ICICI Prudential Silver ETF, Nippon India Silver ETF, etc.

6. Do Silver ETFs distribute dividends?
Physical silver-backed ETFs don’t usually provide dividends. Yet, silver mining ETFs such as SIL or SILJ may provide dividends subject to the earning of the underlying companies.

7. Are Silver ETFs a good choice for long-term investment?
Yes, particularly physical silver ETFs such as SLV and SIVR, which are good choices for long-term portfolio diversification and hedging.

Conclusion
Silver ETFs are an efficient and versatile means to expose yourself to the silver market. Whether seeking stability in the form of physical silver, explosive growth through mining stocks, or short-term speculation through futures, there’s a silver ETF to match your investment approach. As demand for silver increases around the world with the green energy boom and economic unpredictability, an investment in silver ETFs might be a shrewd strategy in 2025 and later.