anyways... both have ups and downs. like any investment..

I can throw 300 other curve balls into this thread to start any argument.. like physical silver is stupid buy mining stocks.. or buy precious metals certificates..

but...

Owning physical SILVER is the best way of investing. Sure you pay a few dollars above the spot price and shipping but the final return is what matters and you physically have the silver. ETF's are more suited for short term trading in huge quantities that would make shipping ridiculous.. I'm pretty sure none of us are fork lifting bricks. On the other hand physical silver is best suited for long term..

Silver ETF's downside is you don't even own the silver, you just own a part of a trust that stores and protects silver.
also you can't ever trade an ETF for physical silver so your just buying shares not owning silver at all...