5 Best Places to Buy Gold & Silver (dealers and companies)

Are you new to investing and looking for the best place to buy gold? Gold is at a record high, up 40% since 2024.

You want to choose the right gold dealer to get the highest return on your investment. This guide leverages years of experience analyzing financial companies to help you find the right company to work with.

Goldco came out ahead as our best overall pick. It offers high customer satisfaction, an excellent buyback policy, and a transparent investing process.

While some dealers may offer more tools and resources, Goldco is the all-around best pick for the average investor.

Use this guide to compare dealers to find the best one for your investment goals.

Methodology

To identify the best gold dealers, we looked at each company’s fee structure, product offerings, reputation, buyback policy, educational resources, ease of access, customer experience, accreditations, and storage or shipping options. We consulted multiple sources, to ensure a comprehensive assessment. We scored all of the criteria out of 10, allowing us to rank dealers objectively for investors seeking reliable options.

Goldco – Editors’ Choice

Founded in 2006, Goldco is a leading gold IRA provider endorsed by figures like Chuck Norris. The company stands out for having a good reputation in the industry and providing excellent customer service.

While you can’t purchase online, Goldco’s hands-on support and high buyback guarantee make it an ideal choice for traditional investors who prioritize safety and personalized service.

Editors’ opinion

Goldco is one of the highest-rated gold IRA companies on the market, offering a strong buyback policy and has a trustworthy track record with its customers. Goldco scores 9.5/10.

Fees & Minimums

• IRA Setup Fee: $50
• Annual Custodian Fee: $125
• Storage Fees: $100 (non-segregated) or $150 (segregated)
• Wire Transfer Fee: $30
• Minimum IRA Investment: $0
• Minimum for Direct Purchase: $0

BBB Rating

Goldco has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2011. It has a 4.83-star rating from 1,204 customers.

Pros & Cons

Goldco is best suited for investors who want to hedge against inflation by holding physical gold or silver in a tax-advantaged retirement account.

It’s a great fit for those with at least $25,000 to invest and who value personal service over online automation.

Why we chose Goldco

• Trustworthy: Goldco consistently earns high ratings from customers on BBB, Trustpilot, and Google.
• Promotional offers: Investors can earn free silver with qualifying IRA investments
• Buyback confidence: Goldco offers the highest buyback guarantee in the industry, giving investors peace of mind that they can liquidate their investments when they need to.

APMEX – Most reputable

With over two decades of experience and millions of ounces sold to investors, APMEX is one of the industry’s most established online precious metals dealers.

It’s easy to use, has flexible purchase options, and caters to both investors and collectors. That said, some investors have raised concerns around shipping and customer service issues.

Editors’ opinion

APMEX is one of the most well-known online precious metals dealers offering a wide product selection, a user-friendly site, and transparent pricing. APMEX scores 8.7/10.

Fees & Minimums

• Minimum Order: No minimum order but there may be minimum purchasing requirements depending on payment method
• Shipping Fee: $9.95 for orders under $199
• Cancelled Order Fee: $50 or 5% of order total
• Payment Surcharge: 4% for credit card, PayPal, or crypto
• Storage: Optional via Citadel Global Depository Services

BBB Rating

APMEX has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2004. It has a 4.37-star rating from 249 customers.

Pros & Cons

APMEX is best for investors and collectors who want a reliable online marketplace to buy gold, silver, and other precious metals.

Its easy-to-use platform, large inventory, and flexible payment options make it a go-to choice for investors who want to manage their own investments.

Why we chose APMEX

• Established reputation: APMEX has been in the business for more than two decades, serving millions of customers.
• Flexible purchase options: There is no minimum purchase requirement and APMEX offers several payment methods including crypto.
• Wide product range: Products available for purchase include bullion, numismatic coins, collectibles, and jewelry.

JM Bullion – Best customer service

JM Bullion is a respected online precious metals dealer that offers competitive pricing, a wide inventory selection, and highly-valued customer service.

It’s one of the best options for U.S. investors looking for an easy, trustworthy buying process.

Editors’ opinion

JM Bullion is a trusted precious metals dealer with a good industry reputation, excellent customer reviews, and reliable service. JM Bullion scores 8.5/10.

Fees & Minimums

• Minimum Order: $0
• Shipping Fee: $7.99 on orders less than $199
• Buyback Program: Available, but pricing not transparent
• Payment Surcharge: 4% for PayPal, crypto, or credit/debit cards
• Gold IRA Minimum Order: $100

BBB Rating

JM Bullion has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2014. It has a 4.64-star rating from 404 customers.

Pros & Cons

JM Bullion is best for first-time and repeat buyers who want an easy shopping experience and access to customer support if needed.

Its wide product selection, competitive prices, and strong customer support make it ideal for anyone building or diversifying their precious metals portfolio.

Why we chose JM Bullion

• Exceptional customer service: Highly rated across BBB, Trustpilot, and Google with expert, knowledgeable support staff.
• Beginner-friendly: Easy-to-use site and a library of educational resources are available to help you make informed decisions.
• Industry reputation: JM Bullion has done over $11 billion in sales and brings decades of precious metals investing experience.

Noble Gold Investments – Best pricing

Noble Gold Investments has some of the best pricing in the market. The company offers personalized support and gives investors access to at-home storage options through their survival packs.

It’s a good option for investors who want an affordable way to add precious metals to their portfolio.

Editors’ opinion

Noble Gold Investments offers one of the most affordable gold IRA options in the industry with excellent customer support and a no-questions-asked buyback policy. Noble Gold scores 9.2/10.

Fees & Minimums

• Minimum IRA Investment: $2,000
• Minimum Cash Purchase: $5,000
• IRA Setup Fee: $50
• Annual Custodian Fee: $80
• Annual Storage Fee: $150 (segregated storage)
• Wire Transfer Fee: $30

BBB Rating

Noble Gold Investments has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2017. It has a 4.97-star rating from 208 customers.

Pros & Cons

Noble Gold is best for investors who want to safeguard their savings against inflation with physical precious metals.

Its low fees, survival packs, and easy liquidation options make it ideal for investors who want more stability in their portfolio or access to gold that can be liquidated during an emergency.

Why we chose Noble Gold Investments

• Affordability: Noble Gold offers some of the lowest fees in the industry, making it a low-cost option for investors.
• Liquidation options: Noble Gold has a guaranteed buyback policy and offers at-home storage through its emergency survival packs.
• Customer-first approach: Customer service and account set up is designed with the investor in mind to make it as easy as possible.

Augusta Precious Metals – Best for Gold IRAs

Augusta Precious Metals offers gold IRA investors an educational library and lifetime account support.

While the $50,000 minimum investment requirement may not be accessible for all investors, its gold IRA is one of the most highly rated options in the industry.

Editors’ opinion

Augusta Precious Metals has a strong reputation as an industry-leading IRA provider with lifetime customer support, transparent pricing, and good educational resources. Augusta Precious Metals scores 9/10.

Fees & Minimums

• Minimum IRA Investment: $50,000
• IRA Setup Fee: $50
• Wire Transfer Fee: $30
• Annual Custodian Fee: $100
• Annual Storage Fee: $100

Pros & Cons

Augusta Precious Metals is ideal for first-time gold IRA investors who want personalized guidance, educational support, and a stress-free account setup process.

It’s best suited for those with larger portfolios who value a white-glove experience.

Why we chose Augusta Precious Metals

• Best-in-class education: Augusta Precious Metals offers one-on-one consultations and educational sessions with Harvard-trained economists to help you understand how to invest in gold.
• Lifetime support: Every investor receives ongoing support, from account setup through retirement.
• Low pressure: August Precious Metals doesn’t push specific products or engage in high-pressure sales tactics.

Gold Buyers Guide

Gold and silver are trusted stores of value that have stood the test of time. They give you a way to hedge against inflation and protect your wealth during times of economic uncertainty.

Precious metals like gold and silver are considered alternative investments. They respond to market conditions differently than traditional assets like stocks and bonds. 

Gold and silver are tangible assets. You can buy them in their physical form as coins, bars, or rounds. You can also invest in them through IRAs, ETFs, or other gold or silver-backed products.

Because they can be stored outside the financial system and accessed in emergencies, they offer stability and diversification you won’t find with stocks and bonds. 

If you’re buying gold or silver for the first time, it’s important to understand what types of products you can buy, how pricing works, and where you can buy precious metals in the first place. 

Precious metals dealers like the ones listed above charge a premium. Markups that vary between dealers.

Compare prices and ask about either fees and buyback policies. Just because someone sells you gold, doesn’t mean they’ll buy it back when you’re ready to liquidate it.

Types of Gold and Silver You Can Buy

There are a lot of precious metals products you can choose from. Some products are more liquid meaning they are easily bought and sold and are approved for storage in a precious metals IRA.

Others are designed for collectors and may be difficult to liquidate.

• IRA-Eligible Coins: these are minted by government mints like the Royal Canadian Mint and include coins like the American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf. With few exceptions, gold coins must be made of at least 99.5% pure gold while silver coins must be made of 99.9% pure silver.
• Gold and Silver Bars: these are produced by private mints like PAMP Suisse and Valcambi. Bars usually have lower premiums than coins which can make them a better return on investment, but lack the collectible value of some coins like the Chinese Panda.  

• Numismatic Coins: these are collectible coins whose value vary based on age, condition, and rarity. The St. Gaudens coin is an example of a rare coin sought after by investors. These coins are not eligible for inclusion in an IRA and liquidity can vary based on demand for the coin.
• Rounds: these are coins that are produced for investors and collectors but aren’t legal tender. They are common with silver investors and can come with lower premiums, increasing the value of your investment.

Before making a purchase, figure out what your investing goals are. Do you want to save for retirement, hedge against inflation, or start a collection?

Some gold or silver products may be better depending on your goals.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Owning Gold and Silver

Like any investment, buying gold and silver comes with benefits and risks. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Benefits

• Inflation hedge: Gold and silver retain value as fiat currencies lose purchasing power over time.
• Crisis protection: Gold can be accessed in emergencies and may be of greater value than fiat currencies.
• Portfolio diversification: Gold and silver aren’t correlated with traditional assets like stocks and bonds which can offer protection when markets are done.
• Tax benefits: Some gold and silver products can be held in self-directed IRAs, benefitting from some of the same tax advantages as traditional retirement accounts.

Drawbacks

• No income generation: Unlike stocks, bonds, or real estate, precious metals don’t generate interest or earn dividends.
  Premiums and fees: Buying physical metals involves extra costs like markups and storage fees that can eat into your overall returns.
• Storage and security: You can’t keep gold intended for an IRA in a home safe so you’ll need to pay a third-party custodian and depository to hold onto your gold for you.
• Price volatility: While gold and silver have proven to be stable long-term investments they are volatile, resulting in short-term price fluctuations.

Evaluate your financial goals and develop a strategy for how you’d like to incorporate gold and silver into your portfolio. 

Use this guide as a resource to learn more about what to buy, how it’s priced, and how it aligns with your broader financial goals.

You’ll want to choose the right types of precious metals to invest in and the right dealer to buy from.

Conclusion: How to Pick the Best Gold Dealer

Choosing the best place to buy gold and silver largely depends on your investment goals, budget, and preferred level of support. 

Some companies offer low fees and flexible purchase options so that you can manage your portfolio yourself. Others offer in-depth education and lifetime customer support. 

Goldco stands out as our top choice. It offers a strong combination of reliability, high customer satisfaction, and one of the best buyback guarantees in the industry.

It offers competitively priced gold IRAs and a personalized onboarding process. What works for one investor might not work for you.

Evaluate each dealer to find one that aligns with your goals. Decide what you’re buying for and compare dealers based on fees, service, and storage options.

Then choose the right dealer for you.

FAQs