APMEX vs Money Metals: which is better?
Choose APMEX if you want a huge range, a 4% wire discount, a published Gold Eagle price (5.45% over spot by wire on October 10, 2026) or delivery abroad. Choose Money Metals if you want a monthly buying plan or to store a small holding cheaply: its vault costs a flat $96 a year up to $15,999.
These two dealers look alike from a distance: both are private, both have an A+ from the BBB and both ship free from $199. The real differences sit in four places: how you pay, where your metal is stored, how you sell back and how much choice you get. This page lines them up using what we verified for our full APMEX review and Money Metals Exchange review.
How do APMEX and Money Metals compare side by side?
| Feature | APMEX | Money Metals Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Based in | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Eagle, Idaho |
| Trading since | 2000 (website 2004) | 2010 |
| Ownership | Part of MKS PAMP Group since 2023 (stake not disclosed) | Private; founder Stefan Gleason is President and CEO |
| 1 oz Gold Eagle, wire | $4,424.29 (5.45% over spot) | Not published: site does not allow automated price checks |
| Card cost | Full list price; wire, check and eCheck get 4% off | 3.9% card charge in Monthly Program terms |
| Shipping | Free over $199; $9.95 below | Free on $199+ |
| Cancel an order? | Market loss policy applies | Orders cannot be canceled |
| Storage | Citadel in Brink's facilities: 0.55% a year, $15 a month minimum | Own depository: $96 a year up to $15,999, then 0.39% to 0.59% |
| Buyback prices | Quote on request | Live "Sell to Us" price on product pages |
| Monthly buying plan | Not covered in our review | Yes, the Monthly Program |
| Ships abroad | 33 countries, buyer pays duties | Not mentioned |
| BBB | A+, accredited since 2004 | A+, accredited since 2011 |
| Trustpilot | 4.4 from 10,241 reviews (Oct 2026) | 4.5 from 461 reviews (Oct 2026) |
Which one charges less for gold?
Every dealer sells at the spot price, the live market price of an ounce of gold, plus a premium, its markup. Our automated check captured the most popular US coin at APMEX, but Money Metals' site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it.
| Dealer | Check or wire | Premium | Card | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APMEX | $4,424.29 | 5.45% | $4,608.64 | 9.84% |
| Money Metals Exchange | Not shown: its site does not allow automated price checks | |||
| SD Bullion (for reference) | $4,335.39 | 3.33% | $4,516.03 | 7.64% |
GoldVetted price check, 10 October 2026, captured with the gold market closed. Spot from gold-api.com. Premium = price / (fine gold oz x spot) - 1. Later checks are on the premium tracker.
What we can say: APMEX was not the cheapest dealer in that check. SD Bullion was $88.90 lower on the same coin by wire. If price is your main concern, open the same coin at APMEX and Money Metals on the same day, choose wire at both, and compare the final total including any fees. The premium calculator turns a price into a percentage over spot.
What does paying by card cost at each?
Both dealers reward bank wire. They just describe it differently. APMEX shows a lower "check or wire" price, 4% below its list price, so a card costs about 4.17% more (on the Eagle above, $184.35). Money Metals adds a charge to card payments instead: 3.9% in its current Monthly Program agreement, and 4% on regular orders in a 2020 article on its own site. On a $4,400 coin, 3.9% is about $172.
The practical result is similar. If you can pay by wire, do. If you must use a card for the rewards, work out whether your card's cash back beats a 4% charge. It rarely does.
Who has cheaper storage?
Storage is the clearest difference. APMEX's Citadel arm holds metal fully allocated and segregated (your exact bars and coins, kept apart) in Brink's facilities at 0.55% a year, with a $15 monthly minimum. Money Metals runs its own segregated depository in Eagle, Idaho, opened in 2024, with a flat fee for small holdings and falling percentages for larger ones.
| Value stored | APMEX Citadel | Money Metals Depository | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $180 (minimum) | $96 | Money Metals |
| $25,000 | $180 (minimum) | $147.50 (0.59%) | Money Metals |
| $50,000 | $275 (0.55%) | $295 (0.59%) | APMEX |
| $100,000 | $550 | $490 (0.49%) | Money Metals |
| $250,000 | $1,375 | $1,225 (0.49%) | Money Metals |
Our arithmetic from each dealer's published rates. APMEX: 0.55% a year, $15 a month minimum ($180 a year), so the percentage applies above about $32,700. Money Metals: $96 a year up to $15,999, 0.59% from $16,000, 0.49% from $100,000, 0.39% from $1 million, billed quarterly on its "Sell to Us" value, plus $25 per package shipped out.
For most first-time buyers storing a few coins, Money Metals costs less. Between roughly $33,000 and $100,000, APMEX edges ahead. Both are vault fees on top of what you pay for the gold. Our US gold storage guide compares vaults with a home safe or bank box.
How easy is it to sell back?
Money Metals is more open here: each product page shows a live "Sell to Us" price, so you can see the bid before you buy. If your metal sits in its depository, a sale to Money Metals has no release charge and no shipping or insurance cost. APMEX buys too, but you request a quote, lock the price online or by phone, then ship with a prepaid, insured label. It does not publish its buy prices in advance.
Either way, get a second quote before you lock. Gains on gold held over a year are generally taxed by the IRS as collectibles at up to 28%; see our US gold tax guide and how to sell gold.
Are both dealers trustworthy?
Both have long records and A+ BBB ratings. APMEX has been accredited since 2004 and is backed by the MKS PAMP Group, the Swiss refiner behind PAMP bars. Money Metals has been accredited since 2011; its BBB page showed 4.3 out of 5 from 120 customer reviews and 47 complaints over three years when we checked on October 12, 2026.
One legal item comes up in searches. In March 2025 Money Metals and three Kentucky residents sued the Governor, the Commonwealth and the Department of Revenue, arguing that sales tax was still being collected on gold and silver after the state exempted it from August 1, 2024. Money Metals is the plaintiff, not the defendant, and we did not find a final outcome reported. We found no regulator actions against either company.
Which should you choose?
| If you are... | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A first-time buyer of one or two coins | Either, compare prices on the day | Both ship free from $199 and reward wire payment |
| Storing under about $30,000 | Money Metals | $96 a year flat vs a $180 a year minimum |
| Storing $33,000 to $100,000 | APMEX | 0.55% vs 0.59% |
| Buying a set amount every month | Money Metals | Dedicated Monthly Program |
| Wanting PAMP bars, rare coins or a wide range | APMEX | Very large catalog and MKS PAMP backing |
| Living outside the US | APMEX | Ships to 33 countries; Money Metals does not mention it |
| Wanting to see buyback prices up front | Money Metals | Live "Sell to Us" price on product pages |
Check APMEX prices Check Money Metals prices
Still deciding? Compare Money Metals with a lower-priced dealer in SD Bullion vs Money Metals, see APMEX against SD Bullion in APMEX vs SD Bullion, or read our US Gold Bureau review for another option. Our guide to the best places to buy gold in the US covers every dealer we review. This is information, not financial advice: gold prices can fall as well as rise.
Frequently asked questions
Is APMEX or Money Metals cheaper?
We cannot say for certain, because Money Metals' site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it. APMEX charged $4,424.29 by wire for a 1 oz American Gold Eagle on October 10, 2026 (5.45% over spot). Open the same coin at both dealers, pick the same payment method and compare the final total.
Which is better for storing gold, APMEX or Money Metals?
For small holdings, Money Metals usually costs less: a flat $96 a year up to $15,999, against APMEX Citadel's $15 a month minimum ($180 a year). Between about $33,000 and $100,000 APMEX's 0.55% is a little cheaper than Money Metals' 0.59%. From $100,000, Money Metals' 0.49% is lower again.
Do APMEX and Money Metals charge extra for credit cards?
Both make card payments cost more. APMEX gives a 4% discount off list price for check, eCheck and wire, so card buyers pay about 4.17% more. Money Metals' Monthly Program terms apply a 3.9% card processing charge, and a 2020 article on its site described a 4% surcharge on regular orders.
Which has the better BBB rating?
Both hold an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. APMEX has been accredited since April 28, 2004 and Money Metals since March 30, 2011. On Trustpilot, APMEX showed 4.4 out of 5 from 10,241 reviews (October 11, 2026) and Money Metals 4.5 out of 5 from 461 reviews (October 12, 2026).
Can I sell gold back to APMEX or Money Metals?
Yes, to both. Money Metals shows a live "Sell to Us" price on product pages, and metal already in its depository can be sold with no release, shipping or insurance charge. APMEX gives a quote on request, then you lock the price and ship with a prepaid, insured label. See how to sell gold.
Does either dealer ship outside the US?
APMEX does: its international page lists 33 countries, including the UK, Canada and Australia, with duties paid by the buyer. Money Metals does not mention international shipping on the pages we could access. Buyers outside the US are usually better served by a local dealer.
Can I cancel an order at APMEX or Money Metals?
Treat both orders as final once placed. Money Metals says orders cannot be canceled and late payers may owe market losses. APMEX's user agreement includes a market loss policy if you cancel or fail to pay. Lock a price only when your money is ready.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- APMEX: Payment FAQs (4% discount for check, eCheck and wire)
- APMEX: Shipping and delivery (free over $199, $9.95 below)
- APMEX: Citadel storage (0.55% a year, Brink's, allocated and segregated)
- Money Metals Depository: Storage agreement and fee schedule (current as of 4/1/26)
- Money Metals: Monthly Program agreement (3.9% card charge)
- Money Metals: Buy gold (free shipping on $199+, no cancellations)
- Better Business Bureau: American Precious Metals Exchange (A+, accredited since 4/28/2004)
- Better Business Bureau: Money Metals Exchange, LLC (A+, accredited since 3/30/2011)
- Trustpilot: APMEX reviews (4.4 from 10,241 reviews, viewed Oct 11, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Money Metals reviews (4.5 from 461 reviews, viewed Oct 12, 2026)
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.