SD Bullion vs Money Metals: which is better?
Choose SD Bullion if you pay by wire, want the lowest price we could verify (3.33% over spot on a 1 oz Gold Eagle, October 10, 2026) or will store more than about $20,000. Choose Money Metals if you want a monthly buying plan, larger card orders, or cheap storage for a few coins at $96 a year.
SD Bullion and Money Metals are unusual among US online dealers because both keep customers' metal in a vault they run themselves: SD Depository on the Ohio and Michigan border, and the Money Metals Depository in Eagle, Idaho. So the choice comes down to price, payment rules and what storage costs at your holding size. Full details are in our SD Bullion review and Money Metals Exchange review.
SD Bullion vs Money Metals at a glance
| Feature | SD Bullion | Money Metals Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Selling since | 2012 online | 2010 |
| 1 oz Gold Eagle, wire | $4,335.39 (3.33% over spot) | Not published: site does not allow automated price checks |
| Cash discount | 4% for wire, check, e-check, money order | Card payments carry a 3.9% charge (Monthly Program terms) |
| Card limit | $5,000 per order; no American Express | No limit stated in our review |
| PayPal | Up to $500 | Accepted |
| Wire rules | Not offered under $2,500; required over $20,000 | Suggested for orders over $3,000 |
| If you miss payment | Market loss, 5% cancellation fee, collection costs | No cancellations; market loss and collection costs |
| Shipping | Free and insured over $199; $9.95 below | Free on $199+ |
| Price match | Yes, if you call before ordering | Not offered in our review |
| Gold storage | 0.29% a year, $9.99 a month minimum, 3 months free for new customers | $96 a year up to $15,999, then 0.39% to 0.59% |
| Buyback | Indicative bid prices posted; paid 1 to 3 business days after processing | Live "Sell to Us" price on product pages |
| Monthly plan | Not covered in our review | Yes, the Monthly Program |
| Ships abroad | 37 countries, buyer pays duties | Not mentioned |
| BBB | A+, accredited since 2014 | A+, accredited since 2011 |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 from 3,138 reviews (Oct 2026) | 4.5 from 461 reviews (Oct 2026) |
Which dealer has lower prices?
You always pay the spot price (the market price for an ounce) plus a premium. SD Bullion had the lowest price in our automated check on the most popular US coin. Money Metals' site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it.
| Coin | SD Bullion | Premium | Cost per oz of gold | Money Metals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz (Oct 10) | $4,335.39 | 3.33% | $4,335.39 | Not published |
| 1/2 oz (Oct 11) | $2,152.69 | 2.62% | $4,305.38 | Not published |
| 1/4 oz (Oct 11) | $1,156.48 | 10.26% | $4,625.92 | Not published |
| 1/10 oz (Oct 11) | $492.03 | 17.27% | $4,920.30 | Not published |
GoldVetted price check, 10 and 11 October 2026, market closed so spot was unchanged. Spot from gold-api.com. Premium = price / (fine gold oz x spot) - 1. SD Bullion's card price on the 1 oz coin was $4,516.03. APMEX charged $4,424.29 by wire for the same 1 oz coin. See the premium tracker.
Two things stand out. SD Bullion's 1 oz price was the lowest of the dealers we could check that evening. And its 1/2 oz Eagle cost less per ounce of gold than the 1 oz coin, which is rare. To compare with Money Metals, open the same coin at both, choose wire at both and compare totals. You can also ask SD Bullion to match a lower advertised online price, but only by phone before you order.
Which is easier to pay?
This is where SD Bullion is strict. Its policy, updated October 1, 2026, caps cards at $5,000, PayPal at $500 and e-checks at $10,000. Wire is not offered under $2,500 and is required over $20,000. Miss a payment deadline and you can face a 5% cancellation fee on top of any market loss; on a $4,335 coin that fee alone is about $217.
Money Metals takes a wide range of methods, including cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, wire, BitPay and checks, but adds a card charge (3.9% in its Monthly Program terms). Its orders also cannot be canceled once placed. In short: SD Bullion gives wire buyers the clearest price but limits how you pay; Money Metals is more flexible but charges for that flexibility.
Which vault costs less for your holding?
Both store metal segregated, meaning your own bars and coins are kept apart and returned to you, and both say they are insured through Lloyd's of London. The fee structures differ, so the cheaper vault depends on how much you hold.
| Value stored | SD Depository | Money Metals Depository | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $119.88 (minimum) | $96 | Money Metals |
| $15,000 | $119.88 (minimum) | $96 | Money Metals |
| $25,000 | $119.88 (minimum) | $147.50 | SD Bullion |
| $50,000 | $145 | $295 | SD Bullion |
| $100,000 | $290 | $490 | SD Bullion |
| $250,000 | $725 | $1,225 | SD Bullion |
Our arithmetic from published rates. SD Depository: 0.29% a year for gold, $9.99 a month minimum, so the percentage applies above about $41,000; first 3 months free for new non-IRA customers; $25 per shipment out plus shipping. 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; $25 per package shipped out plus postage and insurance.
The crossover is around $20,000. Below it, Money Metals' flat fee wins; above it, SD Depository's 0.29% is roughly half the cost or less. For comparison, APMEX's Citadel vault charges 0.55% a year with a $15 monthly minimum. Our US gold storage guide weighs vaults against keeping gold at home.
Delivery and insurance: what to watch
Both ship free from $199. SD Bullion's shipping policy is detailed and strict: insurance does not apply if you have waived signatures with your carrier, if anyone other than the addressee signs, or if the parcel goes to a mailbox store or locker, and problems must be reported within 3 business days. Money Metals' program terms say orders are fully insured with tracking; we could not access a separate shipping policy page. If you cannot be home to sign, read SD Bullion's terms carefully.
Selling back and ratings
Both buy back. SD Bullion posts indicative bid prices for dozens of products and pays within 1 to 3 business days after processing; the price is fixed only when you call to lock. Money Metals shows a live "Sell to Us" price on each product page and charges no release, shipping or insurance cost when you sell metal already in its vault. Gains on gold held over a year are generally taxed as collectibles at up to 28% (IRS Topic 409); see our US gold tax guide.
Both hold an A+ from the BBB. Trustpilot showed SD Bullion at 4.1 from 3,138 reviews (October 11, 2026) and Money Metals at 4.5 from 461 reviews (October 12, 2026). Money Metals was also the plaintiff in a March 2025 lawsuit against Kentucky over sales tax still being collected on gold and silver after the state exempted it from August 1, 2024; we found no final outcome reported. We found no regulator actions against either dealer.
Verdict: which suits you?
| If you... | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pay by wire and want the lowest verified price | SD Bullion | 3.33% over spot on a 1 oz Eagle, plus price match |
| Want to pay more than $5,000 by card | Money Metals | SD Bullion caps cards at $5,000 |
| Store under about $20,000 | Money Metals | $96 a year flat |
| Store more than about $20,000 | SD Bullion | 0.29% a year, from $119.88 |
| Buy a set amount every month | Money Metals | Monthly Program |
| Often away when parcels arrive | Check both terms; SD Bullion is strictest | SD Bullion insurance is void if someone else signs |
| Live outside the US | SD Bullion | Ships to 37 countries |
Check SD Bullion prices Check Money Metals prices
For more options, see APMEX vs Money Metals, our Bullion Exchanges review, US Gold Bureau review and BullionMax review, or start with the best places to buy gold in the US. This is information, not financial advice: gold prices can fall as well as rise.
Frequently asked questions
Is SD Bullion cheaper than Money Metals?
SD Bullion had the lowest 1 oz American Gold Eagle wire price in our October 10, 2026 check, at $4,335.39 or 3.33% over spot. Money Metals' site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it and cannot rank the two on price. Compare the same coin at both on the day you buy.
Which has cheaper gold storage, SD Bullion or Money Metals?
It depends on how much you store. Money Metals charges a flat $96 a year up to $15,999, which beats SD Depository's $9.99 a month minimum ($119.88 a year) on small holdings. Above roughly $20,000, SD Depository's 0.29% a year is cheaper than Money Metals' 0.59%, and the gap widens as holdings grow.
Can I pay SD Bullion or Money Metals by credit card?
Yes, at both, but it costs more. SD Bullion caps cards at $5,000 per order, takes no American Express and gives a 4% discount for wire or check. 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.
What happens if I cancel an order?
Both treat a locked price as binding. SD Bullion can charge market loss, a 5% cancellation fee and collection costs if payment misses the deadline. Money Metals says orders cannot be canceled and that late payers may be liable for market losses and collection costs. Only lock a price when your money is ready.
Are SD Bullion and Money Metals legit?
Both hold an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. SD Bullion has been accredited since April 22, 2014 and Money Metals since March 30, 2011. On Trustpilot, SD Bullion showed 4.1 out of 5 from 3,138 reviews (October 11, 2026) and Money Metals 4.5 out of 5 from 461 reviews (October 12, 2026).
Which pays faster when I sell gold back?
SD Bullion says it pays within 1 to 3 business days after your package is processed and checked. Money Metals shows a live "Sell to Us" price and, for metal in its depository, charges nothing for release, shipping or insurance when you sell to it. We did not find a stated payout time for Money Metals. See how to sell gold.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- SD Bullion: Payment and pricing (limits, 4% cash discount, 5% cancellation fee; updated 10/01/2026)
- SD Bullion: Shipping policies (free over $199, insurance conditions)
- SD Bullion: Precious metal storage and rates (0.29% for gold, $9.99 monthly minimum)
- SD Bullion: Sell to us (payment within 1 to 3 business days)
- Money Metals Depository: Storage agreement and fee schedule (current as of 4/1/26)
- Money Metals: Monthly Program agreement (3.9% card charge)
- Better Business Bureau: SD Bullion, Inc (A+, accredited since 4/22/2014)
- Better Business Bureau: Money Metals Exchange, LLC (A+, accredited since 3/30/2011)
- Trustpilot: SD Bullion reviews (4.1 from 3,138 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.