JM Bullion | APMEX | |
Min. Investment | $0 | $0 |
Established | 2011 | 2000 |
Storage Fees | 0.5% – 1%
Varies by account, usually 0.5% – 1% . Estimated annual fee. | About 0.55%
Annually, estimated – can be vary between accounts |
Coin & Bar Selection | Strong bullion focus, IRA-approved metals, fractional sizes | Broad selection, includes rare coins, collectibles, pre-1933 gold
|
Payment Methods | Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto | Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto |
Pricing Transparency | Real-time spot price updates | Real-time spot price updates |
Best For | Affordable bullion, strong reviews, IRA simplicity | Collectors, rare coins, and premium features |
Our Rating |
(4.3/5) |
(4.1/5) |
Read Review | Read Review |
JM Bullion vs APMEX: Who Has the Better Reputation?
JM Bullion is our preferred choice when it comes to customer satisfaction, due to its consistently higher user ratings across platforms.
While APMEX is a giant in the industry, its customer reviews are surprisingly low. APMEX scores only 1.7 on Trustpilot (7,966 reviews) and 2.8 on Consumer Affairs.
Platform | Rating |
---|---|
Trustpilot
| 1.7 (7,966 reviews) |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) | A+ | Accredited Since 2004 |
Consumer Affairs | 2.8 (290 reviews) |
In contrast, JM Bullion maintains a solid 4.3 Trustpilot rating from over 1,400 reviews and 4.5 on Consumer Affairs. Both companies have A+ ratings from the BBB, but JM Bullion clearly inspires more consumer confidence.
Platform | Rating |
---|---|
Trustpilot
| 4.3 (1,493 reviews) |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) | A+ | Accredited Since 2014 |
Consumer Affairs | 4.5 (790 reviews) |
This consistency gives JM Bullion an edge in customer trust and reliability
APMEX vs JM Bullion: Which Is Best For Buying Gold?
APMEX is our preferred choice for direct gold and silver purchases due to its massive inventory, mobile app access, and advanced investor tools like AutoInvest and portfolio tracking.
Both JM Bullion and APMEX are strong when it comes to physical gold and silver purchases:
Where They’re Both Strong:
Product Selection: Both offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in bars, coins, and rounds.
Shipping Benefits: Orders over $199 qualify for free insured delivery.
Buyback Programs: Both offer competitive buyback pricing.
Payment Options: You can use credit/debit cards, wire transfers, checks, PayPal, and even Bitcoin (JM Bullion) or Dogecoin/Ethereum (APMEX).
Where JM Bullion Stands Out:
Ease of Use: More beginner-friendly site and simpler checkout process.
AutoBuy Feature: Automates repeat purchases with threshold-based pricing.
Buyback Tool: Lets users lock in sell prices online, 24/7.
Fear & Greed Index: Offers sentiment tracking for investors.
Where APMEX Stands Out:
Massive Inventory: Far more collector-grade and rare coins, including pre-1933 gold.
Mobile App: Allows purchases and portfolio tracking on the go.
Bullion Card & APMEX Club: Earn rewards in precious metals for repeat purchases.
Advanced Tools: Offers price alerts, real-time charts, and a portfolio management dashboard.
If you're a frequent buyer or collector who wants access to rare coins, mobile tracking, and rewards, APMEX delivers a superior overall experience.
Best Gold IRA Provider: APMEX or JM Bullion?
JM Bullion is our preferred choice for gold IRAs, mainly due to its storage flexibility, transparent fee structure, and easy-to-follow process.
Both JM Bullion and APMEX help customers set up Gold IRAs with trusted custodians and offer a solid lineup of IRS-approved metals, but there are a few key differences worth noting:
Where They’re Both Strong:
IRA-Eligible Products: Both offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium that meet IRS standards.
Trusted Custodians: Partner with reputable companies like Equity Trust, Strata Trust, and others.
Buyback Programs: Both make it easy to liquidate IRA assets when needed.
Secure Storage: Both use IRS-approved third-party depositories with insured storage.
Where JM Bullion Stands Out:
Transparent Fees: JM Bullion clearly outlines setup ($50–$100) and admin fees ($75–$300), helping avoid surprises.
Storage Flexibility: Partners with TDS Vaults in Zurich, Singapore, and Las Vegas, offering global options.
Investor Tools: Features like AutoBuy and market sentiment tracking help long-term IRA investors.
Self-Service Buyback: IRA holders can sell assets directly via online tools without calling a rep.
Where APMEX Stands Out:
Partner Range: Offers access to several custodians, but doesn’t clearly outline fee structures.
OneGold Integration: While not specific to IRAs, OneGold offers digital metal ownership for more liquid investing.
Brinks Storage: APMEX’s Citadel Depository (Brink’s subsidiary) is U.S.-based, secure, and fully insured.
While APMEX offers secure storage and various custodian options, JM Bullion’s clarity on fees and international storage flexibility make it the better choice for investors who want a straightforward, global IRA setup process.
Final Verdict: APMEX vs JM Bullion
JM Bullion wins for IRAs and ratings, while APMEX comes out ahead for physical gold and silver purchases.
Ratings Winner: JM Bullion – Higher customer satisfaction across Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.
Best for Direct Purchase: APMEX – Huge product selection, mobile app, loyalty perks, and investor tools.
Best for IRA: JM Bullion – Transparent fees, global storage, and self-service tools give it the edge.
In short, choose JM Bullion if you're focused on long-term IRA investing or want top-rated customer service. But if you’re building a personal collection or stacking bullion regularly, APMEX is a powerful option with more buying flexibility.