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Investing » Money Metals Exchange vs American Hartford Gold: Gold Dealers Comparison

Money Metals Exchange vs American Hartford Gold: Gold Dealers Comparison

Money Metals or American Hartford Gold? Learn which gold dealer leads in IRAs, direct purchases, and overall investor-friendly features.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Money Metals Exchange
American Hartford Gold
Min. Investment
$0
$5,000 / $10,000 $5,000 for cash purchases / $10,000 for gold IRA
Established
2010
2015
Storage Fees
0.39% – 0.59% $96 for assets up to $15,999
0.59% for assets between $16,000 and $99,000
0.49% for assets between $100,000 and $999,999
0.39% for assets over $1 million
$200 – $280
Coin & Bar Selection
Wide bullion range, unique items
Strong IRA-eligible and collector coins
Payment Methods
Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto
Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto
Pricing Transparency
Real-time spot price updates
Must call for prices
Best For
Flexible buyers, auto-investing
IRA-focused investors, high-touch support
Our Rating
(4.2/5)
(4.6/5)
Read Review
Read Review

AHG vs Money Metals: Who Has the Better Reputation?

American Hartford Gold is our winner for ratings, thanks to its consistently high customer scores across multiple review platforms.

Platform
Rating
Trustpilot
4.7 (1,373 reviews)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A+ | Accredited Since 2016
Consumer Affairs
4.6 (891 reviews)

With a 4.7 Trustpilot rating based on over 1,300 reviews and an A+ BBB rating, AHG has clearly earned investor trust.

Platform
Rating
Trustpilot
3.3 (125 reviews)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A+ | Accredited Since 2011 | 4.4 (143 reviews)
Consumer Affairs
4.7 (168 reviews)

While Money Metals Exchange has respectable ratings, including a 4.4 BBB score and a 4.7 on Consumer Affairs, its Trustpilot score (3.3) and fewer total reviews suggest a more mixed customer experience.

Buying Gold and Silver: Who Comes Out on Top?

Our preferred choice for direct gold and silver purchases is Money Metals Exchange, primarily due to its flexible payment options, transparent pricing, and unique product offerings.

Where They’re Both Strong:

  • Product variety: Both dealers offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in coins and bars, with IRA-eligible options.

  • Free shipping: Orders over $199 ship free and are fully insured.

  • Buyback programs: Both support competitive buybacks, even if you didn’t originally buy from them.

  • Flexible payments: Both accept bank wires, credit cards, checks, and more.

american gold eagle coins, Money Metals Exchange
American gold eagle coins, Money Metals Exchange

Where Money Metals Stands Out:

  • Monthly Savings Plan: A unique program that helps investors automate gold and silver purchases over time, using dollar-cost averaging.

  • Online checkout & live pricing: Transparent pricing and a cart-based checkout system provide a seamless online experience.

  • More payment options: Supports cryptocurrency (2% fee), ACH, PayPal, and more.

  • Rhodium products: Offers rare rhodium bars, which are not commonly available.

Where American Hartford Gold Stands Out:

  • Personalized service: Each purchase goes through a one-on-one consultation, which some buyers prefer.

  • Price match guarantee: AHG will match competitors’ pricing upon request.

  • No online pricing: While this creates personal engagement, it can feel less convenient for quick shoppers.

  • Free shipping for all direct purchases: Not just over a specific threshold.

Ultimately, Money Metals Exchange is better for buyers who want full transparency, digital convenience, and the ability to automate purchases. AHG is better suited for high-touch service and those wanting to negotiate over the phone.

buy physical gold, American Hartford Gold
Buy physical gold, American Hartford Gold

Which Is Better for a Gold or Silver IRA?

Our preferred choice for precious metal IRAs is American Hartford Gold, mainly due to its lower minimum investment, waived fees for larger accounts, and more robust storage partnerships.

Where They’re Both Strong:

  • Gold IRA setup: Both companies help investors set up self-directed IRAs and work with reputable custodians.

  • Buyback programs: Both support liquidating IRA metals with no penalty, with AHG offering zero buyback fees.

  • IRA-eligible metals: Both offer a strong lineup of IRS-approved coins and bars.

Where American Hartford Gold Stands Out:

  • Lower minimums: You can open a Gold IRA with just $10,000, compared to Money Metals’ less-defined thresholds.

  • Fee transparency: AHG provides clear IRA fee structures, with up to 3 years of fees waived on qualifying accounts.

  • Storage flexibility: AHG partners with both Brinks and Delaware Depository, offering secure, insured vaults with location options.

  • Personal support: AHG assigns IRA specialists who walk you through each step — ideal for first-time IRA investors.

gold IRA products, American Hartford Gold
Gold IRA products, American Hartford Gold

Where Money Metals Stands Out:

  • In-house depository: The Money Metals Depository offers secure, segregated storage with insurance through Lloyd’s of London.

  • Flexibility in custodians: Investors can choose from partnered or independent custodians.

  • More metals: Includes platinum, palladium, and rare rhodium bars for IRAs.

Still, American Hartford Gold delivers more clarity, lower barriers to entry, and stronger customer service for retirement investors, making it our top pick for Gold IRAs.

self directed gold IRA on Money Metals Exchange

Final Verdict: Money Metals vs American Hartford

Overall, we recommend Money Metals Exchange for casual and long-term direct buyers, and American Hartford Gold for retirement-focused investors looking for clear guidance, strong storage options, and fee advantages.

  • Ratings Winner: American Hartford Gold — stronger reviews across platforms, especially on Trustpilot.
  • Best for Direct Purchase: Money Metals Exchange — more pricing transparency, payment options, and a unique savings plan.
  • Best for IRA: American Hartford Gold — lower investment minimums, transparent fees, and personalized IRA support.
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Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Promotion:
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Supports a large number of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many altcoins.
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Provides a non-custodial wallet where users have control over their private keys, supports a wide range of crypto assets and decentralized applications (DApps).

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Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

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This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.