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.
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.
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.
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.
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.