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Both SD Bullion and Money Metals Exchange have carved out real positions in the U.S. online bullion market, and for most investors choosing between them, the decision comes down to one thing: what matters more to you the absolute lowest premium on a single purchase, or a broader ecosystem of tools built around long-term accumulation?
SD Bullion was founded in 2012 and has processed over $2 billion in transactions, earning a reputation as one of the most price-aggressive dealers in the country.
Money Metals Exchange launched in 2010, took a different lane, and built a model that blends competitive pricing with structured savings programs, in-house storage, and a distinctive educational bent. Neither is a fringe operator. Both carry an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Key Takeaways
- SD Bullion is the stronger choice for buyers who prioritize low premiums and a large one-time purchase.
- Money Metals Exchange offers a Monthly Savings Plan and spot-price buyback program that most competitors don't match.
- Both hold A+ BBB ratings and ship insured, but neither is without customer complaints around shipping delays and order cancellations.
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Company Backgrounds at a Glance
| Feature | SD Bullion | Money Metals Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Toledo, Ohio | Eagle, Idaho |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Metals Offered | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Copper | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, Copper |
| In-House Depository | SD Depository (third-party approved) | Money Metals Depository (Idaho, insured by Lloyd's of London) |
| IRA Support | Yes | Yes |
| Buyback Program | Yes, at market rates | Yes, at spot price for many products |
| Free Shipping Threshold | $199+ | $199+ (or every 3rd order in Monthly Plan) |
Pricing and Premiums
SD Bullion markets itself aggressively on price. The tagline "Lowest Price. Period." isn't just branding across benchmark products like 1 oz American Gold Eagles, 100 oz silver bars, and American Silver Eagles, SD Bullion consistently sits at or near the bottom of the premium range among major online dealers.
Reviewers on independent price comparison platforms regularly confirm that SD Bullion beats APMEX by 2–5% on popular silver coins and shaves roughly 1% off 1 oz gold bars compared to JM Bullion.
Money Metals falls in the middle tier less expensive than APMEX, slightly above SD Bullion on most one-time purchases, but competitive enough that the gap isn't dramatic for smaller orders.
Where Money Metals pulls ahead is on its Monthly Savings Plan. Subscribers who auto-buy gold or silver each month pay reduced premiums compared to one-time purchases, which shifts the calculus for anyone building a position steadily over time.
A practical note on payment: both dealers, like most in the industry, charge higher effective premiums when you pay by credit card. Wire transfer or check gets the best pricing at both companies.
At Money Metals, gold premiums typically run 2–15% over spot; silver and other metals run 4–30%, depending on product type and order size.
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Product Selection
SD Bullion's catalog is extensive: American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, Silver Buffalo Rounds, 90% junk silver, platinum coins and bars, palladium, and an increasingly large collectibles section that includes pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, Morgan Dollars, and its own proprietary "Truth Coin" series.
The company also sells 24K gold jewelry, which is unusual for a bullion dealer.
Money Metals covers similar ground with a few additions. Their catalog includes rhodium, which SD Bullion doesn't carry, and their Goldback currency a spendable gold-layered note product is unique in the market.
They also offer a wider range of copper items and silver statues that skew toward collectors rather than pure investors.
For straightforward bullion: coins, rounds, and bars in the standard sizes both dealers are essentially equivalent.
The edge in breadth goes narrowly to Money Metals if you're looking for anything outside mainstream precious metals.
Buyback Programs Compared
This is where the comparison gets interesting. SD Bullion's buyback is functional and well-reviewed for speed some customers report payment arriving within a day or two of delivery.
The pricing is fair market rate, which means you'll sell at a discount to spot (as is standard across the industry).
Money Metals offers something genuinely different. For many products, their buyback pays spot price not below it. That's a meaningful advantage, particularly for investors who accumulate silver rounds or bars with the intent to eventually liquidate.
The selling process is described as straightforward: request a quote online, ship using their prepaid label, and receive payment within 1–2 business days after verification.
If resale economics matter to you and over a multi-year accumulation strategy, they should Money Metals' buyback structure is the better deal.
IRA Services and Storage
Both dealers support precious metals IRAs, but with meaningfully different infrastructure. SD Bullion connects customers to third-party custodians and approved vaults. The process works, though some reviewers note that storage fee transparency could be better.
Money Metals built its own depository in Eagle, Idaho. The facility uses UL Class 3 vaults, segregated storage (your metals are kept separate from other customers'), 24-hour monitoring, and insurance through Lloyd's of London up to $800 million.
For IRA buyers, the ability to purchase from the dealer and store within the same organization's facility simplifies the logistics considerably. They partner with custodians like New Direction Trust Company to keep the full IRA setup streamlined.
Money Metals also offers a loans-against-metals product through Money Metals Capital Group, which allows stored customers to borrow up to 75% of their holdings' value without selling.
Interest-only monthly payments, no prepayment penalties. That kind of liquidity option is rare among bullion dealers.
Customer Experience and Complaints
Neither company is complaint-free, and it's worth being direct about that.
SD Bullion has accumulated a notable volume of negative reviews around a few recurring issues:
Money Metals Exchange drew 41 BBB complaints over three years, with 14 related to products or services and 12 involving delivery. Common themes: shipping delays during peak demand, and a strict 5-day window to report lost shipments.
Their Yelp profile sits at 4 out of 5 stars, and many customers who initially filed complaints reported satisfaction after the company followed up.
The honest read: SD Bullion's complaints, particularly around order cancellations on locked-price orders, are more structurally concerning. Money Metals' complaints are more routine shipping delays, miscommunication and the response pattern is better documented.
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Who Each Dealer Serves Best
SD Bullion works best for buyers who:
Money Metals Exchange works best for buyers who:
Conclusion
For pure price on a one-time buy, SD Bullion has the edge and for high-volume stackers, that edge compounds meaningfully over dozens of transactions.
For investors who think in terms of systems automated accumulation, long-term storage, and eventual resale at or near spot Money Metals Exchange is built more deliberately for that approach.