APMEX review: What investors should know before buying gold

Founded in 2000, APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange) is one of the largest online retailers of precious metals in the United States and the world. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company offers over 30,000 products, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium. And though APMEX is based in the U.S., its online platform allows it to sell precious metals products to customers in more than 60 countries.

Below, we'll explore APMEX's products, fees, customer experience and how the company stacks up against other precious metals dealers.

APMEX overview

APMEX is a precious metals dealer that lets you buy and sell gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals through its online marketplace. You can browse products online, place an order and have your purchase shipped to your door. If you decide to sell later, APMEX also offers a buyback program for you to liquidate your holdings.

If you're interested in a gold IRA, APMEX can help with that too. But note that APMEX is a dealer, not a custodian or storage provider. In other words, though it sells silver and gold, it doesn't store metals directly or administer retirement accounts. Instead, APMEX works with third-party custodians that manage self-directed IRAs and IRS-approved depositories that store the physical metals.

APMEX products and services

• Physical metals: APMEX offers a wide selection of precious metals and is one of the largest online dealers in the country. It mainly offers bullion coins and bars in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. But you can also find rare and collectible coins for numismatists, or coin scholars, and other enthusiasts. In terms of products, APMEX offers gold coins from many different countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia and China.
• Precious metals IRA: Beyond its physical products, APMEX also provides a specialized service for setting up Gold IRAs, allowing you to hold physical gold and other precious metals in a tax-advantaged account. The company also works with IRS-compliant custodians, like Equity Institutional, to store your gold IRA.
• Eligible metals include:

• Gold with 0.995+ purity (except U.S. Gold Eagles)
• Silver with 0.999+ purity
• Platinum and Palladium with 0.9995+ purity

• AutoInvest: APMEX offers APMEX AutoInvest, which lets you set up recurring purchases of its various precious metal products.
• The Bullion Card: Another unique feature is the Bullion Card, a Visa credit card that rewards purchases with gold or silver. It offers up to 5% back in Gold and Silver on APMEX purchases, and 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,500.
• OneGold: APMEX also offers OneGold, a digital precious metals investment platform where investors can buy and sell gold- and silver-backed digital assets without the need for physical storage.

Invest in gold with APMEX

How the APMEX process works

Here's what you can expect when you're buying precious metal from APMEX.

• Compare prices. Product prices are listed on APMEX's website, and they update throughout the day based on the current market price of precious metals.
• Place your order. Add the products you want to your cart and check out using your preferred payment method, such as a bank wire, ACH transfer or credit card.
• Lock in your price. Once your order is confirmed, your purchase price is locked in, even if market prices change afterward.
• Receive your shipment. Your order is packaged and shipped to your home or another approved delivery address.
• Store your metals. You can keep your precious metals at home, use a secure third-party storage facility or, if you're opening a Gold IRA, have them stored in an IRS-approved depository.
• Sell when you're ready. If you decide to sell, APMEX offers a buyback program that lets you request a quote for eligible products.

APMEX fees and pricing considerations

APMEX's product pricing is subject to fluctuations in the market price of gold, silver and platinum. APMEX lists its product prices online, so you know what you're getting. You can also sign up for price alerts to get notified when the products you're watching change in price.

The company doesn't require a minimum for domestic orders, but it does charge a $9.95 shipping fee for orders under $199.

And if you're interested in secured storage, APMEX has a storage fee calculator on its website that helps you estimate storage rates, annual fees and monthly fees based on your portfolio value. But generally, the storage rate is 0.55%, with a monthly minimum of $15.

Tip: Before you buy, make sure you know exactly what you're paying for. That's because markup or fees can make it harder to earn a profit later. So always ask the dealer for a written documentation of the purchase price, current spot price, buyback policy and any fees.

APMEX reputation and customer experience

APMEX has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and holds a 4.02-star average across over 200 customer reviews.

The company has pretty solid reviews on Trustpilot as well. It's earned a 4.2-star average rating from more than 9,000 reviews. Most of the positive comments praise the company's wide selection of products, and its efficiency and helpful service. However, some customers noted that APMEX's prices can be higher than those of other vendors, and there were sometimes issues with order cancellations or discrepancies in product descriptions.

APMEX pros and cons

Before committing to APMEX, weigh these tradeoffs:

Pros

• Free educational resources on the website
• Access to over 30,000 gold, silver, platinum and palladium products
• No minimum purchase amount for domestic orders
• Clear prices are listed on its website

Cons

• Orders under $199 will be charged a shipping fee of $9.95
• May charge higher markups than some competitors

APMEX vs. competitors

APMEX is one of the biggest names in the precious metals industry, but it isn't the only option. Compare APMEX with other companies before making a decision.

Bottom line

APMEX is one of the most reputable precious metals dealers on the market. But remember, investment outcomes aren't guaranteed. Before buying gold, shop around and compare at least three companies. Also, make sure to request fee disclosures in writing and consult a qualified financial professional before investing your hard-earned cash in precious metals.

FAQs about APMEX

Is APMEX a legitimate gold dealer?

Yes, APMEX is a legitimate precious metal dealer. The company is accredited by the BBB and has been in business since 2000.

Does APMEX offer gold IRAs?

Yes. APMEX partners with multiple IRS-approved custodians and offers a large selection of IRA-eligible gold, silver, platinum and palladium products.

Is buying gold through a dealer like APMEX safe?

Buying gold through a dealer like APMEX is generally safe. That said, gold does carry market risk, and prices can fluctuate, so make sure to perform your due diligence before investing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: APMEX review: What investors should know before buying gold

Reporting by Jamela Adam, CFEI, Special to USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 10:23 AM.