Gold has been a store of value for thousands of years. In 2026, buying it is easier than ever—but which app should you use?

We tested the top gold-buying platforms to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Comparison

App Min. Investment Fees Storage Best For
Sprott Money $100 1-2% Allocated Serious investors
Preserve Gold $50 1.5% IRA/Vaulted Retirement accounts
Vaulted $10 0.4%/yr Allocated Beginners
OneGold $1 0.5%/yr Digital Small amounts
Royal Canadian Mint $25 Varies Physical delivery Collectors

1. Sprott Money — Best for Serious Investors

Sprott Money offers allocated gold storage in Canada with full insurance.

Pros:

  • Allocated storage (your gold, your bars)
  • Can take physical delivery anytime
  • Competitive premiums on bullion
  • Canadian jurisdiction (stable banking)

Cons:

  • Higher minimums than apps
  • Not as beginner-friendly

Open Sprott Account →

2. Preserve Gold — Best for IRAs

If you want gold in your retirement account, Preserve Gold specializes in Gold IRAs.

Pros:

  • IRA-approved gold products
  • Handles all paperwork
  • IRS-compliant storage
  • Educational resources

Cons:

  • Higher fees than self-directed options
  • Minimum investment required

Get Free Gold IRA Guide →

3. Vaulted by McAlvany — Best for Beginners

Vaulted lets you buy fractional gold from $10. Your gold is stored at the Royal Canadian Mint.

Pros:

  • $10 minimum
  • Low annual fee (0.4%)
  • Mobile app is excellent
  • Optional physical delivery

Cons:

  • Delivery fees can be high
  • Limited to gold (no silver)

Download Vaulted App →

4. OneGold — Best for Dollar-Cost Averaging

OneGold (by APMEX) lets you buy gold for as little as $1.

Pros:

  • $1 minimum
  • Automatic recurring purchases
  • Backed by APMEX (trusted dealer)
  • Can redeem for physical

Cons:

  • Unallocated storage default
  • Fees add up over time

5. Royal Canadian Mint — Best for Physical Delivery

The Royal Canadian Mint sells directly to consumers with guaranteed authenticity.

Pros:

  • Government mint (maximum trust)
  • Beautiful collector coins
  • Ships worldwide
  • No storage fees (you hold it)

Cons:

  • Shipping costs
  • You handle security

How to Choose

For beginners: Start with Vaulted. Low minimums, simple app.

For IRAs: Preserve Gold handles the complexity.

For large purchases: Sprott Money offers the best combination of low premiums and secure storage.

For collectors: Royal Canadian Mint for authenticated coins.

The Bottom Line

Gold isn’t going anywhere. The question is how you want to hold it.

For most people, we recommend starting with Vaulted or OneGold to learn the ropes, then graduating to allocated storage at Sprott Money as your position grows.

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