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Investing » JM Bullion vs Lear Capital: Which Is Best For Buying Gold?

JM Bullion vs Lear Capital: Which Is Best For Buying Gold?

Wondering who’s better—JM Bullion or Lear Capital? We break down their strengths in IRAs, reviews, fees, and direct gold purchases.
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.

The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We do not provide personalized investment recommendations or act as financial advisors.

JM Bullion
Lear Capital
Min. Investment
$0
$5,000 / $10,000 $50,000 for cash purchases / $10,000 for gold IRA
Established
2011
1997
Storage Fees
0.5% – 1% Varies by account, usually 0.5% – 1% . Estimated annual fee.
$200 Also, there is an annual maintenance fee of $200. Estimated annual fee.
Coin & Bar Selection
Wide bullion focus, few collectibles
Bullion + rare/numismatic coins
Payment Methods
Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto
Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto
Pricing Transparency
Live prices shown on site
Must call for pricing
Best For
Flexible, self-directed buyers
Hands-on IRA support & service
Our Rating
(4.3/5)
(4.7/5)
Read Review
Read Review

JM Bullion vs. Lear Capital: Which Has Better Ratings?

While JM Bullion maintains solid reviews across platforms, Lear Capital stands out with consistently higher customer satisfaction scores.

Platform
Rating
Trustpilot
4.9 (2,561 reviews)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A+ | Accredited Since 1997
Consumer Affairs
5 (1,436 reviews)
Google Reviews
4.7 (404 reviews)

Lear’s 4.9 rating on Trustpilot (vs. JM Bullion’s 4.3), plus a perfect 5.0 on Consumer Affairs, indicates exceptional client service. Lear also has an A+ BBB rating with a longer track record (since 1997), reinforcing its status as a trustworthy dealer. 

JM Bullion is no slouch, but Lear Capital clearly wins in terms of review volume and quality.

Platform
Rating
Trustpilot
4.3 (1,493 reviews)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
A+ | Accredited Since 2014
Consumer Affairs
4.5 (790 reviews)

JM Bullion vs Lear Capital: Who’s Better for Buying Gold?

Our winner: JM Bullion is our preferred choice for direct purchases, thanks to its website features, flexible payments, and user-friendly experience for buyers at all levels.

When it comes to buying physical precious metals like gold or silver, both JM Bullion and Lear Capital offer excellent product selections and secure delivery. But there are a few key differences that could influence your decision:

Where they’re both strong:

  • Product range: Both dealers offer a wide selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars.

  • Free shipping: Orders over $199 ship for free with full insurance.

  • Payment methods: Both accept credit cards, wire transfers, and checks.

  • Secure delivery: Discreet packaging and insured delivery ensure peace of mind.

Where JM Bullion stands out:

  • Flexible payment options: JM Bullion offers more variety, including PayPal and Bitcoin, which are not available through Lear Capital.

  • Online tools & user experience: Live charts, a market sentiment index, and AutoBuy make JM Bullion’s platform more interactive.

  • Buyback convenience: JM Bullion allows customers to sell back metals via a 24/7 self-service portal.

  • No minimum investment: Unlike Lear’s $15,000 minimum, JM Bullion caters better to small and first-time buyers.

buy certified gold coins, JM Bullion
Example of Certified gold coins (Screenshot from JM Bullion website)

Where Lear Capital stands out:

  • Collector coin options: Lear offers rare and numismatic coins in addition to bullion.

  • Dedicated support: Every buyer gets a personal account executive—even for non-IRA purchases.

  • Price Match Guarantee: Lear promises to match better prices found elsewhere.

JM Bullion edges ahead with its more flexible purchase options, superior online experience, and accessibility to everyday investors.

Lear Capital buy 1 oz gold bar online
Example of 1 oz gold bar online, Lear Capital

JM Bullion vs Lear Capital: Who’s Better for Gold IRAs?

Our winner: Lear Capital is our preferred choice for precious metal IRAs due to its white-glove service, fee waivers, and fast processing.

Both JM Bullion and Lear Capital help customers set up Gold IRAs with third-party custodians, but Lear Capital offers a more streamlined and service-oriented process.

Where they’re both strong:

  • Custodian partnerships: Both work with trusted IRA custodians to help facilitate the setup.

  • IRA-eligible metals: Customers can choose from IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

  • Secure storage: Metals are stored in fully insured, IRS-approved vaults.

  • Educational support: Both offer guidance to help customers select appropriate metals.

how to transfer to Lear Capital IRA

Where Lear Capital stands out:

  • All-in-one service: Lear handles everything—from paperwork to funding—making the process stress-free for beginners.

  • Personal account executive: Each client gets a dedicated expert who guides them throughout the IRA journey.

  • Fee waivers: Lear Capital waives storage and setup fees based on investment size (up to 3 years free for larger portfolios).

  • Fast setup: IRAs can be opened in one business day with fund transfers processed in under a week.

  • Storage clarity: Lear stores metals in Delaware Depository, a well-known facility with top-tier security.

Where JM Bullion stands out:

  • More global storage options: JM Bullion offers vault choices in Zurich, Singapore, and Toronto via TDS Vaults.

  • Investor-friendly tools: Live pricing, market sentiment trackers, and AutoBuy can help with IRA timing strategies.

  • Transparent fee structure: Setup, admin, and storage fees are clearly outlined.

While JM Bullion offers a more flexible platform with better digital tools, Lear Capital wins for those seeking hands-on service, speed, and value—especially for higher IRA investments.

IRA approved precious metals, JM Bullion

Final Verdict: Lear Capital vs JM Bullion

Lear Capital is ideal for investors seeking personalized support and a smooth IRA process. JM Bullion shines when it comes to convenience, digital tools, and flexible payments for direct metal buyers.

  • Ratings Winner: Lear Capital – Higher and more consistent reviews across all major platforms.

  • Best for Direct Purchase: JM Bullion – More flexible payment options, easier buying experience, and strong digital tools.

  • Best for Gold IRAs: Lear Capital – Full-service support, fee waivers, and quick setup make it our IRA choice.

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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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.