Customer Satisfaction: Who Ranks Higher?
Goldco leads when it comes to customer satisfaction. With a near-perfect 4.8 rating on Trustpilot and Google, plus thousands of 5-star reviews on BBB and Consumer Affairs, Goldco consistently earns praise for its responsive support and transparency.
Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
Trustpilot
| 4.8 (1,573 reviews) |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) | A+ | Accredited Since 2011 |
Consumer Affairs | 4.8 (1,688 reviews) |
Google Reviews | 4.9 (2,579 reviews) |
SD Bullion also scores well — especially for pricing and product selection — but its Trustpilot rating is slightly lower at 4.3, and its Sitejabber score (3.3) pulls its average down.
Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
Trustpilot
| 4.3 (2,648 reviews) |
Better Business Bureau (BBB) | A+ | Accredited Since 2014 |
Sitejabber | 3.3 (641 reviews) |
While both are trusted dealers, Goldco has the edge in ratings based on volume and consistency of positive reviews.
Buying Gold and Silver: Who Comes Out on Top?
When comparing SD Bullion and Lear Capital, both dealers provide solid product selection, insured delivery, and access to IRA-approved gold and silver. But there are key differences that could influence your decision:
Where they’re both strong:
Product range: Both dealers offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars, with IRA-eligible options.
Secure shipping: All orders are shipped fully insured, with tracking provided.
Reputation: Both have A+ BBB ratings and long-standing industry presence.
IRA services: Each company provides support for self-directed IRAs using trusted custodians.
Where SD Bullion stands out:
Flexible pricing & payments: SD Bullion offers steep discounts for wire and e-check payments, plus accepts Bitcoin and PayPal.
Lower entry barrier: No minimum purchase requirements for direct metal buying.
Real-time price lock: Lock in spot prices at checkout, even if payment is delayed.
More product variety: Includes copper, silver bullets, and fractional gold.
Where Lear Capital stands out:
- Price Match Guarantee: Will match lower competitor pricing on comparable products.
Customer satisfaction: Higher user ratings across Trustpilot (4.9), Consumer Affairs (5.0), and Google (4.7).
Dedicated support: Personal account executives guide every investor.
If you value low prices, flexible payments, and fast checkout, SD Bullion is a great pick and one of the best places to buy silver and gold online. But if service quality and personalized guidance matter most, Lear Capital might be the better fit.
Which Is Better for a Gold or Silver IRA?
Our preferred choice for precious metal IRAs is Lear Capital, thanks to its clear pricing, personal account support, and strong storage partnerships.
Both SD Bullion and Lear Capital offer reliable IRA services through approved custodians. But Lear stands out in several critical ways:
Fee transparency: Lear Capital publicly lists setup ($280), annual maintenance ($200), and storage costs—with generous waivers for larger accounts. SD Bullion doesn’t disclose IRA fees upfront.
Personal guidance: Every Lear investor gets a dedicated account executive, helping avoid rollover mistakes and selecting the right metals.
Storage benefits: Metals are stored in the IRS-approved Delaware Depository, with full insurance and 24/7 monitoring.
Processing speed: IRA accounts can be set up within 1–2 business days.
Reputation: Lear’s IRA experience and customer ratings outperform SD Bullion.
That said, SD Bullion is still a solid option. They partner with reputable custodians like Kingdom Trust and New Direction Trust and offer insured storage at SD Depository. You’ll also find a good selection of IRA-approved gold and silver coins.
But overall, Lear Capital provides a more streamlined and investor-friendly IRA experience, especially for those prioritizing clarity and hands-on support.
Summary: SD Bullion vs Lear Capital
When it comes to performance across different categories:
Ratings Winner: Lear Capital – Stronger user reviews and higher ratings across platforms.
Best for Direct Purchase: SD Bullion – Lower prices, flexible payment methods, and real-time pricing lock-in.
Best for IRA: Lear Capital – Transparent fees, better storage benefits, and expert support.
Overall, we recommend SD Bullion for cost-conscious investors buying physical metals directly, and Lear Capital for those setting up a Gold or Silver IRA with confidence and clarity.
