BullionByPost
Best dealerUK's #1 gold dealer — best for physical coins and bars
- Free insured next-day delivery on all orders
- Widest UK gold selection
- CGT-free Britannias and Sovereigns
- Price match guarantee
Coins & Bars
Free next day
£40
at bullionbypost.co.uk
Why #1?
BullionByPost is the best way to buy physical gold in the UK. Free next-day delivery, the widest selection, and 42,000+ reviews make them unbeatable for coins and bars. CGT-free options (Britannias, Sovereigns) are a key UK advantage.
iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN)
Best ETFThe most liquid gold ETC — lowest cost portfolio exposure
- Ultra-low 0.12% TER
- Highest liquidity of any UK gold ETC
- Available in ISAs and SIPPs
- BlackRock institutional backing
ETF
0.12%
IGLN
at ishares.com
Why #2?
iShares IGLN is the easiest and cheapest way to add gold to your portfolio. At 0.12% annual cost, it's far cheaper than physical storage. Perfect for ISA/SIPP investors who want gold exposure without the hassle.
BullionVault
Best vault storageProfessional vault storage at just 0.12%/year across 5 locations
- Ultra-low 0.12% annual storage
- 5 global vault locations
- 24/7 online trading
- Daily independent audits
Storage
0.12%/year
5 global vaults
at bullionvault.com
Why #3?
BullionVault bridges the gap between physical ownership and ETFs — you own real allocated gold bars in professional vaults, but trade online like an ETF. The 0.12% storage fee is unmatched.
The Royal Mint
Best for trustGovernment-backed dealer with vault storage and DigiGold
- Official UK government mint
- DigiGold from £25
- The Vault™ storage option
- CGT-free Britannias
Dealer + Storage
Free
£25
at royalmint.com
Why #4?
The Royal Mint uniquely offers physical sales, fractional DigiGold, AND vault storage. If trust and authenticity are your top priorities, no one can compete with the official UK government mint.
Invesco Physical Gold ETC (SGLD)
Best ETF valueMatching the cheapest TER with the largest AUM globally
- Joint-lowest 0.12% TER
- Largest gold ETC by global AUM
- ISA/SIPP eligible
- Invesco institutional quality
ETF
0.12%
SGLD
at invesco.com
Why #5?
Invesco SGLD matches iShares on cost and has even larger global AUM. An excellent ETF alternative or complement to IGLN for investors who want provider diversification.
The Royal Mint Vault
Most secure vaultGovernment-backed vault security for your gold
- Government facility security
- DigiGold fractional access
- Physical delivery option
- Full insurance
Storage
1%/year + VAT
Wales, UK
at royalmint.com
Why #6?
For investors who want vault storage with the ultimate security guarantee, the Royal Mint Vault is stored in a government facility. Higher fees than BullionVault but unmatched institutional trust.
Atkinsons Bullion
Best for valueHighest-rated dealer with excellent pre-owned gold
- Pre-owned gold at lower premiums
- Highest Trustpilot rating (4.9)
- 30+ years family-run
- Competitive buy-back prices
Coins & Bars
Free over £500
£100
at atkinsonsbullion.com
Why #7?
Atkinsons has the highest customer rating in the entire UK market (4.9 stars). Their pre-owned gold offers 5-10% savings, making them the value pick for physical gold buyers.
WisdomTree Core Physical Gold (WGLD)
Budget ETFJoint-cheapest ETF option with strong WisdomTree brand
- Ultra-low 0.12% TER
- Responsibly sourced gold
- WisdomTree quality
- ISA/SIPP eligible
ETF
0.12%
WGLD
at wisdomtree.eu
Why #8?
WisdomTree WGLD matches the cheapest TER and adds responsible sourcing. Good as a third ETF provider for diversification or as a primary choice for cost-focused investors.
Brinks
Best securityWorld-class vault security used by central banks
- LBMA-approved London vaults
- World-leading security infrastructure
- Used by central banks
- Full Lloyd's insurance
Storage
London
Via partner
at brinks.com
Why #9?
Brinks provides the highest level of physical security available — the same vaults used by central banks and LBMA members. Access through BullionVault and other dealer partnerships.
GoldCore
Best allocatedFully allocated gold in multiple global jurisdictions
- Fully allocated and segregated
- London, Zurich, Singapore vaults
- Independent audits
- Delivery option
Storage
London, Zurich, Singapore
0.50%/year
at goldcore.com
Why #10?
GoldCore specialises in allocated gold where specific bars are assigned to you. Multiple jurisdiction options add diversification that no ETF can match. Best for those wanting allocated physical gold in professional vaults.
Quick answer
The best overall gold investment option in the UK for 2026 is BullionByPost for physical purchases (9.8/10), iShares Physical Gold ETC for ETF exposure (9.7/10), and BullionVault for vault storage (9.5/10). Your choice depends on whether you want to hold gold, trade it, or store it professionally.
How we test & rank
We rank the best gold investment options across all categories based on value for money, ease of use, security, and suitability for UK investors. Each entry is compared on a unified 10-point scale.
Summary
For hands-on investors who want physical gold, BullionByPost leads. For hassle-free portfolio exposure, iShares IGLN is hard to beat. For large investments with professional storage, BullionVault offers the lowest fees. Many investors use a combination of all three approaches.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy physical gold, gold ETFs, or use vault storage?
It depends on your priorities. Physical gold (coins/bars) gives you direct ownership and CGT advantages with Britannias/Sovereigns. Gold ETFs are cheapest for portfolio exposure (0.12%/year) and ideal for ISAs/SIPPs. Vault storage combines physical ownership with professional security. Many investors use all three.
Which is cheapest: physical gold, ETFs, or vault storage?
Gold ETFs are cheapest for ongoing costs (0.12%/year). Physical gold has no ongoing costs but higher upfront premiums (3-5% above spot). Vault storage charges 0.12-1%/year but you own allocated gold bars. For small amounts or ISA use, ETFs win on cost. For large amounts held long-term, physical gold's zero ongoing cost is attractive.
Is gold tax-free in the UK?
Investment gold (coins and bars) is VAT-free in the UK. Gold Britannias and Sovereigns are also CGT-free (Capital Gains Tax exempt) because they're legal tender. Gold ETFs and vault gold ARE subject to CGT on gains above your annual allowance. This makes Britannias uniquely tax-efficient for UK investors.
Quick comparison
| # | Option | Score | Rating | Delivery | Min order | TER | Ticker | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BullionByPost Best dealer | 9.8 | 4.8 | Free next day | £40 | — | — | Coins & Bars | Visit |
| 2 | iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN) Best ETF | 9.7 | 4.8 | — | — | 0.12% | IGLN | ETF | Visit |
| 3 | BullionVault Best vault storage | 9.5 | 4.6 | — | — | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 4 | The Royal Mint Best for trust | 9.4 | 4.7 | Free | £25 | — | — | Dealer + Storage | Visit |
| 5 | Invesco Physical Gold ETC (SGLD) Best ETF value | 9.3 | 4.7 | — | — | 0.12% | SGLD | ETF | Visit |
| 6 | The Royal Mint Vault Most secure vault | 9.2 | 4.7 | — | — | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 7 | Atkinsons Bullion Best for value | 9.1 | 4.9 | Free over £500 | £100 | — | — | Coins & Bars | Visit |
| 8 | WisdomTree Core Physical Gold (WGLD) Budget ETF | 9.0 | 4.6 | — | — | 0.12% | WGLD | ETF | Visit |
| 9 | Brinks Best security | 8.9 | 4.5 | — | — | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 10 | GoldCore Best allocated | 8.8 | 4.4 | — | — | — | — | Storage | Visit |
Scores out of 10 based on our testing. Ratings reflect verified customer reviews.