BullionByPost
Best overallUK's largest online dealer with 1.3M+ orders delivered
- Free insured next-day delivery
- Widest UK silver selection
- CGT-free Britannias
- Price match guarantee
- Live pricing updates
Free next day
£40
Why #1?
BullionByPost dominates the UK silver market with the widest selection, free next-day delivery, and consistently competitive premiums. Their scale (1.3M+ orders) means excellent buying power and reliable service that smaller dealers can't match.
The Royal Mint
Best for authenticityOfficial UK government mint — 100% authentic guaranteed
- DigiSilver from £25
- The Vault™ secure storage option
- First access to new releases
- Unquestionable authenticity
- Premium presentation
Free
£25
Why #2?
The Royal Mint offers unmatched authenticity and their DigiSilver product is great for beginners. However, slightly higher premiums and a more limited range of third-party products keep them in second place behind BullionByPost.
Atkinsons Bullion
Lowest premiums30+ years experience with excellent pre-owned selection
- Pre-owned silver at lower premiums
- VAT Margin Scheme savings
- Competitive buy-back prices
- Family-run, personal service
- Highest Trustpilot rating
Free over £500
£100
Why #3?
Atkinsons has the best customer ratings in our entire list, and their pre-owned silver offers real savings through VAT Margin Scheme. The higher minimum order (£100) and delivery threshold limit accessibility, keeping them third.
Chards
Best for coinsLBMA members with excellent rare coin selection
- LBMA accredited dealer
- Excellent for rare silver coins
- Expert numismatic advice
- Competitive standard bullion pricing
- International shipping
Free over £250
£50
Why #4?
Chards is the go-to for collectors seeking rare silver coins, with LBMA accreditation adding trust. For standard bullion, they're competitive but not market-leading, which positions them solidly in fourth.
Hatton Garden Metals
Best for storageFree storage on orders over £2,500
- Free allocated storage option
- Central London showroom
- Good bar selection
- Competitive large order pricing
- Professional service
Free over £2,500
£100
Why #5?
Hatton Garden Metals excels for larger silver purchases with their free storage option. However, the high threshold (£2,500) and London-centric model makes them less accessible for typical retail investors.
Gold.co.uk
Best for beginnersGood educational content and transparent pricing
- Clear educational resources
- Real-time silver price charts
- Good for beginners
- Competitive pricing
- BNTA member
Free over £500
£100
Why #6?
Gold.co.uk provides excellent resources for newcomers to silver investing. Their educational approach is commendable, but smaller scale means they can't match the pricing or selection of larger competitors.
BullionVault
Best for large ordersBest for larger silver investments with vault storage
- Wholesale market pricing
- Professional vault storage
- Allocated, audited silver
- Low ongoing fees
- Easy trading platform
Vault storage
£20
Why #7?
BullionVault offers the lowest premiums for large silver investments, but their vault-only model means you never hold physical silver. Great for £5k+ investments, but not for stackers who want metal in hand.
The Silver Forum Shop
Community favouriteCommunity-trusted dealer with competitive pricing
- Community recommended
- Competitive silver premiums
- Good customer service
- Regular special offers
- Silver specialist
From £5.95
£50
at thesilverforumshop.com
Why #8?
The Silver Forum Shop has a loyal community following and genuinely cares about silver stackers. Smaller scale and limited marketing means less competitive pricing than major dealers, but excellent for community-minded buyers.
Baird & Co
Best for provenanceUK's only LBMA-accredited refinery
- Own-brand refined bars
- LBMA Good Delivery
- Trade accounts available
- Competitive wholesale pricing
- Professional service
From £9.95
£250
at bairdmint.com
Why #9?
Baird & Co is the UK's only LBMA silver refiner, giving their bars unquestionable provenance. However, their wholesale focus means retail customers don't get the best pricing or service experience.
Bleyer Bullion
Best for personal serviceGood selection with personal service
- Personal account management
- Good coin selection
- Competitive pricing
- Storage options
- Regular market updates
From £7.50
£100
at bleyerbullion.co.uk
Why #10?
Bleyer offers a personal touch with dedicated account managers, which some buyers value highly. However, their smaller operation means less competitive pricing and a narrower selection than top-tier dealers.
Quick answer
The best UK silver dealer in 2026 is BullionByPost, scoring 9.8/10 for its free next-day delivery, widest selection, and competitive premiums despite silver's 20% VAT. Atkinsons (9.2/10) offers the best prices on pre-owned silver through their VAT Margin Scheme.
How we test & rank
We assessed each dealer on five criteria: Pricing (premiums above spot price), Selection (range of silver coins, bars, and sizes), Delivery (speed, cost, and packaging quality), Service (response times, helpfulness), and Trustworthiness (reviews, longevity, industry credentials).
Summary
For most UK investors buying silver, BullionByPost offers the best overall package. But don't overlook The Royal Mint for storage solutions or Atkinsons for pre-owned bargains. Whatever you choose, stick with established dealers who have verifiable track records.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK silver dealer has the lowest premiums?
For new silver, BullionByPost and Chards typically offer competitive premiums. However, Atkinsons often has the best prices on pre-owned silver, which can be 5-10% cheaper than new with the same silver content.
Is silver subject to VAT in the UK?
Yes, unlike gold, silver is subject to 20% VAT in the UK. This applies to all silver bullion including coins and bars. Some dealers offer VAT Margin Scheme items (pre-owned) which can reduce the effective VAT you pay.
What is the best silver to buy for investment?
Silver Britannias are popular for UK investors due to their CGT-free status and legal tender status. For pure value, silver bars have lower premiums per ounce. Consider your storage capacity—silver is bulkier than gold for the same value.
How do I sell silver back in the UK?
Most dealers on our list offer buy-back services. Atkinsons and BullionByPost are known for competitive buy-back prices. Always get quotes from multiple dealers and compare to the spot price to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Quick comparison
| # | Dealer | Score | Rating | Delivery | Min order | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BullionByPost Best overall | 9.8 | 4.8 | Free next day | £40 | Visit |
| 2 | The Royal Mint Best for authenticity | 9.4 | 4.7 | Free | £25 | Visit |
| 3 | Atkinsons Bullion Lowest premiums | 9.2 | 4.9 | Free over £500 | £100 | Visit |
| 4 | Chards Best for coins | 9.0 | 4.6 | Free over £250 | £50 | Visit |
| 5 | Hatton Garden Metals Best for storage | 8.7 | 4.5 | Free over £2,500 | £100 | Visit |
| 6 | Gold.co.uk Best for beginners | 8.5 | 4.4 | Free over £500 | £100 | Visit |
| 7 | BullionVault Best for large orders | 8.3 | 4.3 | Vault storage | £20 | Visit |
| 8 | The Silver Forum Shop Community favourite | 8.1 | 4.4 | From £5.95 | £50 | Visit |
| 9 | Baird & Co Best for provenance | 7.9 | 4.2 | From £9.95 | £250 | Visit |
| 10 | Bleyer Bullion Best for personal service | 7.7 | 4.1 | From £7.50 | £100 | Visit |
Scores out of 10 based on our testing. Ratings reflect verified customer reviews.