Digital Gold UK: Best Platforms Compared (2026)
BullionVault and DigiGold fees checked 17 September 2026. Sources: BullionVault tariff; DigiGold fees.
Published 2026-03-05 • Updated 2026-03-05
Digital gold lets you buy fractional ownership of real, physical gold stored in a secure vault — without the hassle of delivery, insurance, or storage at home. You can start from as little as £1 and buy or sell instantly via an app.
But not all platforms are equal. Fees range from 0.12% to over 1% per year for storage alone, and the tax treatment differs significantly from physical coins. This guide compares the three main digital gold platforms available to UK investors in 2026 and explains exactly who each one is best for.
What Is Digital Gold?
When you buy digital gold, a platform purchases physical gold on your behalf and stores it in a professional vault. You receive a digital record of your ownership — typically measured in grams or fractions of a gram. The gold is allocated (specific bars assigned to you) or pooled (you own a share of a larger holding), depending on the platform.
Key characteristics:
- Backed by physical gold — real bars in real vaults
- Fractional buying — invest from £1 to £1 million
- Instant liquidity — sell 24/7 on most platforms
- No home storage risk — vaulted and insured professionally
- VAT-free — qualifies as investment gold
Digital Gold Platforms Compared
| Feature | Royal Mint DigiGold | BullionVault | Glint Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | £25 | 1 gram of gold | £1 |
| Buy/Sell Fee | 0.5% buy; 1% sell | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Annual Storage | 0.5% + VAT/year | 0.12%/year; minimum $4/month | 0.02%/month |
| Physical Delivery | No | Yes | No |
| CGT-Free? | No | No | No |
| ISA/SIPP Eligible? | No | No | No |
| Regulation | Government-owned | Not FCA regulated | FCA e-money licence |
| Vault Locations | Llantrisant, Wales | London, Zurich, New York, Toronto, Singapore | Zurich (Brink's) |
| Best For | Beginners who value trust | Cost-conscious investors | Spending gold day-to-day |
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
Royal Mint DigiGold
The UK government's own mint offers DigiGold — fractional gold ownership starting from just £25. Your gold is stored at the Royal Mint's vault in Llantrisant, Wales, and you can buy and sell 24/7 via the Royal Mint website.
Strengths
- Government-owned — ultimate trust
- Separate coins and bars can be purchased for delivery; DigiGold cannot
- Mobile-friendly online account
- Free educational resources
Weaknesses
- Storage: 0.5% + VAT/year; compare minimum charges as well as rates
- Buying fee: 0.5%; selling fee: 1%
- Not CGT-free (unlike physical Sovereigns/Britannias)
Read our full Royal Mint Digital Gold (DigiGold) review for detailed fee breakdowns and product analysis.
BullionVault
BullionVault is a peer-to-peer gold marketplace where you buy real gold stored in professional vaults across 5 countries. It offers the lowest fees of any digital gold platform — 0.5% commission and just 0.12% annual storage.
Strengths
- Lowest fees: 0.5% commission, 0.12% storage
- Choose your vault: London, Zurich, New York, Toronto, Singapore
- Allocated ownership and a published daily reconciliation
- Also supports silver and platinum
Weaknesses
- Interface less polished than Royal Mint
- Peer-to-peer model can feel complex for beginners
- Physical withdrawal possible but expensive
Read our full BullionVault review for a detailed fee comparison and walkthrough.
Glint Pay
Glint Pay takes a different approach — it's a gold-backed payment app with a Mastercard debit card. You buy gold from £1, and you can spend it directly at any retailer that accepts Mastercard. The gold is stored in Brink's vaults in Zurich.
Strengths
- Spend gold directly via Mastercard
- Lowest entry: £1 minimum
- Also holds GBP, USD, EUR alongside gold
- Good for travellers (multi-currency)
Weaknesses
- No physical delivery option
- FX fees when spending in non-GBP currencies
- Less established than Royal Mint or BullionVault
Total Cost Comparison: £5,000 Invested for 5 Years
Fees compound over time. Here's what each platform would cost on a £5,000 investment held for 5 years, assuming no price change (fees only):
DigiGold custody: 0.5% + VAT/year
£150 custody over 5 years
Assumes a constant £5,000 holding and 20% VAT; excludes trading fees
Gold custody: 0.12%/year, minimum $4/month
$240 minimum custody over 5 years
Minimum applies to a £5,000 holding at typical exchange rates; excludes trading fees
Buy: ~£25 | Storage: ~£60 over 5yr
~£85 total
1.7% of investment
Compare minimum fees as well as annual percentages. BullionVault’s dollar-denominated minimum makes the sterling cost depend on exchange rates. These examples assume a constant metal value and exclude buy/sell costs; they are not live quotes.
Tax Treatment: Digital Gold vs Physical Coins
This is the biggest catch with digital gold. Unlike physical Sovereigns and Britannias, digital gold is NOT CGT-free.
| Tax | Digital Gold | Sovereigns/Britannias | Gold ETF (in ISA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAT on purchase | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| CGT on profits | 18-24% | 0% (exempt) | 0% (in ISA) |
| ISA/SIPP eligible | No | No | Yes |
| Physical ownership | Vaulted (delivery possible) | In your hands | No |
For larger investments where CGT matters, consider either CGT-free physical coins or a gold ETF inside an ISA. Digital gold sits in between — more convenient than physical coins but less tax-efficient than an ISA-wrapped ETF.
Which Digital Gold Platform Should You Choose?
Royal Mint DigiGold — if you want maximum trust
Best for beginners, first-time gold buyers, and anyone who values the security of a government-owned institution. Start from £25. DigiGold remains vaulted; physical coins require a separate purchase.
BullionVault — for allocated bullion trading
Compare its 0.12% annual gold custody rate and $4 monthly minimum for your intended holding. You can choose from five vault locations. Silver and platinum have separate custody charges.
Glint Pay — if you want to spend gold
Best for people who want gold as a savings vehicle they can tap into via a debit card. Not ideal for pure investment (no physical delivery, less established), but unique for gold-as-money use cases.
Compare BullionVault fees
Trade allocated gold in 1-gram increments. Order-board commission starts at 0.5%; gold custody costs 0.12% a year with a $4 monthly minimum.
Affiliate partner — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Gold prices can fall as well as rise.
Digital Gold vs Physical Gold vs Gold ETFs
Digital gold is just one way to invest. Here's how it compares to the other main options for UK investors:
| Factor | Digital Gold | Physical Coins/Bars | Gold ETF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | £1-£25 | ~£150+ (quarter sovereign) | ~£50 (fractional share) |
| Storage | Included (fee-based) | Your responsibility | Included in TER |
| Best tax treatment | CGT applies | CGT-free (legal tender) | CGT-free (in ISA) |
| Liquidity | Instant (24/7) | Need a buyer/dealer | Market hours |
| Counterparty risk | Low (allocated gold) | None | Low (ETC structure) |
For a complete overview of all gold investment options, see our guide to investing in gold in the UK.
Digital Gold UK: Frequently Asked Questions
What is digital gold?
Digital gold is fractional ownership of physical gold stored in a secure vault. You buy and sell via an app or website without ever handling the metal. Your holdings are backed by real gold bars, typically stored in London, Zurich, or at the Royal Mint in Wales.
Is digital gold safe in the UK?
Check the ownership, custody and insurance terms for each service. BullionVault provides outright ownership of allocated bullion and states that its service is not regulated by the FCA. Vaulting and insurance do not remove every risk.
Which is the best digital gold platform in the UK?
For beginners, Royal Mint DigiGold offers the most trusted entry point (from £25). For cost-conscious investors with larger sums, BullionVault has the lowest fees (0.5% commission, 0.12% annual storage). For spending gold day-to-day, Glint Pay offers a gold-backed Mastercard.
Is digital gold CGT-free?
No. Unlike physical Sovereigns and Britannias, digital gold (DigiGold, BullionVault, etc.) is subject to Capital Gains Tax. Profits above the annual CGT allowance (currently £3,000) are taxed at 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate). For CGT-free gold, buy physical coins that are UK legal tender.
What is the minimum investment for digital gold in the UK?
Royal Mint DigiGold starts from £25. BullionVault trades gold in 1-gram increments; the cash amount depends on the gold price. Glint Pay lets you buy from just £1. All three are significantly more accessible than buying a physical coin or bar.
Can I convert digital gold to physical gold?
It depends on the product. Royal Mint DigiGold cannot be delivered. Separately purchased Royal Mint coins and bars can be delivered. BullionVault permits physical withdrawals subject to fees, minimum quantities and verification.
Digital gold vs gold ETF — what's the difference?
With digital gold, you own actual physical gold in a vault. With a gold ETF, you own shares in a fund that tracks the gold price. ETFs can be held in ISAs and SIPPs (sheltering gains from CGT), while digital gold cannot. Digital gold offers physical delivery options; ETFs do not.
Is there VAT on digital gold?
No. Digital gold qualifies as investment gold and is VAT-free in the UK, just like physical gold bars and coins. You only pay VAT on storage fees where applicable (e.g. Royal Mint charges 0.5% + VAT for DigiGold storage).
Capital at risk. Not financial advice or a personal recommendation.
