BullionVault Review UK 2026
BullionVault is the world's largest online gold investment service, offering a peer-to-peer marketplace for buying, selling, and storing physical gold at wholesale prices. We analyse fees, security, and whether it is the right platform for UK investors.
4.7
out of 5
BullionVault is best suited for investors with £1,000.00+ who want the lowest possible costs and do not need physical possession of their gold. If you are comfortable with a trading-style interface and prioritise value over simplicity, BullionVault is hard to beat.
However, if you are a complete beginner, want CGT-free coins, or prefer a simpler app-based experience, the Royal Mint or BullionByPost may suit you better.
Capital at risk. Not financial advice or a personal recommendation.
Pros and Cons
Lowest trading fees in the UK market
Commission starts at just 0.5% and drops to 0.05% for high-volume traders - far cheaper than any physical gold dealer.
Extremely low storage costs
Annual storage of 0.12% is amongst the cheapest available, with gold held in insured, LBMA-accredited vaults.
Live peer-to-peer trading
Buy and sell gold 24/7 on a live order book, similar to a stock exchange. You set your own price or accept the best available.
Daily independent audit
Every gold bar is verified against every customer holding each day. The audit results are published publicly online.
Multiple vault locations worldwide
Choose to store your gold in London, Zurich, New York, Toronto, or Singapore for geographic diversification.
Established track record
Operating since 2005 with over 110,000 customers and more than $4 billion in client assets under custody.
Steep learning curve for beginners
The trading interface resembles a financial trading platform, which can be intimidating if you have never used one before.
No CGT-free coin options
BullionVault deals in wholesale bars, not UK legal tender coins. Your profits will be subject to Capital Gains Tax.
Minimum storage fee of $4/month
For small holdings, the flat minimum monthly charge means your effective storage rate is higher than the headline 0.12%.
Physical withdrawal can be costly
Taking delivery of your gold involves fabrication and shipping fees. Most users keep their gold in the vault.
How BullionVault Works
Unlike traditional gold dealers where you buy at a fixed price, BullionVault operates a peer-to-peer marketplace similar to a stock exchange. You place orders to buy or sell gold, and these are matched with other users on the platform.
Open an account and fund it
Registration is free. You transfer funds via bank transfer (GBP, USD, or EUR). There is no minimum deposit, but you will need enough to cover at least one gram of gold plus commission.
Place your order on the live market
Choose your vault location (London, Zurich, New York, Toronto, or Singapore) and place a buy order. You can accept the current best price or set a limit order at your preferred price.
Your gold is stored in LBMA-accredited vaults
Once purchased, your gold is held in professional vaults operated by Brink's, Loomis, or Malca-Amit. All gold is in the form of London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery bars - the global wholesale standard.
Daily audit confirms your ownership
Each day, independent auditors verify every bar in every vault and reconcile it against every customer's holding. The results are published on the BullionVault website, so you can confirm your gold exists at any time.
Vault Locations
London
Brink's
Zurich
Loomis
New York
Brink's
Toronto
Brink's
Singapore
Malca-Amit
BullionVault Fees Explained
One of BullionVault's strongest selling points is its low fee structure. Here is a complete breakdown of what you will pay:
| Annual Trading Volume | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $75,000 | 0.50% |
| $75,000 - $750,000 | 0.10% |
| Over $750,000 | 0.05% |
For most UK investors buying and holding, the 0.5% commission applies. This is still significantly cheaper than the 2-5% premiums charged by most physical gold dealers.
Annual rate
0.12%
of gold value per year
Monthly minimum
$4/month
per vault location used
Worked Example: Buying £5,000.00 of Gold
Compare this with buying £5,000.00 of physical gold from a dealer at a 4% premium (£200.00) - BullionVault saves you approximately £169.00 in the first year alone.
Is BullionVault Safe?
Security is paramount when storing significant value in gold. BullionVault employs multiple layers of protection:
Every bar in every vault is reconciled against every customer's ownership record each day. This is conducted independently and the results are published publicly. No other gold platform offers this level of transparency.
All gold is held as LBMA Good Delivery bars - the international wholesale standard. These bars have a fully documented chain of custody and are accepted worldwide. Each bar is individually serial-numbered and weighed.
Gold is stored in vaults operated by the world's leading security companies - Brink's, Loomis, and Malca-Amit. These are the same firms used by central banks and major financial institutions.
By default, gold is held on a pooled (shared) basis for cost efficiency. However, larger investors can opt for segregated storage where specific bars are allocated solely to their account for an additional fee.
What happens if BullionVault goes bust?
Your gold is legally your property, held under a bailment arrangement, not on BullionVault's balance sheet. If the company were to become insolvent, your gold would not form part of their assets for creditors. An independent trustee would arrange the return of your gold or its cash value.
BullionVault vs Royal Mint
These are the two most popular vaulted gold platforms for UK investors. Here is how they compare on the key factors:
| Feature | BullionVault | Royal Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Cost | 0.5% commission | ~2-4% spread (DigiGold) |
| Storage Cost | 0.12% per year ($4/mo min) | 1% + VAT per year |
| Minimum Investment | ~1 gram (~£116.78) | £25.00 |
| Products | Gold, silver, platinum bars | DigiGold, coins, bars |
| CGT-Free Options | No | Yes (Britannia coins) |
| Ease of Use | ||
| Mobile App | Functional but dated | Modern and polished |
| Vault Locations | 5 countries | UK only |
| Best For | Cost-conscious investors, £1,000.00+ | Beginners, CGT-free coins, small amounts |
Choose BullionVault if...
- - You are investing £1,000.00 or more
- - You want the absolute lowest fees
- - You are comfortable with a trading-style platform
- - You want international vault diversification
Choose Royal Mint if...
- - You are new to gold investing
- - You want CGT-free Britannia coins
- - You prefer a simple, modern app
- - You are starting with less than £1,000.00
Tax Considerations for BullionVault Users
Understanding the tax treatment of your BullionVault gold is essential for calculating your true returns. Here are the key points for UK investors:
Gold held on BullionVault is not exempt from Capital Gains Tax. Unlike UK legal tender coins (Britannias, Sovereigns), BullionVault gold bars are treated as a chargeable asset by HMRC.
- Annual CGT allowance is currently £3,000.00 (2025/26 tax year)
- Basic rate taxpayers pay 10% CGT on gains above the allowance
- Higher rate taxpayers pay 20% CGT on gains above the allowance
If CGT exemption is important to your strategy, consider buying CGT-free UK gold coins instead.
- No VAT on investment gold purchased through BullionVault (investment gold is VAT-exempt in the UK)
- No Income Tax on gold itself (gold does not pay interest or dividends)
- If you trade gold frequently for profit, HMRC could treat your activity as trading income rather than capital gains
For a comprehensive guide on gold taxation, see our tax-free gold UK guide. We also cover how Gold ISAs can provide a tax-efficient wrapper for gold ETF investments.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use BullionVault
- Investors putting in £1,000.00 or more
- Cost-conscious buyers who want the best value
- Regular traders who want a live marketplace
- Those wanting geographic vault diversification
- Experienced investors comfortable with trading platforms
- Long-term holders who want low ongoing costs
- Are brand new to gold investing (try Royal Mint)
- Want CGT-free coins (try BullionByPost)
- Prefer physical gold in hand (try Hatton Garden Metals)
- Are investing under £500.00 (minimum fees bite)
- Want a slick mobile-first experience
- Need ISA tax wrapper (try gold ETFs instead)
See our full platform comparison to find the best option for your situation, or explore gold ETFs for an ISA-friendly alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, BullionVault is a legitimate and well-established gold trading platform founded in 2005. It stores over $4 billion in precious metals for 110,000+ users globally. Gold is held in LBMA-accredited vaults in London, Zurich, New York, Toronto, and Singapore. An independent daily audit verifies every bar against every customer's holding.
BullionVault charges a 0.5% commission on trades (reducing to as low as 0.05% for high-volume traders), plus 0.12% per year for storage (with a minimum of $4 per month). There are no account opening fees or inactivity charges. Physical withdrawal costs start from around $150 depending on the amount and location.
BullionVault offers significantly lower fees (0.5% commission vs 2-4% premiums at Royal Mint) and cheaper storage (0.12% vs 1% + VAT). However, Royal Mint provides CGT-free Britannia coins, is easier for beginners, and has a more user-friendly mobile app. BullionVault is better for cost-conscious investors with larger amounts, whilst Royal Mint suits beginners and those wanting physical coins.
No, gold held on BullionVault is not exempt from Capital Gains Tax. Unlike UK legal tender coins such as Britannias and Sovereigns, BullionVault gold bars are treated as a chargeable asset. You may owe CGT on any profits exceeding your annual allowance (currently $3,000 for 2025/26). If CGT exemption is important to you, consider platforms that sell UK coins.
Yes, you can request physical withdrawal of your gold from BullionVault, but it involves costs and minimum amounts. You will need at least one 100g bar (or equivalent) for withdrawal. Delivery fees vary by vault location and amount but typically start from around $150. Most BullionVault users prefer to keep their gold in the vault for cost and security reasons.
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ViewFounder & Market Researcher
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