American Hartford Gold vs Orion Metal Exchange. Which Is The Best?

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Last Updated on October 31, 2025

When planning for retirement, choosing the right Gold IRA provider can make the difference between financial stability and costly frustration.

Both American Hartford Gold and Orion Metal Exchange are trusted names in the precious metals industry, but their approaches, fees, and customer experiences differ in meaningful ways.

American Hartford Gold, founded in 2015, is known for its transparency, low barriers to entry, and guaranteed buyback program, making it a favorite among first-time precious metals investors.

Orion Metal Exchange, on the other hand, brings over two decades of industry experience and stands out for its diverse metal selection, competitive pricing, and personalized investment advice for both IRA and non-IRA buyers.

By the end of this comparison, you’ll understand how each company operates, what type of investor they best serve, and how to move forward with confidence, whether you prioritize simplicity, liquidity, or expert market guidance.

1. Quick Comparison Table

Feature	American Hartford Gold	Orion Metal Exchange
Founded	2015	2017
Minimum Investment	$10,000	~ $10,000 (recommended)
Fees	No setup fee; annual fees around $180 (custodian + storage)	$150–$225/year depending on storage and custodian
Metals Offered	Gold, Silver, Platinum (IRS-approved)	Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium
Buyback Policy	Guaranteed buyback at current market rates	Market-based buyback, flexible terms
BBB/Trustpilot Rating	BBB: A+/4.9	BBB: A+/4.8
Best For	Investors seeking transparency, simplicity, and guaranteed liquidity	Investors wanting flexibility, personalized guidance, and diversified metal options

2. Company Background & Trust Signals

American Hartford Gold

Founded in 2015, American Hartford Gold has become one of the fastest-growing and most recognized names in the Gold IRA industry.

The company is family-owned and based in Los Angeles, serving clients across the U.S. who want to protect their retirement savings from inflation and economic uncertainty.

Trust Signals & Recognition:

• BBB Rating: A+

• Trustpilot: 4.9/5 (based on 2,000+ verified reviews)

• Endorsements: Supported by respected public figures like Bill O’Reilly and Rick Harrison (Pawn Stars).

• Transparency: Known for its clear pricing model and no-pressure consultations, helping clients understand every step before they invest.

AHG’s reputation for honesty, education, and reliable buyback policies has positioned it as a top choice for retirees who prefer simplicity and transparency.

Orion Metal Exchange

Founded in 2017, Orion Metal Exchange was established by a team of industry veterans with over two decades of combined experience in precious metals.

The company is headquartered in Los Angeles and serves both retirement and private investors nationwide.

Trust Signals & Recognition:

• BBB Rating: A+

• Trustpilot: 4.8/5 (based on verified reviews)

• Accreditations: Recognized by Consumer Affairs and Business Consumer Alliance for ethical practices.

• Transparency: Provides real-time pricing and personalized guidance to help clients choose metals aligned with their financial goals.

Orion Metal Exchange has built credibility by combining industry expertise with personalized portfolio management, appealing to investors who want more control and flexibility over their precious metal holdings.

Takeaway:

3. Minimum Investment & Setup Process

American Hartford Gold

The minimum investment to open a Gold or Silver IRA with AHG is approximately $10,000.

For direct (purchase-for-delivery) metal buying (outside an IRA account), AHG lists a lower minimum, commonly around $5,000.

The setup process follows a typical three-step flow:

• Open a self-directed IRA account (or choose direct metal purchase).

• Fund/rollover your current retirement account or deposit funds for direct purchase.

• Select IRS-approved metals and arrange storage or delivery.

Setup time: Sources indicate the IRA transfer process can take as little as 24 hours, though transfer timing will depend on the originating custodian.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion’s minimum investment requirement is cited as $5,000 in some sources for a Gold IRA account.

Other sources report a recommended minimum of $10,000 for rollovers or full program participation.

The setup process is described as:

• Contact Orion’s IRA department to establish your account.

• Transfer/roll funds from an existing retirement account via trustee-to-trustee or direct funding.

• Choose metals and storage/depository arrangements.

Orion promotes a “fast and easy” accounting setup, with some clients reporting account creation in less than 15 minutes.

Takeaway:

4. Fees & Pricing Comparison

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold keeps its pricing transparent and competitive, one of the reasons it’s consistently praised by customers.

• Setup Fees: None

• Annual Maintenance & Storage Fees: Typically around $180 per year, covering both custodial and storage costs.

• Storage Options: Segregated and non-segregated options available through trusted partners such as Equity Trust and Delaware Depository.

• Hidden Fees: None, AHG clearly outlines all costs before funding your account.

• Promotions: Occasionally offers up to $10,000 in free silver for qualifying new accounts.

Investors appreciate that AHG doesn’t charge a percentage of assets, which keeps annual costs consistent as your portfolio grows.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange follows a similar structure but provides more flexibility in custodianship and storage.

• Setup Fees: May range from $50–$80 depending on custodian.

• Annual Maintenance & Storage Fees: Between $150–$225 depending on account type, custodian, and storage choice (segregated or non-segregated).

• Storage Partners: Works with multiple IRS-approved vaults in the U.S. and internationally, giving investors greater choice.

• Hidden Fees: None disclosed, pricing is discussed transparently before account setup.

• Promotions: Occasionally offers fee rebates for new accounts or rollover transfers.

OME’s pricing flexibility makes it appealing for investors who want to tailor storage and custodian choices to their preferences.

Takeaway:

5. Custodian & Storage Options

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold partners with Equity Trust Company, one of the most respected IRA custodians in the U.S., known for its secure handling of self-directed retirement accounts.

When it comes to storage, AHG offers flexibility and peace of mind through partnerships with Brinks Global Services and Delaware Depository, both IRS-approved facilities with robust insurance coverage underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.

Investors can choose between:

• Segregated storage: Your metals are stored separately under your name.

• Non-segregated storage: Your holdings are stored with other clients’ metals but tracked individually on record.

This structure ensures both affordability and security.

AHG’s straightforward storage options appeal to investors who value transparency and trusted institutions.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange offers one of the industry’s most flexible storage and custodian arrangements.

Investors can select from several IRS-approved custodians, including Equity Trust and STRATA Trust, and choose from domestic or international storage vaults.

OME partners with secure depositories such as:

• Brinks Global Services (U.S. and international locations)

• Delaware Depository

• IDS (International Depository Services)

What sets Orion apart is its option for home storage for cash purchases (non-IRA metals).

While IRS rules prohibit home storage for IRA assets, OME educates investors clearly on compliant options.

Takeaway:

6. Metals Selection & Flexibility

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold offers a strong lineup of IRS-approved precious metals eligible for both IRAs and direct purchase. Its catalog includes a wide selection of:

• Gold: American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Kangaroo, and other IRA-approved coins and bars.

• Silver: Silver Eagles, Silver Maple Leafs, and various rounds and bars.

• Platinum & Palladium: Select availability upon request for IRA-eligible clients.

Investors can buy metals for both retirement accounts (IRAs) and direct home delivery, offering flexibility for those who want to diversify outside of tax-advantaged accounts.

AHG also provides live market pricing and updates, helping investors lock in metals at the best available rates.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange is known for its broad precious metals catalog and flexibility across investment types.

Clients can choose from an extensive range of:

• Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium in both coin and bar forms.

• A wide selection of internationally recognized coins, including the American Eagle, Austrian Philharmonic, South African Krugerrand, and more.

• Exclusive collector and limited-mintage products, appealing to investors who value premium-grade metals.

OME caters to both IRA and non-IRA investors, allowing direct purchases for home delivery or international vault storage.

Its flexibility attracts both traditional retirement investors and active precious metals traders.

Takeaway:

7. Buyback Program & Liquidity

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold offers one of the most reliable and transparent buyback programs in the industry.

Investors can sell their metals back to the company at any time without penalties or complicated paperwork.

• Buyback Guarantee: AHG guarantees to buy back metals at competitive market rates, providing peace of mind and easy liquidity.

• Process: Investors can initiate a sale directly through their account representative, AHG arranges the logistics and ensures prompt payment.

• No Hidden Fees: There are no repurchase commissions or administrative costs deducted from your sale.

This straightforward process gives investors confidence that their gold and silver can be easily liquidated if financial needs or market conditions change.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange also maintains a strong buyback policy, giving investors flexibility to sell their holdings conveniently through the same company that helped them buy.

• Buyback Policy: Orion offers competitive buyback pricing based on current market conditions.

• Speed & Transparency: Their staff provides real-time quotes, ensuring investors know exactly what to expect before completing a transaction.

• Market Liquidity: With a vast network of suppliers and dealers, OME ensures smooth liquidity for both IRA and non-IRA investors.

Orion’s reputation for fair pricing and customer-first service helps reassure investors who may need to liquidate quickly or rebalance portfolios.

Takeaway:

8. Education & Customer Support

American Hartford Gold

American Hartford Gold places a strong emphasis on education and personalized guidance, helping new investors understand every step of the precious metals IRA process.

• Free Gold IRA Kit: Includes detailed guides on diversification, IRS rules, and how to avoid common investment mistakes.

• Personal Account Representatives: Each client is assigned a dedicated specialist who provides one-on-one support — from account setup to ongoing portfolio updates.

• Investor Resources: AHG regularly updates its blog and newsletter with market insights, price trends, and inflation reports to help clients make informed decisions.

• Customer Support: Available by phone and email during extended business hours with consistently high satisfaction ratings.

This commitment to education and service makes AHG especially appealing to first-time gold investors who value hand-holding and ongoing guidance.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange is also deeply committed to investor education, offering an impressive collection of tools for both beginners and experienced investors.

• Investor Resources: Detailed guides and articles on precious metal trends, IRA rollovers, and market forecasts.

• Transparent Consultations: Non-commissioned specialists provide unbiased advice to help clients choose metals based on goals — not sales targets.

• Ongoing Account Support: Investors can reach their account reps easily for updates, buyback inquiries, or portfolio adjustments.

• Customer Accessibility: Support is known for being fast, professional, and focused on long-term client relationships.

OME’s educational depth and advisory approach appeal to investors who prefer informed autonomy rather than hand-holding, giving them the confidence to make independent, data-driven decisions.

Takeaway:

9. Pros & Cons and Who Each Company is Best For

American Hartford Gold

• No account setup fees and simple, transparent pricing.

• A+ BBB rating and 4.9/5 Trustpilot score backed by thousands of verified reviews.

• Strong focus on education and personal guidance for beginners.

• Guaranteed buyback program ensures easy liquidation.

• Secure storage with top depositories like Brinks and Delaware Depository.

• No online pricing for all metals (must call for current rates).

• Limited international storage options compared to Orion.

Best For:

• American Hartford Gold is best for first-time gold IRA investors and conservative retirees who value simplicity, transparency, and a fully guided investment process.

• It’s an excellent choice for anyone seeking a trusted, low-barrier entry into precious metals investing.

Orion Metal Exchange

• Wide selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, including collectible and international coins.

• Multiple custodians and depository options, both domestic and international.

• Transparent, flexible pricing structure with real-time quotes.

• Non-commissioned advisors offering unbiased consultations.

• Strong reputation for client education and responsiveness.

• Setup fees may apply depending on custodian choice.

• Pricing slightly more complex due to customizable options.

Best For:

• Orion Metal Exchange is ideal for experienced investors or those seeking flexibility in custodian, storage, and metal selection.

• It’s a great fit for investors who want more control and customization in building a diversified, global metals portfolio.

10. Conclusion

When comparing American Hartford Gold and Orion Metal Exchange, both stand out as credible and client-focused Gold IRA providers, yet each shines in different areas.

American Hartford Gold emphasizes trust, simplicity, and accessibility, making it a top choice for investors who prefer a straightforward path to precious metals ownership.

Its flat fees, buyback guarantee, and personalized guidance make it ideal for retirees and first-time investors who want peace of mind without complexity.

Orion Metal Exchange, meanwhile, delivers flexibility and breadth, offering multiple custodians, international vaults, and a wide array of metals and collectible coins.

It’s better suited for experienced investors seeking customization, market control, and global diversification.

Both companies provide free, no-obligation investor kits packed with valuable insights and retirement planning tools.

11. FAQ