APMEX vs Hero Bullion

How These Dealers Compare

APMEX and Hero Bullion sit at opposite ends of the online precious metals spectrum. APMEX is the industry's largest dealer by product count, with 25+ years of operations, a BBB A+ rating, and a catalog of over 10,000 products. Hero Bullion launched in 2020 and competes by offering lower premiums on common bullion, a modern website, and the lowest free shipping threshold among major dealers.

The trade-off is classic: breadth and trust versus value and simplicity. Buyers who need rare coins, certified numismatics, or IRA services will gravitate toward APMEX. Buyers focused on getting the most metal per dollar on common products will find Hero Bullion compelling. Read our full APMEX review and Hero Bullion review for complete analysis.

Pricing: Hero Bullion Wins on Common Bullion

The premium gap between APMEX and Hero Bullion is substantial on popular products. A 1 oz American Gold Eagle at APMEX runs $40-75 over spot (check/wire), while the same coin at Hero Bullion prices at $25-50 over spot. That is $15-25 in savings per coin. On a 5-coin order, the savings total $75-125.

Silver premiums show a similar spread. Generic 1 oz silver rounds at APMEX price at $2.00-4.00 over spot versus $1.00-2.50 at Hero Bullion. On American Silver Eagles, APMEX's premiums run $3.00-6.00 over spot versus $2.50-5.00 at Hero Bullion. On a tube of 20 Silver Eagles, expect to save $10-20 at Hero Bullion.

Gold bars highlight the widest gap. A 1 oz gold bar from PAMP Suisse at APMEX typically costs $40-60 over spot, while the same bar at Hero Bullion runs $20-35 over spot. The $20-25 savings on a single gold bar is significant, and it compounds on multi-bar purchases.

On a monster box of 500 Silver Eagles, the premium difference between APMEX and Hero Bullion can exceed $250-500. That gap funds a meaningful amount of additional silver at current prices.

Where APMEX's pricing becomes competitive is on rare and specialty items. When only one dealer stocks a product, the price comparison is moot. For hard-to-find vintage coins, limited releases, and certified numismatics, APMEX often has inventory that Hero Bullion does not carry at all.

Track live premiums at both dealers on our premium tracker.

Product Selection: APMEX Is in a Different League

No comparison here. APMEX's 10,000+ products include every category imaginable: gold bars from 1 gram to 1 kilo across every major refiner, sovereign coins from active mints worldwide, fractional gold in every standard weight, junk silver by face value, platinum, palladium, certified numismatics, vintage US gold, and limited-edition releases.

Hero Bullion covers the essentials well. Gold bars and coins from major refiners, silver bars up to 100 oz, rounds, and major sovereign coins are all available. But the catalog is deliberately focused on high-volume bullion products. Limited fractional gold, minimal international coins beyond major sovereigns, and almost no numismatic or vintage inventory.

For the buyer assembling a diversified bullion portfolio of Eagles, bars, and rounds, Hero Bullion's selection is adequate. For the buyer seeking a 1/10 oz gold coin from a specific year, a pre-1933 $20 Liberty gold piece, or a Perth Mint limited release, APMEX is likely the only option between these two.

Website and Ordering Experience

Both dealers offer above-average websites by precious metals industry standards, but for different reasons. APMEX's site reflects 25 years of iteration. Filtering by metal, category, weight, mint, and price range is robust. Premium-over-spot sorting helps surface the best relative value. The mobile app adds price alerts and push notifications.

Hero Bullion's site is newer and cleaner. The modern design, consistent high-quality photography, and integrated educational content create a welcoming experience for first-time buyers. Product pages explain what buyers are purchasing, bridging the knowledge gap that intimidates newcomers.

APMEX accepts PayPal, which Hero Bullion does not. The APMEX rewards card provides 4% back on purchases, partially offsetting premium differences for loyal customers. Hero Bullion's payment options are more limited but cover the standard methods (credit, check, wire, crypto).

Shipping and Customer Service

Hero Bullion's $149 free shipping threshold beats APMEX's $199. Both ship insured via USPS or UPS, and both typically fulfill in-stock orders within 1-3 business days for card payments.

APMEX offers phone, email, and live chat support with extended hours. The support infrastructure is mature, handling high-volume periods without significant degradation. Hero Bullion provides responsive customer service with a reputation for being particularly helpful with newer buyers, though the support team is smaller.

Both operate buyback programs, but Hero Bullion requires a $5,000 minimum buyback transaction. APMEX has no stated minimum, making it more accessible for smaller liquidations.

The Bottom Line

Choose Hero Bullion if you buy common bullion products (Eagles, bars, rounds) and want the lowest premiums. Hero Bullion saves $15-40 per ounce on gold and $0.50-1.50 per ounce on silver versus APMEX. The modern website and low free shipping threshold make it especially appealing for newer buyers making smaller, regular purchases.

Choose APMEX if you need access to the widest product selection in the industry, value a 25-year track record with BBB A+ accreditation, or buy rare and collectible coins. APMEX is the right choice for experienced collectors, IRA investors, and buyers who want a single dealer for every precious metals need.

Many investors use both: APMEX for specialty items and Hero Bullion for routine bullion purchases. For live pricing data, visit our premium tracker. Browse all dealer reviews for additional options.

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