The checklist
- Who sells the gold? The app is usually a front for a gold company or refiner. Find its name.
- Who holds it? A named vault custodian should store physical gold for every gram you own.
- Is there an independent trustee? A trustee protects buyers' gold if the seller fails.
- Are vault audits published? Look for regular, independent audit reports.
- What's the buy-sell spread? The gap between the buying and selling price, on top of 3% GST, is your real cost. Check both prices at the same moment.
- How long can you hold it? Some platforms limit how long gold stays in the vault before you must sell it or take delivery, or charge for storage after a while.
- Delivery costs. Converting to coins or bars usually adds making and delivery charges.
- How do you sell? Check how fast the money reaches your bank, and any minimum amount.
What no app can give you
Digital gold isn't regulated by SEBI or the RBI. Since 2021, stockbrokers haven't been allowed to sell it. There's no deposit insurance and no regulator to complain to: the checks above are all you have.
Tax
The same as jewellery: 12.5% on the gain after 24 months, your slab rate before. Keep the app's purchase records: they're your cost when you sell.
Regulated alternatives
Gold ETFs and gold mutual funds are regulated by SEBI, have no GST, and gold ETFs are long term after 12 months. See all the options compared.
We don't rank or recommend apps: their terms change, and this isn't investment advice.
Common questions
Which is the best digital gold app?
We don't rank apps: their terms change. Check the seller, custodian, trustee, audits, spread, holding limits and selling process before you choose.
Is my digital gold safe if the app shuts down?
That depends on the custodian and trustee arrangement. Digital gold isn't regulated and has no deposit insurance.
What is the real cost of digital gold?
3% GST when you buy, plus the gap between the platform's buy and sell prices.
Can I convert digital gold to physical gold?
Usually yes, as coins or bars, with making and delivery charges.
Two ways to sort this
Do it yourself
- Find the seller, custodian and trustee behind the app.
- Compare the buy and sell price at the same time.
- Read the holding limit and storage terms.
- Keep the purchase records.
Let an expert do it
We report your digital gold gains correctly when you sell.
The first chat is freeWork it out for yourself
- SGB vs digital gold: Gold bonds or digital gold, after tax.
- Gold tax: Tax when you sell or exchange gold jewellery, coins or digital gold.
See what digital gold leaves you after GST and tax.
Open the gold comparison calculatorSources
- SEBI and NSE stop brokers selling digital gold (August 2021), MediaNama
- Tax rules for salaried individuals, AY 2026-27, Income Tax Department
This guide explains the rules in general. For your own situation, .