Best Gold IRA Companies

Deciding on a gold IRA company isn't easy. The process of putting gold into an IRA can be confusing and overwhelming. Gold IRA companies exist to help you, so precious metals are more accessible to people without a financial background.

As with any topic related to finance and retirement, it's important to be wary of scammers. And even legitimate companies sometimes don't have the best policies. That's why we've put together a list of the top precious metals companies to invest with.

These are all dealers who sell IRS-approved precious metals for your IRA. Some have other services as well. They also tend to partner with a variety of custodial groups, so your account is managed by a licensed entity.

Our picks for the top 4 gold IRA companies are:

The right one for you will vary depending on your needs. But all of these companies have a stellar reputation and reasonable pricing.

#1. Goldco

Goldco easily makes the list of the top gold IRA companies due to its excellent reputation and setup. Not only does the company receive universal praise from past customers, but it also has good reviews from past employees. The only potential drawback is that there is a somewhat high minimum investment of $25,000.

Goldco was founded in 2006 and now boasts more than 15 years of experience. The company operates out of California and specializes in precious metals IRAs. There are also promotions available for new investors. For example, new investors can have their first year fees waived, as well as get 10% in silver coins back.

The company's advisors don't use pushy sales tactics. There is no "hard sell" here. Instead, they give you the information you need to make the right purchase for you. Like with many other good precious metals companies, Goldco focuses on education above all else.

Services Available

Goldco has a wide number of services available to their customers. As mentioned, they specialize in precious metals IRAs. But if you want to make a personal purchase for your normal investment portfolio, you can.

All of the items sold are compatible with an IRA. This is important because the IRS has imposed strict regulations regarding the types of precious metals that can be stored in a retirement account.

They will help you set up a gold IRA by walking you through the paperwork. They'll even communicate with your custodian for you, so you don't have to. In addition, they can help you with the paperwork to roll over funds from your existing IRA or 401(k). The setup process is also very inexpensive, with a flat fee of just $50.

Once you have your account set up, your customer representative will help you narrow down the items that are right for you. They can answer whatever questions you have about your account or your holdings. Then they will create a purchase for you. The items will be shipped to the depository of your choice and managed by your custodian.

Goldco doesn't have any depository or custodian services themselves. But since they handle all the communication with your custodian and depository, the whole process is as streamlined as possible. The lack of in-house custodial services also means that you have a wider range of custodians to choose from, so you can compare their fees and decide which is best for you.

Direct Purchases

Another option available is to make direct purchases. This is when you want to buy precious metals for your personal portfolio. In these cases, you can have the purchases sent wherever you want. If you want a depository account, you can make one; if you want the gold sent to your home, you can do that too.

When you make a direct purchase with the company, you are eligible for their buyback program. You can look at the Goldco website to see some of the popular coins that people purchase directly.

There are no additional fees for direct purchases. You don't need to worry about maintenance, setup, or storage fees. If you do want to open a storage account with Delaware Depository, the costs will be $100 annually for regular storage and $150 annually for segregated storage.

Cryptocurrency IRAs

Goldco itself doesn't have any cryptocurrency investment options. However, there is a sister company called Coin IRA. This company will allow you to invest in cryptocurrency for your self-directed IRA.

If you're interested in a combination of cryptocurrency and precious metals for your retirement account, this option might appeal. Regal Assets is the only other company on our list with this sort of investment option.

Costs of Investment

The costs depend on what services you are using. Different services have different costs. Goldco also does not publicize information about how they calculate their precious metals pricing. But many customers have said that they received an excellent quote due to buying in bulk.

Since the minimum investment is $25,000, Goldco is able to offer precious metals at lower prices overall. This is because they can acquire gold and silver at wholesaler prices. They also work to operate their company without too much overhead. The salespeople do not depend on commissions for their livelihood.

Unlike some other companies, Goldco has flat fees for setup and storage. You'll pay $50 to create your IRA and fund it. This covers the cost of having an expert walk you through all the paperwork. You basically don't have to do anything except sign where indicated.

No matter which company you invest with, you will need to pay storage and custodial fees. These are the costs of having your vault maintained on a yearly basis. Goldco's flat fees mean that you don't pay any more for adding more precious metals to your account.

You'll pay $175 for annual storage. After you get to $100,000 worth of investment, that storage cost goes up to $225. This is reasonable, since you'll be taking up more vault space with your gold. Even though this cost might seem steep, it's actually cheaper than many other depository fees.

One note is that if you want segregated storage, you'll have to pay a little more. Segregated storage is kept separate from all other holdings in the vault. Nobody will be able to access your coins except you and your custodian. The exact items that you put into the vault will be the same ones you take out.

4 Step Process

Goldco has broken the process of starting an IRA down into four simple steps. Because of how streamlined the company is, these steps involve little to no work on your part.

Your first step is to choose your IRA plan. To hold precious metals in the account, you will need a self-directed IRA. You'll also need to know how you plan to fund it. This might involve rolling over funds from another retirement account, something your customer representative can walk you through.

Then you'll need to pick a custodian. If you don't have one in mind, that's okay. Goldco usually prefers to work with Equity Trust. Your Goldco representative will walk you through the paperwork to open an Equity Trust account and communicate with your custodian for you.

The third step is to choose your precious metals. Again, your Goldco representative will be able to help with this. You can ask questions about the items available to you. Or you might just say something like, "I want the items that have the best value for the weight of their gold." Whatever you want, your company representative is there to serve you.

Once you finalize your purchase, Goldco handles the fourth step for you. They will ship your metals to your depository, and your custodian will store them in the vault. Then you'll be able to access information about your holdings in real time. You can just sit back and relax throughout this process.

Buy Back Program

A buyback program is important when you're investing with a precious metals company, especially for your retirement account. You need to be able to liquidate your gold to use the funds. It can be hard to find a company that will give you a fair price on short notice.

Goldco will buy back your items when the time comes to take distributions. Even if you make a purchase outside of a retirement account, they will buy the items back when you're ready to sell. Many customers have noted that the buyback program was very low-fuss with no hassle, and they were offered a reasonable price near the current spot.

There is no requirement that you sell your precious metals back to Goldco. But they are likely to make you the best offer. Still, you are welcome to liquidate your metals however you choose. They are fully in your possession, so you can do whatever you want.

Reputation

Goldco has an excellent reputation in the industry. There are hundreds upon hundreds of reviews spread across different third party websites, almost all of which are positive. Whenever there is any negative feedback, Goldco makes an effort to rectify the situation with the customer. Most negative feedback also appears to be related to misunderstandings.

The Better Business Bureau gives Goldco an A+ rating, which is the top mark available. Similarly, the Business Consumer Alliance gives the top rating of AAA. On Trustlink, there are over 250 reviews with an average of 5 stars, indicating universally positive feedback. There are over 500 reviews on Consumer Affairs with similar universally positive feedback.

Trustpilot has over 650 reviews and gives Goldco an average of 5 stars as well. Goldco has become a registered member with Ethics.net, which is an organization dedicated to upholding the best ethics in different industries. In addition, Goldco has been endorsed by the popular conservative talk show host Sean Hannity.

Customers regularly praise Goldco's customer service and ease of use. They say that the company helps them to really feel prioritized. In addition, they say that the prices are reasonable and that there is a high level of transparency. Not only are customers happy with their first purchases, but they're also happy with the ongoing communication and care from Goldco throughout the years.

#2. Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals is another one of the best precious metals companies. There are experts involved in every aspect of the IRA process, from account setup to tax compliance to the precious metals themselves. The company even has different departments that all focus on one niche aspect of precious metals IRAs.

This means that no matter what question you have, someone can answer it. Since every employee specializes in just one part of the process, they have in-depth knowledge that you can't often find with other precious metals companies. At the same time, you will work with the same dedicated account representative throughout the precious metals IRA process.

You get all the positive impacts of one-on-one service from your representative. They'll get to know you and your needs before you get started. When you work with Augusta in the future, you'll always have the same representative. This allows you two to develop a personal relationship, and it makes it easier for your rep to make helpful suggestions.

Another important note about Augusta Precious Metals is that, like the best precious metals companies on the market, Augusta doesn't have any commission fees. The salespeople aren't trying to get you to buy as much as possible. Their only goal is to make sure that you're making the decisions that help you feel confident in your financial future.

Not only do Augusta's salespeople not work on commission, but Augusta also works hard to educate customers. Even if you haven't chosen to invest with them, you can pick up the phone and ask questions. You can also attend virtual webinars and peruse the wealth of educational information available on the website.

This is because Augusta wants people to know more about the precious metals industry. Even if you choose not to invest with them, they want you to be confident in making decisions that will affect your financial future.

Company Principles

Augusta Precious Metals operates with three main principles: honesty, education, and a good reputation. They believe that if they educate their customers and are transparent about their process, then they will earn a good reputation. This strategy seems to be working for them so far, considering the number of glowing reviews the company has online.

Honesty is especially important when you're choosing a precious metals company. You want a company that will explain both the benefits and risks of investment. You want a company that is open about their management, customer service policies, and pricing structure.

When you first interact with the Augusta Precious Metals website, you will find information about how gold might not be the right choice. According to Augusta, they only want to work with people who believe that precious metals can secure their future. They also outline the different potential drawbacks of precious metals investment, such as ongoing fees and market fluctuations.

That leads into the educational aspect. It's important to Augusta that every client knows exactly what they're buying. The company doesn't want anyone to have "buyer's remorse." So their staff members answer all of the questions that people have. In addition, they have a huge variety of free resources available for different individuals to peruse.

The company even has a Director of Education. Devlyn Steele is responsible for coordinating webinars and all of the other educational content put out by the company. He helps to spread information about precious metals through social media. On top of being a Harvard analyst, he is on several boards in various Silicon Valley companies, and he makes an effort to personally meet with new clients.

Even after you decide to invest with Augusta, you get continued access to educational resources. You can receive a newsletter with insights about the state of the gold market. You're also welcome to attend webinars and engage on social media.

All of these practices have helped Augusta to have a stellar reputation in the precious metals industry. They are given top marks by organizations like the BBB and Trustpilot. Customers on the BBB website have rarely left any review lower than 5 stars. On the Consumer Affairs website, Augusta has a total of 5 out of 5 stars with dozens of reviews.

Ethics.net gives Augusta a positive rating, indicating that the company strongly prioritizes ethics and transparency. There are also positive reviews from Google Business, Facebook, and Trustlink. It's very difficult to find negative feedback about Augusta. They are one of the most positively reviewed precious metals IRA companies in the United States.

Company Fees

There are some fees associated with Augusta Precious Metals, as you can expect from any gold IRA company. But Augusta is very transparent about their fee structure. In addition, the company representatives will answer questions about pricing without trying to mine information from you.

When you get started, there will be a fee of $50. Similar to Goldco's setup fee, this covers the cost of doing your paperwork and getting your rollover set up. You'll also be able to ask questions throughout this process and make absolutely sure that the investment process is ideal for you.

For the first year of your account, you will pay $250 for the custodial and storage fees. Like many of the other best companies, this is a flat fee that doesn't change if you have more savings. In every year following that, you'll pay $100 for custodian fees.

If you make a qualified purchase, your shipping will be free. All of the items ship fully insured, so you can get a refund if your package is lost or stolen while in transit.

Another important aspect of Augusta's transparency is on the spread. Augusta's representatives will tell you about the asking and bidding amounts of different gold pieces. You can even find information about the current spot price and market changes over time on their website. That way, you always know whether you're buying the best items for their value.

Available Services

The two main services are precious metals IRAs and non-IRA purchases. Augusta is not involved in cryptocurrency or in any other assets. They specialize in precious metals, and their main focus is on IRAs.

When you work with an Augusta representative to open an IRA, they streamline the whole process. They will walk you through all of the paperwork and file it correctly. If you have a question that your representative doesn't know the answer to, they will consult with one of their expert colleagues.

The representative at Augusta will also communicate with your custodian for you. Many other precious metals companies ask you to reach out to the custodian yourself. By doing it for you, Augusta allows you to communicate with only one person through the whole process. Goldco also does this.

When you make a purchase with cash, you can have it delivered wherever you want. All items ship insured in discreet packaging. You'll sign for the package at the door. Augusta Precious Metals is a good place to make cash purchases because of their transparency regarding their pricing and spread.

Educational webinars are also available. You can sign up for these even before making any purchases with Augusta. Once you are actually an Augusta customer, you'll be able to contact your representative whenever you want. Augusta wants to cultivate a lifetime relationship with each customer, up until you take distributions for retirement and beyond.

#3. Birch Gold

Birch Gold Group is one of the best known precious metals IRA companies. They have been part of the industry since 2003, making them one of the oldest companies to specialize in IRAs. The company operates out of California and serves customers throughout the United States.

Like several of the other top companies on the list, Birch Gold employs a huge range of experts. The employees have backgrounds in financial advice, wealth management, and commodities.

In addition to being part of the industry for nearly 20 years, Birch Gold has a great reputation. Their network allows them to acquire precious metals at lower rates than the competition. That in turn allows them to sell the precious metals to people for closer to the spot price.

Reputation and Ratings

Birch Gold Group has an excellent reputation. On the Better Business Bureau website, they have an A+ rating and have been accredited for 11 years. The Business Consumer Alliance rates them AAA, the highest marks available. Many people on the management team have worked on the Forbes Finance Council.

On Trustpilot, 98% of Birch Gold's reviews are positive, giving them an average of 5 out of 5 stars. When customers have had negative feedback, representatives from Birch Gold do their best to make it right. There is also no negative feedback that indicates any pattern of mismanagement.

Customers have particularly praised the ease of purchase, as well as the customer service. Some have noted that they've returned to Birch Gold with questions after years, and the company representatives are just as attentive as they were during the first purchase. Many say that Birch Gold has made them more comfortable and confident in their financial independence.

The only consistent negative feedback has been complaints about the pricing. However, Birch Gold's pricing is much lower than what you'll find with most of the competition.

Education

Like many other companies on the list, Birch Gold Group has a strong focus on education. They want their customers to feel empowered to make the right purchases for their financial future.

The company is a supporter of Operation HOPE. This is an organization that helps to educate Americans and help them achieve financial independence. Birch Gold even donated $20,000 to this organization to help with community independence. This will go a long way toward helping marginalized people gain financial independence and be included in the finance world.

Operation HOPE states that their goal is to stop the cycle of poverty. They want to increase people's economic opportunities by opening free enterprise to underprivileged communities. Charity Navigator has given them excellent marks for over seven years in a row.

Birch Gold offers a free Learning Kit through their website. This is a group of educational resources that teaches you about gold, silver, and other precious metals. It explains the benefits of precious metals investment with regards to inflation and the stock market. You can request this kit even if you haven't decided to work with Birch Gold.

This kit works well for beginners who want to learn more about gold IRAs before investing. You'll learn about different retirement accounts, alternative assets, and portfolio setups. You'll also learn some of the ins and outs of different IRS regulations.

If you have questions you'd like answered right away, you can also call to speak with a representative. Like other good companies, Birch Gold's representatives do not use pushy sales tactics. They can answer questions and guide you through the setup process if you do decide to invest.

Company Fees

Birch Gold Group has relatively low fees. However, they might vary slightly depending on the custodian and storage facility you work with. It's important to ask your representative about the fees before getting started to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

To set up your account, you'll need to pay a flat fee of $50. Like Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals, this covers the cost of doing paperwork and rolling over your funds. In addition, there is a wire transfer fee of $30 for every purchase you make.

Like any precious metals IRA, there will be costs for the maintenance and storage. Birch Gold says that the average cost for custodial maintenance is $80 per year, which is much more inexpensive than some other options. Storage costs $100, which includes a full insurance policy on all of your items.

If you make a purchase of at least $50,000 after setting up your account, Birch Gold will waive all of your fees for the first year. That means your setup, wire transfer, custodian, and storage fees. Just keep in mind that you will need to pay the wire transfer fee for additional purchases, as well as the custodian and storage fees for the coming years.

Like many of the best companies, Birch Gold has a flat fee pricing structure. So you don't have to worry about paying more if you add to your account holdings.

There is a minimum of $10,000 to invest in an IRA for the first time. This is lower than Goldco's minimum investment, so it may appeal to people who can't quite meet Goldco's threshold. That said, it's also not the lowest minimum investment on the market. If you have a smaller retirement account, you might not have this much money to put toward your account.

Services

Birch Gold Group offers the same services as most precious metals IRA companies. They will help you set up your IRA and purchase IRS-approved precious metals. They also allow cash purchases if you want to invest outside of a retirement account.

You'll have your choice of storing your metals with Brink's Global Services or Delaware Depository. Both of these are IRS-licensed depositories with an excellent reputation. The one you prefer might vary depending on your location.

After you make your initial purchase, you can stay in continuous contact with Birch Gold Group. They can give you market updates and insights, as well as tell you about the value of your holdings.

#4. Noble Gold

Noble Gold is another one of the best gold IRA companies on the market. Not only do they have a convenient platform, but they also have a variety of available services.

Noble Gold has been part of the industry for over two decades. The company was founded with an initial goal of helping clients learn about gold investment. The CEO has a background in insurance and real estate, so he's familiar with alternative assets. The financial crisis is what led him to start working with gold IRAs.

One of the biggest goals of Noble Gold is to help customers grow their wealth without taking on much risk. They offer precious metals investments as a hedge against inflation. In addition, they provide educational resources. It's important to them that customers understand that there is some risk involved in any investment.

Education

There are a variety of educational tools available through the Noble Gold website. You can learn about precious metals before you even make an investment. Like many other companies on the list, Noble Gold wants to teach their clients about precious metals so they feel financially empowered.

When you go to the Noble Gold website, there's an entire category called the Learn tab. This tab has resources for precious metals investment, news, and an educational library. You can also access a page that will remind you about important things you should know about your current investments.

Company Fees

Noble Gold is one of the most transparent companies when it comes to fees. Their FAQ section outlines all of their fees in detail.

You don't need to pay any fees or extra taxes when you roll over funds from one retirement account into another. This is an action that can be done completely without penalties. Of course, you must do so in a way that is IRS compliant. This can be overwhelming for people, which is why companies like Noble Gold help.

The rollover must be conducted within 60 days of opening your account. You'll work with your custodian to manage this.

Once you get your account set up, you'll need to pay fees for storage and maintenance. These will vary depending on your custodian and depository. If you choose to have segregated storage, you'll need to pay more than you would for non-segregated storage.

Most customers pay anywhere from $80 to $150 on an annual basis. These prices are on the lower end of the spectrum compared to the competition.

If you decide that you want to invest in precious metals outside of an IRA, you'll need to make a minimum purchase of $5,000. Noble Gold also has Royal Survival Packs, which are a service available to those who want to make non-IRA purchases.

Services

Noble Gold's two main services are their precious metals IRAs and Royal Survival Packs.

The company offers full service gold and silver IRAs. This means that when you decide you want to invest, they will walk you through the whole process. There are experts on staff who can answer questions about paperwork, investing, and fees. Since they walk you through the process, it's much less overwhelming than trying to navigate the regulations on your own.

You'll also be able to ask your representative any questions you might have about your personal circumstances. Different portfolios will work for different people. You might have a special risk tolerance or specific goal in mind.

The Royal Survival Packs are completely separate from IRAs. You'll make these purchases with your own money. They are also unique to Noble Gold, and most other companies don't have a comparable service.

Instead of choosing precious metals, you'll choose a financial tier. These range from $5,000 to over $500,000. The Noble Gold team will assemble a package of precious metals worth that amount of money. All of the metals will be graded and easily-liquidated items that you can sell in times of emergency.

You can have your Royal Survival Pack shipped to your home, a safety deposit box, or a depository. While home storage is not very secure, some people prefer it so that they have the precious metals close by in case of a disaster. Customers use these because the items are tangible and can be exchanged for a variety of different currencies.

Company Principles

Noble Gold operates with a number of different principles.

They have a strong belief in their management. Every manager at the company is an expert who is passionate about precious metals and finance. Since the company runs so smoothly, you can relax and let the managers handle your account for you.

Another critical component is the customer service. When you make an investment, you will be given a personal concierge. This person will give you quick answers and insight when you want it. You'll also work with the same representative on an ongoing basis, so they'll develop a personalized relationship with you.

Noble Gold also prioritizes variety. They offer a number of different precious metals for your IRA. They believe that the right investment for you will vary depending on your needs. To that end, they try to have the products that will meet your specific investment needs and goals.

In addition, Noble Gold prioritizes flexibility. Whether you're investing in an IRA or a Royal Survival Pack, there are a number of different investment tiers available to you. You can choose from a flexible group of depositories and custodians. That way, you can have your items stored wherever you most need them.

Finally, Noble Gold prioritizes the growth of wealth. Precious metals are considered a safe investment in times of economic uncertainty. But they can also grow in value over time. For example, they tend to rise in value to combat inflation. They also tend to grow steadily over time instead of having the volatile rises and falls of the stock market.

The experts at Noble Gold are used to growing wealth. They come from financial backgrounds of all kinds, and they understand economic theory. Not only do they know how to grow their own wealth, but they try to guide customers into growth as well. They can give you insights about the market and when it's a good time to buy or sell.

Final Thoughts

Precious metals are recommended by many different investors as a way to hedge against economic upheaval. They tend to perform opposite the stock market, and they are tangible assets.

Each of the companies on this list sells approved precious metals to consumers. They also make the process of setting up and funding your IRA easier.

Our top pick overall is Goldco. They are known for having unparalleled customer service, great promotions & bonuses, and have a great long standing reputation.