Write a review
  2. Finance
  3. Investing

Best Gold IRA Companies

We compared 36 companies and chose the top gold IRAs

  • Large investments
    Patriot Gold Group
    5.0(1,130)
  • Beginners
    Advantage Gold
    3.4(450)
  • Low fees
    Orion Metal Exchange
    5.0(204)
Author picture
By: Ashley Eneriz
+2 more
Author picture
Edited by: Jana Lynch
Author picture
Reviewed by: David Moadel

Best Gold IRA Companies

Our top 7 picks for gold IRA companies

Our picks for gold IRA companies generally offer an easy investment process, reasonable fees and ongoing support. The best companies in the industry stand out for their professionalism and transparency.

Gold and other precious metals are an investment and carry risk. Consumers should be alert to claims that customers can make a lot of money in these or any investment with little risk. As with any investment, you can lose money and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance results. Consumers should also obtain a clear understanding of the fees associated with any investment before agreeing to invest.

Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
  • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
  • 4,773,172 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
  • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
  • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
  • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
All information accurate as of time of publication.

Methodology

Our picks for the best gold IRA companies are based on customer reviews, selection and online shopping experience, among other factors. Our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear. Read our full methodology to learn how we picked companies.

Many of the gold IRA companies require consultations before you know all of the costs. It is a good idea to find out which storage facilities each company uses in addition to prices and customer service for each.

Best for large investments

Patriot Gold Group

Patriot Gold Group
5.0
1,130 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium
Minimum investment amount
$50,000
Annual fees
$200
Get Started Read Reviews

With Patriot Gold Group, you can work directly with one of the company’s owners to open or roll over a precious metals IRA. With a minimum investment of $50,000, most IRA account holders will pay no annual fees in the first year, and then $200 per year in combined storage, insurance and administration fees after that. Qualifying IRAs can receive the benefit of “no fees for life,” meaning Patriot Gold will reimburse or pay the rollover fees, storage and insurance fees. Plus, you will be able to set up your account within 24 hours.

As an investor, you can choose between a precious metals IRA or non-IRA gold, silver, platinum and palladium investments. Shipments of non-IRA precious metals are free, and free storage is provided to investors who purchase around $100,000 or more in precious metals.

Gold and silver prices are not posted directly on the site, and you will need to request a quote on the pieces you want to invest in. This part of the website seems clunky and hard to navigate. Customer service is available through phone, email or online chat.

Top factors of using Patriot Gold Group include:

  • Work directly with a company owner
  • Low fees for those with significant investments in precious metals

Some concerns of using Patriot Gold Group:

  • No prices posted
  • Website is difficult to navigate

Many felt that Patriot Gold Group answered all of their questions and took an interest in each investor. Customer service received praise from many ConsumerAffairs readers. One New York reviewer said: “All of my questions and concerns prior to purchasing as a new customer were promptly and honestly answered by knowledgeable representatives. The transfer of money was simple via ETF. Delivery of the gold and silver was completed quickly. I am completely satisfied with PGG's performance and would recommend them to future buyers.”

There are no negative reviews of Patriot Gold from ConsumerAffairs readers in the past four years.

Best for beginners

Advantage Gold

Advantage Gold
3.4
450 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium
Minimum investment amount
$25,000
Annual fees
$180-$295
Read Reviews

Advantage Gold is based in Los Angeles and offers IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum and palladium for self-directed retirement accounts. Investors can see which coins Advantage Gold has to offer online, but all purchasing has to happen over the phone or in person.

It works directly with STRATA Trust Company and Equity Trust as its IRA custodians. STRATA charges $95 annually for precious metals IRAs, either $100 or $150 annually for storage (depending on the type of storage you choose), and a $50 account setup fee. Equity Trust charges $50 for an account setup fee and $80 annually for account management. Investors can choose nonsegregated storage for $100 per year or segregated storage for $150 per year.

You must keep your self-directed gold IRA stored in an IRS-approved third-party depository. Advantage Gold uses Brink’s Global Services, which is located in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and Delaware Depository in Wilmington, Delaware.

Advantage Gold customers have the option of a simple buyback process. At any time you wish to sell back metals bought from Advantage Gold, it will pay the fair market value for them. All it takes is a quick form via fax or email, and the process should be complete within 24 hours.

Our favorite features of Advantage Gold include:

  • Guaranteed buyback program
  • Platinum and palladium IRA options

Some downsides of using Advantage Gold:

  • Limited storage locations
  • Coin prices not online

Many chose Advantage Gold because the employees were patient and did not rush the sale. Many who chose Advantage Gold said they were new to this area of investing, and Advantage Gold answered all questions thoroughly and took the time to make sure each customer felt confident in their decisions. One Oregon reviewer who was new to gold investing said: “I found Teddy to be very knowledgeable, patient, articulate and joyful. He helped me to feel confident and excited about my first experiences with investing in gold, both buying gold coins and bullion, and transferring my self-directed traditional IRA into metals. I look forward to continuing my investing relationship with Teddy and Advantage Gold. Much respect and gratitude!”

Negative reviews are minimal with Advantage Gold, with one customer upset about the minimum purchase point. Another felt that Advantage Gold was a little too pushy to get them to buy products.

Best for low fees

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange
5.0
204 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium
Minimum investment amount
$10,000
Annual fees
$170-$320
Read Reviews

Orion Metal Exchange, started in 2017, has co-founders with over 40 years of combined experience in the precious metals industry. Orion Metal Exchange is a full-range gold dealer offering precious metal IRAs and non-IRA investments for personal purchases. Nonretirement purchases can be stored in an insured storage vault or delivered with insured home delivery.

Orion Metal Exchange offers a full-service, in-house IRA department for the life of the account. Every IRA commercial depository and third-party storage facility is insured by Lloyd’s of London for the value of the precious metal holdings. A precious metals IRA is subject to a one-time setup fee of $50. Annual storage and insurance fees range from $170 to $270, depending on the type of storage facility chosen (though higher fees are charged for investment values of $500,000 or more).

Customers can choose from several coin options online. You must make a minimum purchase of $10,000, and shipping is a flat-rate cost of $39. Investing a minimum of $30,000 will help you take advantage of all the promotions the company offers. For IRA-approved coins and precious metals, you will need to call customer service and lock in a rate. Investors can add gold, silver, platinum and palladium IRA-approved metals to their IRA.

When you are ready to sell or liquidate your precious metals, Orion Metal Exchange can help with that, too. It offers fee-free buybacks for its customers. To do this, customers need to do a 30-second phone call with the company for a guaranteed buyback price.

Orion Metal Exchange Gold is a good choice for:

  • Low annual fee for storage and insurance
  • No-fee buyback policy

Be aware of the following:

  • Many transactions over the phone
  • $39 shipping fee

Orion Metal Exchange is recommended by reviewers for its friendly and helpful customer service. Most felt comfortable and confident buying through the company. “I researched the other metal firms and found Orion to be reputable, responsive and professional. Four times this year I’ve rolled over sizable assets from my 401(k), where it has a -26% rate of return, into a metal IRA,” said a reviewer in Wisconsin. “I have full access to my metals IRA account. … Never has there been any kind of ‘bait and switch’ or misleading information. Very trustworthy and upfront. Transactions are easy and straightforward.”

The company has minimal complaints, especially when it comes to IRA investing. Some customers wished for more variety in personal purchases.

Best online tools

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals
5.0
165 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold and silver
Minimum investment amount
$50,000
Annual fees
$200-$250
Get Started Read Reviews

Established in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals helps investors diversify their portfolios with gold and silver investments. Investors must purchase at least $50,000 in either non-IRA purchases or IRA purchases. There is no maximum purchase limit.

All purchases must be made over the phone, and both bullion and premium prices are locked in once your order is confirmed via phone and payment is received. For IRA investments, your precious metals will be delivered with free shipping and insurance to one of 11 storage facilities within the U.S. You can choose the facility location and even visit it if you make arrangements with the custodian. All precious metals are insured against covered losses.

Custodians charge $250 for the first year to administer your gold or silver IRA and $200 for each year after that. Your annual fee does not change no matter how large your investment account becomes. Additionally, fees may apply for Augusta to serve as a liaison between you and the IRA storage facility.

Augusta offers buybacks, though it will not guarantee buybacks.

Augusta Precious Metals is a good fit because it has:

  • Many storage facilities available
  • Free shipping and insurance

Before using Augusta Precious Metals, consider the following:

  • Only gold and silver
  • High minimum purchase amount

Many chose Augusta Precious Metals based on a knowledgeable presentation the company gave. Reviewers learned a lot about investing and precious metals IRAs without feeling like they were being sold to or pressured into making a decision. A Wisconsin customer said: “I'm new to precious metals and transferring part of my IRA to a new precious metals IRA was a scary thought. These folks put my mind at ease and made the transaction seamless!”

Some customers identified the price of the gold and silver as a drawback; others felt Augusta fees were high.

Best IRA rollover

Goldco

Goldco
3.0
1,699 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium
Minimum investment amount
No purchase minimums
Annual fees
$200-$280
Get Started Read Reviews

Goldco, a popular pick in the precious metals industry, allows investors to roll over their 401(k), 403(b), 457 plan and pensions worth at least $25,000 to a precious metals IRA. Goldco has made over $1 billion in precious metals placements within the past decade.

Goldco works with all major self-directed IRA custodians. All metals owned by your IRA are stored securely in a depository until you are eligible to take distributions at age 59 ½. At that time, you will be able to choose your distributions as cash or in the form of precious metals.

A one-time startup fee of $80 is charged for new self-directed IRAs, and the annual IRA storage fee is $200. Goldco does not charge an additional wire transfer fee or annual maintenance fee.

Since Goldco is a full-service precious metals firm, you can also buy gold and silver to keep in your home, though no prices are listed, and these investments will not be part of your IRA. It also offers a buyback program that is guaranteed to give you the highest offer for your precious metals. However, be sure to review all the terms and conditions and clarify with the company that the buyback is guaranteed.

You can sign up for a free investment kit if you’d like to learn more about investing in precious metals.

We like Goldco for its:

  • Wide range of eligible retirement accounts for rollover
  • Guaranteed buyback program

Be careful of the following:

  • Only gold and silver are available for purchase outside an IRA
  • Pricing unavailable for direct purchases of precious metals

Customers chose Goldco because they were given an extra 10% of silver for free with their investment. Many customers felt valued and treated like Goldco’s most important customers. An Arkansas reviewer said: “Everyone was very friendly and professional. Our questions were answered satisfactory. We were so satisfied with our purchase that we called back to roll over part of our 401(k) and also had our daughter call them to make a purchase.”

Some investors were upset over Goldco’s fees, reporting that there were no clear prices listed and that employees contradicted themselves on different costs. Others felt that Goldco overcharged them for their coins.

Best overall

Noble Gold Investments

Noble Gold Investments
4.9
833 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rare currency
Minimum investment amount
$20,000
Annual fees
$250-$330
Read Reviews

Noble Gold Investments was established in 2016, and its founders have over 20 years of combined experience in buying gold and silver. It specializes in IRA-approved metals, such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. New investors can receive a free investment kit to better understand how Noble Gold works and which precious metals are best for their retirement portfolios.

Getting started with Noble Gold is simple; it takes about five minutes to fill out your application. Within 24 hours, a Noble Gold advisor will contact your new custodian to get your account set up. At this point, you will know if there is any special additional paperwork you need to submit.

All IRA-approved metal investments are stored in a secure, IRS-approved vault in a segregated storage system. Storage locations are in Texas, Delaware and Mississauga, Ontario. You can view your investments online 24/7, 365 days a year. Additionally, you can schedule to see them in person.

The first-year IRA opening fee is $50, and there’s also an initial wire transaction fee of $30. Annual account maintenance costs $100, and the annual storage fee is $150. So, combined annual fees for a precious metals IRA with Noble Gold are $330 in the first year and $250 per year after that.

Gold and other precious metals are also sold directly to investors using a flat fee structure, but actual prices are not posted online. Investors can choose between coins and bars. The company offers a buyback program for investors who want to liquidate their precious metals in the future.

Noble Gold Investments is good for the following:

  • Affordable segregated storage
  • 24/7 access to investments online

Before choosing Noble Gold, consider these factors:

  • Prices for direct purchases of precious metals are not published online
  • Limited storage facilities

Customers love Noble Gold for its easy, transparent transfer process. Many reviewers were able to quickly roll over their accounts without issue. “When navigating the procedures of moving a traditional securities IRA to a precious metals investment/hedge, there are several hurdles to clear. … Noble Gold made this maneuver almost effortless,” said a Texas customer.

A few customers were disappointed with customer service and felt the reps did not follow up with them in a timely manner.

Our pick for customer service

Lear Capital

Lear Capital
5.0
1,546 reviews
IRA metal options
Gold, silver and platinum
Minimum investment amount
$15,000
Annual fees
$200-280
Read Reviews

Established in 1997, Lear Capital offers IRA-approved metals, such as gold, silver and other precious metals. What we appreciate most about Lear Capital is the hands-on customer service it provides to its clients. Not only can you get help with purchasing precious metals, but Lear Capital also assists with IRA rollovers or transfers. If investors are looking to convert their 401(k) retirement accounts to gold and silver, it can handle the process for you.

The Lear Advantage IRA, which is a self-directed IRA, can be backed by gold, silver and platinum. It offers free setup and storage charges depending on your investment amount. Invest or roll over $75,000 or more and you will get your first three years of storage fees waived.

All buyers get a 24-hour risk-free purchase guarantee, meaning you can review and cancel your order within 24 hours of purchase — no questions asked or fees charged.

We prefer Lear Capital for the following:

  • Fees waived
  • 24-hour risk-free purchase guarantee

Before choosing Lear Capital, consider these factors:

  • No palladium options

Reviewers said they appreciated the level of interaction and customer service from Lear Capital. Kelly from Florida said, “I love the fact that Morrey is so personally involved in the transactions. He phones regularly to let me know what is going on in the market or if it is a good time to buy. Excellent customer service.”

Gold IRA Companies Buyers Guide

Jump into our guides and start learning

In this guide

Top Picks

See who reviewers like

Patriot Gold Group logo
Advantage Gold logo
Orion Metal Exchange logo
See our top picks

Simplify your search

Compare dealers to match your investment goals.

Gold IRA companies buyers guide

Many are turning to gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs) because precious metals have been able to stand up well against inflation and uncertain times. If you want to buy gold to diversify your retirement portfolio with precious metals, you need to use a top-rated gold IRA company. Not all gold or precious metals are IRA-approved, so it is essential to work with a notable company that has its own financial experts.

Choosing a gold IRA company is only part of the investing process. You also need to have a good understanding of how gold IRAs work. This guide will help you learn the steps to properly navigate the world of gold IRAs and what pros and cons come along with investing in one.

Key insights

A gold IRA lets investors hold physical precious metals in a retirement account, offering a hedge against inflation but requiring secure third-party storage and presenting liquidity challenges.

Jump to insight

Most gold IRAs are funded through rollovers from existing retirement accounts, with account setup and ongoing maintenance involving unique fees and minimum investment thresholds.

Jump to insight

While gold IRAs provide diversification and long-term stability, they come with no dividend income, higher fees and uncertainty around future gold prices.

Jump to insight

What is a gold IRA?

A gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds gold (or other approved metals) instead of paper assets. This means you can use a gold IRA to purchase actual, physical gold. However, you don’t hold the gold yourself — it’s stored in a secure depository. (If you want to buy gold directly and hold it yourself, you can buy it from a gold dealer.)

Even though your gold is stored securely, there are some risks. While gold has historically held its value during inflation, it can be volatile in the short term and hard to sell at a fair price at times.

How do gold IRAs work?

A gold or silver IRA functions much like other individual retirement accounts, but your investments are in gold and other precious metals, including silver, platinum and palladium.

Most people start a gold IRA by rolling over from an existing IRA or 401(k). Most gold IRA companies have a required initial minimum investment. This can be as high as $50,000, but it really varies by company. Your gold IRA company or gold dealer can then help you purchase the metals for your IRA. Once you open the account and purchase your precious metals, the physical metals are stored in a secure storage facility called a “depository.”

You can expect different commissions and fees for account setup, storage and account maintenance. Your IRA custodian, or trustee, manages the account and will be your main point of contact.

When you want to access your investments, contact your custodian or trustee and fill out the necessary forms. You can then sell your precious metals or take possession of the physical gold, silver, platinum or palladium. You may have to pay penalties if you withdraw funds before the age of 59½ or if you haven’t had the account for a certain amount of time.

How to choose a gold IRA company

If you want to invest in gold as part of your retirement plan, here are tips for navigating the world of gold IRAs.

Research company reputation
Many companies in this industry are similar, so look for companies that have competitive prices, good customer service and an easy investment process.

Then, spend time reading online gold IRA reviews from clients to learn more about their experiences. Some gold IRA scammers can appear legitimate, so it’s vital to consider how many years a gold IRA company has been in business and what reviewers say about it.

Also, avoid companies that advertise “special” home storage offers or “collectible” coins for IRA use. Neither of these is generally allowed by IRS regulations.

Consider the depository
Many of the best gold IRA companies offer multiple vault options. These can be as simple as a choice of location or as detailed as letting you choose your preferred method of storage. For example, you may have two types of depositories available:
  • Allocated depositories: In an allocated depository, your asset inventory is kept in something resembling a safety deposit box, and your coins or bars are separate from anybody else’s inventory.
  • Unallocated depositories: Unallocated depositories store precious metals based on their size, weight, year and refinery. When distributed, investors receive the same type of gold coin or bar they purchased, but it probably won’t be the exact same physical object.
Stay up to date on spot prices
Like with other commodities, the price of gold is determined by the market, meaning gold prices fluctuate over time. Keeping up with this spot price is important if you want to buy low and sell high.
Always request detailed receipts
Vault receipts, sometimes called warrant or warehouse receipts, prove the ownership of your precious metals and confirm transfers. Detailed receipts are often necessary to prove or disprove the value of metals at the time of purchase.
Follow all IRS gold IRA rules and regulations
Numismatic (collectible) coins are often not IRA-eligible, and the IRS has specific requirements for what types of bullion (precious metals sold by weight) are acceptable for use in a gold IRA. Gold coins offer unique investment opportunities, but their worth and legitimacy must be proven.

Pros and cons of gold IRAs

There are some notable pros and cons to a gold IRA. You might see some tax benefits, but your money is mostly locked away until you’re of retirement age.

Pros

  • Portfolio diversification
  • Long-term stability
  • Hedges against inflation

Cons

  • High annual fees
  • No interest or dividends
  • High minimum deposit requirements

Perhaps the most significant benefit of a gold IRA is it allows you to diversify your retirement portfolio into a different kind of investment. Gold IRA companies like to emphasize the stable value of gold relative to paper assets in times of economic uncertainty.

However, gold and silver prices have their own potential for volatility, and they don’t pay dividends or produce steady income. Furthermore, there is no guarantee of the future worth of gold. Robert R. Johnson, PhD, CFA, CAIA, a professor of finance at Heider College of Business, Creighton University, said, “The price of gold is not determined by its intrinsic value but simply by its expected selling price to someone in the future.”

Precious metals IRAs also tend to have higher fees and storage costs compared with traditional or Roth IRAs.

Alternatives to gold IRAs

Gold IRAs offer a unique way to diversify your retirement portfolio, but they may not be the best fit for everyone. If you're looking for alternative investment options that could complement or replace a gold IRA, consider these options:

  • Traditional or Roth IRAs
  • Gold mutual funds and ETFs
  • Gold stocks
  • Real estate IRAs
  • Cryptocurrency IRAs

FAQ

How do I open a gold IRA account?

To open a gold IRA account, first decide on the best gold IRA company for your needs. It’s important to do your research before selecting a gold IRA company. Look into the company’s reviews, fees, storage options and terms.

Once you’ve made a decision, open up a gold IRA account and fund it. Finally, work with the company to select your investment and storage options.

Can I take physical possession of gold in my IRA?

You can’t take physical possession of gold currently in your IRA. It must be stored in an IRS-approved facility, and you could be subject to high penalties if you store gold from your IRA in your home.

However, at the end of your IRA term, you can liquidate your gold assets for cash or take possession of your gold without penalty.

Can I have more than one IRA?

Yes. You can keep a traditional IRA and also open a self-directed IRA for gold or other precious metals.

What is a gold IRA rollover?

A gold IRA rollover allows you to move your retirement savings from an existing retirement account into a gold IRA. Most brokers offer no-fee rollovers, but you should ask if you aren't sure about your broker’s rules. You can roll over the following types of retirement accounts:

  • Roth IRAs
  • Traditional IRAs
  • SEP IRAs
  • SIMPLE IRAs
  • Annuities
  • 401(k)s
  • 403(b)s
  • TSPs (Thrift Savings Plans)
What is IRA-eligible gold?

Gold must meet specific standards set by the IRS to be eligible for use in a gold IRA. Eligible gold products must:

  • Meet minimum fineness requirements of 99.5% purity
  • Not be considered highly collectible
  • Come from a U.S. Mint or an approved foreign mint
Can I include other precious metals in my gold IRA?

Yes. In addition to gold, you can include other precious metals in your gold IRA, such as silver, platinum and palladium. These metals must also meet IRS standards to be eligible for inclusion. Working with a reputable gold IRA company can help ensure that the metals you purchase meet all requirements.

Disclaimer

Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.

Methodology

The ConsumerAffairs research team started with a list of 18 gold IRA companies. To narrow this list down, we first eliminated companies with an overall satisfaction rating below 3.5 stars, leaving 12.

We then required our top picks to have at least twice as many 5-star reviews as 1-star reviews on our site over the last year (September 15, 2020, through September 15, 2021). In total, we analyzed more than 800 verified reviews.

To make the final selections, we scored companies based on the difference between their 5-star and 1-star reviews factored by the ratio of 5-star reviews to all other star ratings.

Our recommendations are based on recurring themes in the positive reviews or standout features identified by our editorial team. For example, our pick for IRS rollovers has a relatively high density of the words “rollover” and “transfer” in recent 5-star reviews. Our pick for “low minimum investment” has the lowest minimum investment requirement of all our picks.

Not sure how to choose?

Get buying tips about Gold IRA Companies delivered to your inbox.

    By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Thanks for subscribing.

    You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.

    Article sources
    ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
    1. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), “ Traditional and Roth IRAs .” Accessed July 23, 2021.
    2. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), “ Investments in Collectibles in Individually-Directed Qualified Plan Accounts .” Accessed September 16, 2021.

    Read reviews of gold IRA companies

    Showing 10 of 36

    Want your company to be on this guide?

    Yes, continue
    Comparing

    ×
    Trending in Gold IRA