Gold IRA comparison
Best Gold IRA Companies
2026, ranked.
A self-directed Gold IRA lets you hold physical gold and silver inside a tax-advantaged retirement account. We reviewed the four most-recommended companies — here's how they compare on fees, minimums, ratings, and what they're actually best for.
Our picks
Augusta Precious Metals
Best OverallThe strongest all-round choice: top ratings on every platform, lifetime account support, and genuinely transparent pricing.
Best for $50k+ rollover, hands-on support
Get the free guide →Goldco
A solid second choice with a lower minimum. Straightforward process with fewer pre-purchase educational materials, but strong ratings across the board.
Best for $25k–$50k rollover, first-timers
Birch Gold Group
The most accessible entry point with a $10k minimum and the longest track record in the category. Strong choice if your rollover is under the $50k Augusta threshold.
Best for $10k–$50k rollover, longest track record
🇺🇸 America 250 · Limited offer
Free America 250 silver round with every $10,000 purchase — IRAs and physical. While supplies last.
Noble Gold
Worth considering if Texas-based storage matters to you. High ratings despite being newer — though less track record than Augusta or Birch.
Best for Texas storage preference, $20k+
Side-by-side comparison
| Company | Augusta Preciouspartner | Goldco | Birch Goldpartner | Noble Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | $50,000 | $25,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Annual fees | $180–$200/yr | $175–$225/yr | $200/yr | $150–$225/yr |
| BBB | A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ |
| 4.9 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 | |
| Trustpilot | 4.9 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2006 | 2003 | 2017 |
Fees shown are typical ranges for standard accounts. Contact each company for exact pricing. Last reviewed May 27, 2026.
Our top pick
Augusta Precious Metals
Best overall Gold IRA company — highest rated, most transparent
BBB
A+ Accredited
Complaints
Zero on record
4.9 / 5
Trustpilot
4.9 / 5
Money Mag
Best Overall
How it works
Request the free guide
Receive Augusta's educational materials — no commitment, no sales call.
One-on-one web conference
Augusta's Harvard-trained economic analyst walks you through IRS rules, eligible metals, and fee structure. Education directors are not commissioned salespeople.
Open your account
Augusta handles custodian paperwork. Your account is held by Equity Trust, an IRS-approved custodian.
Fund via rollover
Direct transfer from your 401k, 403b, or IRA. Typically completes in 5–10 business days, tax-free.
Why we recommend Augusta
- ✓Education directors are paid to educate, not sell — no commissioned salespeople, ever
- ✓Free one-on-one web conference with a Harvard-trained economic analyst before you commit
- ✓Zero BBB complaints on record · A+ accredited · Fees disclosed in writing before you open
- ✓Lifetime support — same dedicated account agent from opening through retirement
Worth knowing
- –$50,000 minimum — not suitable for smaller rollover accounts
- –Focuses on premium coins over bullion bars, which carry higher per-ounce premiums
Augusta Precious Metals · Paid partner · No commitment required
Best for smaller rollovers
Birch Gold Group
Lowest minimum in the category — strong choice for accounts under $50k
BBB
A+ Accredited
Founded
2003
4.8 / 5
Trustpilot
4.7 / 5
Minimum
$10,000
Why Birch Gold
- ✓Lowest minimum in the category — $10,000 for both IRAs and cash purchases
- ✓Longest track record of any major Gold IRA company — operating since 2003
- ✓Up to $10,000 in free precious metals on qualified purchases · Buyback guarantee at no charge
- ✓Six US storage locations — Delaware, Brinks, and IDS facilities in TX, LA, NYC, and CA
Worth knowing
- –Less structured pre-purchase education than Augusta — lighter materials before account opening
- –Customer service reviews more mixed at scale than Augusta
America 250 Silver Promo
Jun 8 – Jul 10For a limited time, every customer referred through Lode receives a free America 250 collectible silver round for every $10,000 purchased — gold IRA rollovers and physical purchases both qualify.
Available while supplies last · No extra cost · Ends July 10, 2026
Birch Gold Group · Paid partner · No commitment required
Also reviewed
Goldco
Est. 2006 · Min $25,000 · BBB A+ · ⭐ 4.8 / 5
A solid second choice with a lower minimum. Straightforward process with fewer pre-purchase educational materials, but strong ratings across the board.
- ✓Lower $25,000 minimum — accessible to more rollover accounts
- ✓Strong BBB and Trustpilot ratings
- ✓Straightforward, fast onboarding process
Noble Gold
Est. 2017 · Min $20,000 · BBB A+ · ⭐ 4.9 / 5
Worth considering if Texas-based storage matters to you. High ratings despite being newer — though less track record than Augusta or Birch.
- ✓Only major IRA company with Texas-based storage option
- ✓High customer ratings despite being newer
- ✓Competitive fees
Gold IRA vs physical gold
Which is right for you?
Gold IRA
Best if you have retirement funds to protect
- ·Tax-deferred or tax-free growth (Traditional or Roth)
- ·Held by IRS-approved custodian — no home storage
- ·Rollover existing 401k, 403b, TSP, or IRA
- ·Annual storage and custodian fees ($150–$300/yr)
- ·Restricted access before age 59½ (penalties apply)
- ·Min. account sizes apply ($10k–$50k depending on company)
Physical Gold
Best if you want direct possession outside retirement
- ·You hold it — no custodian, no counterparty
- ·No annual fees (cost is storage/insurance if you choose)
- ·Accessible at any time with no penalties
- ·No tax shelter — gains taxed as collectibles (28% max rate)
- ·No minimum — buy one coin at a time if you want
- ·Compare dealer prices at lode.rocks/compare →
Many serious precious metals investors do both — hold physical gold and silver for direct access and sovereignty, and roll over a portion of retirement savings into a Gold IRA for the tax shelter. If you're tracking a physical stack on lode.rocks already, a Gold IRA is worth considering for the tax-deferred portion once your retirement balance exceeds $50,000.
Eligibility
Do you qualify for a Gold IRA rollover?
Retirement account
You have a 401k, 403b, 457, TSP, or existing IRA you can roll over. Minimums start at $10,000.
Left your employer
You've left the employer whose plan you'd roll over — or you're 59½+ (in-service rollover).
US person
You're a US citizen or resident. Gold IRAs are only available to US taxpayers.
Have $50k+ to roll over?
Augusta offers a free, no-pressure web conference with a Gold IRA specialist to review your account type and walk you through the process.
Request Augusta's free guide →Augusta Precious Metals · Paid partner
Starting with $10k–$50k?
Birch Gold has the lowest minimum in the category at $10,000 and the longest track record. Request a free info kit with no obligation.
Get Birch Gold's free info kit →Birch Gold Group · Paid partner
Common questions
What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds physical precious metals — gold, silver, platinum, or palladium — instead of (or alongside) paper assets. The IRS allows these under IRC § 408(m), provided metals meet minimum fineness requirements and are held by an approved custodian and depository.
How much do I need to open a Gold IRA?
Minimums vary by company. Birch Gold accepts accounts from $10,000. Noble Gold starts at $20,000. Goldco starts at $25,000. Augusta requires $50,000 but waives first-year fees on accounts over that threshold. Most of the value comes from rolling over an existing retirement account (401k, 403b, TSP, IRA) rather than making new cash contributions, which are capped at IRS annual limits.
Can I roll over a 401k into a Gold IRA?
Yes — most employer-sponsored plans can be rolled over after you leave that employer, or from age 59½ while still employed. A direct rollover (custodian to custodian) is tax-free. An indirect rollover gives you 60 days to complete the transfer before it becomes a taxable distribution.
Is a Gold IRA better than buying physical gold?
It depends on your goal. A Gold IRA gives you tax-deferred or tax-free growth but requires a custodian, has annual fees, and restricts access until retirement. Physical gold gives you direct possession and no custodian fees but no tax shelter. Many investors do both — a Gold IRA for the tax-advantaged portion and physical holdings outside retirement.
What metals can go in a Gold IRA?
The IRS allows gold (≥99.5% pure), silver (≥99.9%), platinum (≥99.95%), and palladium (≥99.95%). Eligible coins include American Gold and Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and certain bars from approved refiners. Collectibles, numismatic coins, and jewelry are not allowed.
How are Gold IRA storage fees charged?
Most companies charge an annual storage fee of $100–$200, plus a custodian fee of $50–$100 per year. Some, like Augusta, waive the first year. Storage is either commingled (your metal pooled with others) or segregated (your specific bars and coins stored separately, typically slightly more expensive).
What happens when I request Augusta's free Gold IRA guide?
You receive Augusta's educational materials by email or mail — a written breakdown of how gold IRAs work, IRS eligibility rules, and fee structures. You'll then be offered a complimentary one-on-one web conference with an Augusta education director, a specialist who reviews your specific account type and situation. Education directors are not commissioned salespeople; they're paid regardless of whether you open an account. There's no obligation at any step.
Also tracking physical gold?
Compare Silver Eagle, Gold Eagle, and Maple Leaf prices across APMEX, JM Bullion, SD Bullion, and Money Metals — sorted by total cost at today's spot.