7 Best Gold IRA Companies in 2023
Though many people favor traditional individual retirement accounts (IRA), savvy investors may opt for alternatives, like precious metals. Being a more stable and secure investment, gold and other precious metals IRAs have become a lucrative choice in the past few years. Hence, it has become a hot topic, with many IRA companies working on drawing the attention of potential investors.
However, only a few offer beneficial conditions and terms. Knowing them in advance will give you peace of mind that your investment is safe and in good hands. And to ensure that, I’ve compiled a list of the best IRA companies for the upcoming year.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the benefits of gold IRAs and the best providers to work with.
The Best Gold IRA Company: Top Picks for 2023
Best Customer Support
Goldco
- Over a decade of experience handling Gold IRA accounts
- Low yearly fees
- Exclusive new-client promotions
- Outstanding customer service
Best Pricing
Augusta Precious Metals
- Joe Montana is a corporate ambassador
- One-on-one conference
- Simple account opening process
- Extraordinary customer service
Lowest Fees
Noble Gold Investments
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Why Invest In Precious Metals?
Precious metals spark images of wealth and prosperity, don’t they? Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium have marked wealth and prosperity for centuries, and that’s not likely to change soon.
That makes investing in precious metals an exceptional way to secure your retirement. Gold and silver IRAs might be the key to securing investment for a carefree future. We’ve seen market turmoil too often over the past few decades.
In many cases, it has cost good people large portions of their retirement funds. With the push to diversify and find more stable investments, precious metals emerged as a robust option.
At first glance, a gold IRA may feel like chasing a shiny toy, but if you dig a little deeper, it’s a wise decision. A diverse portfolio is your best defense against market instability, and choosing something that retains value could give you a stronger sense of security.
Of course, as with any investment, there are crooks promising all that glitters only to deliver a poor knock-off. To ensure you don’t fall into the trap, we’ve compiled a list of the best gold IRA companies. The seven picks we’ll display below are the industry-leading gold and silver IRA providers, all coming with a reliable system, solid business ratings, and long-term customers.
Find your reputable gold IRA company and invest in your future.
The Best Gold IRA Companies for 2023
Company
Best For
Patriot Gold Group
Goldco
Best Customer Support
Augusta Precious Metals
Best Pricing
Noble Gold Investments
Lowest Fees
Birch Gold Group
Best Customer Service
American Hartford Gold
Lowest Minimums
Advantage Gold
Most Educational
Hard Assets Alliance
Best Security
A Detailed List of the Top Gold IRA Companies
Choosing the best gold IRA providers to work with wasn’t easy. There are lots of reputable gold and silver IRA companies out there that deserve the praise.
That is why we decided to narrow the list to a few select categories and choose the best company based on them to help you decide. From best overall to high-quality customer service, each company on my list contributes something unique to the industry.
We have included the most important information that may interest a potential investor, including key features, pros and cons, and a right-to-the-point description.
Patriot Gold Group
Key Features
- You can choose your own custodian
- No fees if you invest more than $100,000
- Good selection of gold and silver coins
- Good customer reviews
- The process of opening an account is quick and easy
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$25,000
Fees:
$180/year
Current Promotions:
Invest more than $100,000 and get all fees waived for the whole duration of your IRA account
Pros
- You can choose your own custodian
- No fees if you invest more than $100,000
- Good selection of gold and silver coins
- Good customer reviews
- The process of opening an account is quick and easy
Cons
- Doesn’t show the prices of the gold and silver coins on the website
- Not a lot of information about fees
- No online purchases
- There is a minimum investment requirement of $25,000
- A relatively new company
Goldco
Best Customer Support
Key Features
- Over a decade of experience handling Gold IRA accounts
- Low yearly fees
- Exclusive new-client promotions
- Outstanding customer service
Goldco Precious Metals company is one of the most renowned precious metals IRA companies in the industry. They have over a decade of experience as an IRA broker, and their excellent customer service and competitive pricing make Goldco one of the best brokers for gold IRA investments.
During its rich history, Goldco has won numerous prestigious awards and currently has an A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and a triple-A rating from the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA).
As a broker, Goldco provides gold and silver IRAs and direct selling of physical precious metals, such as gold bars or silver coins. Both options are 100% secure and efficient, as well as come with relatively low fees, investment requirements, and competitive prices. The broker also offers a buyback option. However, where Goldco shines is its outstanding customer support.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$25,000
Fees:
$175-$225/year
Current Promotions:
Up to $10,000 in Free Silver
Pros
- Over a decade of experience handling Gold IRA accounts
- Low yearly fees
- Exclusive new-client promotions
- Outstanding customer service
Cons
- Online account setup is not supported.
- Initial IRA deposit of is $25,000.
Augusta Precious Metals
Best Pricing
Key Features
- Joe Montana is a corporate ambassador
- One-on-one conference
- Simple account opening process
- Extraordinary customer service
Augusta Precious Metals was founded in 2012 and is a family-owned IRA company. As one of the industry leaders, Augusta Precious Metals has become a safe haven for gold IRA and other precious metals investors, offering incredibly competitive pricing and one of the most efficient customer services available.
Coming with a AAA rating from the BCA and A+ rating from the BBB, Augusta Precious Metals is a proven and trusted gold IRA company. Their exceptional service is also proved by thousands of positive reviews from satisfied investors, who value Augusta Precious Metals for its unique approach to precious metals investments.
What this broker is especially valued for is its pricing model, which offers the most competitive prices among the best IRA companies. Augusta Precious Metals also puts a lot of emphasis on education, offering numerous educational materials from Harvard-trained educators. That makes it one of the best gold IRA companies for beginners.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$50,000
Fees:
$180/year
Current Promotions:
Fees waived (depending on the investment amount)
Pros
- Joe Montana is a corporate ambassador
- One-on-one conference
- Simple account opening process
- Extraordinary customer service
Cons
- Don’t offer platinum or palladium bullion
- Thorough and transparent process takes slightly longer
Noble Gold Investments
Lowest Fees
Key Features
Noble Gold Investments might be slightly less experienced than some of its competitors, but it doesn’t mean it falls behind. On the contrary, it exceeds many of its older counterparts in several areas. Where Noble Gold Investments excels is its fees, which are the lowest among all gold IRA companies reviewed here.
Of course, that is not the only thing that allows Noble Gold Investments to stand out. Besides the low and flat-rate fees, the broker also offers very low minimum investment requirements, fast shipping, and a nice range of IRA and other precious metals services. However, the fact that it’s only available to U.S. residents does lower its rating a bit in our eyes.
As for what the industry has to say about this IRA broker, both BCA and BBB rate Noble Gold Investments very highly, giving it their highest AAA and A+ ratings. The company is also valued among gold and silver investors, who talk only in superlatives about the company’s services and customer support.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$2,000
Fees:
$225/year
Current Promotions:
Incredible precious metals buyback program
Pros
Cons
Birch Gold Group
Best Customer Service
Key Features
- High business ratings from trusted sources
- Educational resources on precious metals and IRAs.
- Competitive Prices
- Excellent customer service
Founded in 2003, Birch Gold Group is a true veteran of gold and silver IRA investments. And as one of the most experienced brokers in the industry, Birch Gold Group does an excellent job providing some of the best traditional IRA and precious metals services. They are especially praised for their competitive pricing and excellent customer service.
The company is also rated A+ and AAA by the BBB and BCA, and its reviews online are mostly positive, with investors loving the broker for its exceptional service. Birch Gold Group users can buy and sell gold, silver, palladium, and platinum, and while its flat rate fees benefit mostly bigger investors, its competitive pricing model can prove attractive even to smaller or less experienced ones.
And speaking of less experienced IRA investors, Birch Gold Group offers them an extensive range of educational materials on precious metals and IRAs, ensuring every user is equipped with enough knowledge to make the right investment.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$10,000
Fees:
$180/year
Current Promotions:
Receive $1,000 in free silver (depends on investment amount)
Pros
- High business ratings from trusted sources
- Educational resources on precious metals and IRAs.
- Competitive Prices
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Only available to customers in the U.S.
- $10,000 minimum for non-IRA purchases
American Hartford Gold
Lowest Minimums
Key Features
- Low investment minimum
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
- Low annual fees
- Price match guarantee
If you’re looking for a gold IRA company with low minimum investment requirements, American Hartford Gold is your broker. While still relatively new on the IRA investment stage, the company has already made quite a name for itself, offering exceptional services approved by top rating agencies and IRA investors.
The broker has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a triple-A rating with the BCA. If that’s not enough for you, it has thousands of positive reviews on various platforms and is endorsed by no other than Bill O’Reilly. That’s more than enough for it to enter our list, but American Hartford Gold is more than just awards and ratings, the experience is also exceptional.
The company offers one of the lowest investment requirements in the industry, followed by low annual fees, and a price match guarantee. IRA and precious metals investors can buy and sell either gold or silver IRAs and physical precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$10,000
Fees:
Up to $150/year (charged by the custodian)
Current Promotions:
Receive up to $1,500 in free silver (with a qualifying purchase)
Pros
- Low investment minimum
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
- Low annual fees
- Price match guarantee
Cons
- International investment options are limited
- Only available for U.S. customers
-
No prices are listed on the catalog
Advantage Gold
Most Educational
Key Features
- Buyback services available
- U.S. Mint approved dealer
- Exceptional customer service and great customer reviews
- Easy to liquidate your investment retirement account.
Advantage Gold is an IRA company popular among new IRA and precious metals investors. That’s because of two factors. One, the broker offers very low minimum investment requirements. And two, Advantage Gold provides investors with one of the most extensive ranges of educational materials we’ve ever seen.
However, it doesn’t mean that Advantage Gold is only recommended for beginners. More experienced investors will also find the platform exciting, with the company offering a wide range of services involving precious metals, including gold and silver IRAs, exchange-trading funds (ETFs), and IRS-approved coins. The only real downside is that it’s impossible to make your purchases online. Not very convenient.
On the other hand, the wide range of services offered and exceptional customer service make Advantage Gold one of the most exciting new IRA companies. And while it may not be the best available option yet, it has everything required to become one in the near future.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
$25,000
Fees:
$225/year
Current Promotions:
Invest $50,000 (waives all fees for the first year )
Pros
- Buyback services available
- U.S. Mint approved dealer
- Exceptional customer service and great customer reviews
- Easy to liquidate your investment retirement account.
Cons
- Online purchase not available
- A relatively new company
Hard Assets Alliance
Best Security
Key Features
- Competitive pricing
- Easy to open an account
- Different account types
- Great storage options
Hard Assets Alliance is relatively new to the precious metals investment industry, but it has been on the tongues for some time now, with many investors praising the company for its advanced approach to security. And it’s true, Hard Assets Alliance is an exceptional broker when it comes to security and storage options. But there’s more.
Another area where Hard Assets Alliance shines is user-friendliness. It’s clear to see that the platform wants to attract new investors who don’t have experience in precious metals IRA investing. Their platform is very intuitive and allows users to quickly understand how precious metals and traditional IRA investments work.
On the other hand, the lack of customer service can be problematic. The company has also raised a few eyebrows due to its rather low transparency. And while the thousands of positive reviews seem to confirm its trustworthiness and quality, some investors might be reluctant to invest their funds with Hard Assets Alliance.
Important Information
Account Minimum:
N/A
Fees:
Storage Fees: 0.7%/year
Current Promotions:
$5/month minimum per account; waived for accounts with MetalStream activated.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Easy to open an account
- Different account types
- Great storage options
Cons
- No transparency
- Lack of customer service
What Is a Gold or Precious Metals IRA?
An IRA, or individual retirement account, is meant to see you through the retirement years. Traditional IRAs can involve various investments, like a 401(k) program, while gold and precious metal IRAs rely on stocks in gold companies or physical products, like gold and silver bullion coins.
Benefits of Having a Gold IRA
Investing in precious metal IRAs could carry significant benefits if you handle them properly. Keep in mind that precious metal IRAs, like any other investment, should only make up part of your portfolio.
Tax-free growth
Though the IRS has guidelines and rules for gold IRAs, they also provide some special benefits for using them. Contributions are tax-deductible, and you have some tax-free rollover options.
Security
As we’ve seen time and again, banks, stocks, and paper money can rise and fall. Gold and other precious metals offer more security in uncertain times because they remain almost universally coveted.
Diversification
Spreading your investments around and choosing a combination of assets builds a more diverse retirement portfolio. The diversification approach limits the risk of loss and helps you survive any market volatility.
Capital appreciation
Gold prices change like anything else, but they trend toward increases, often substantial, making them a solid investment plan. Likewise, other precious metals follow a similar trend, though they all differ slightly.
Limit inflation
Though gold prices trend upward, they usually run opposite paper money and stocks, meaning they may protect you against inflation. When stocks and other paper assets plummet, you can rely on precious metal IRAs to hold their own and keep you afloat.
Gold IRA Rules & Regulation
The best gold IRA companies know the rules and regulations so that they can stay in business. However, as an investor, it helps to have an idea about what to expect before you enter into an investment.
Gold standards
We’ve come a long way from the days of the 49ers prospecting for gold, but just like those days, investors have standards. You can’t use just any gold for an IRA, it must meet requirements outlined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including a minimum fineness.
Unfortunately, not just any gold qualifies for an IRA. Even some of the most valuable collector’s coins fall short of the minimum fineness ratings, making them collectibles instead of assets.
Gold and other precious metals must meet fineness standards of .999 or 99.9%.
Purchase through a custodian
Also, unlike the prospectors of old, you can’t take any gold you find or possess and shift it into an IRA. You must purchase precious metals through an IRS-approved custodian.
Special storage
If a gold IRA gives you the image of opening a lockbox in your home whenever you feel the need to gaze upon your investment, you are in for a surprise. The physical gold, or other precious metals, must remain within a bank or IRS-approved trustee.
Many providers allow you to choose segregated or non-segregated storage. Segregated storage means your precious metals have their own space in the facility, while non-segregated vaults contain gold belonging to several people.
Required minimum distribution
Like most IRAs, gold and precious metals have required minimum distributions (RMD). While it may not be an issue some years, other years you may end up struggling to sell the gold at an optimal time to meet that minimum and avoid penalties.
FAQ’s
Once you determine that a gold IRA is right for you, it helps to know how to set on up. Though you may not want to rush into anything, you be surprised by how easy it is.
How to Invest in a Gold IRA
Once you determine that a gold IRA is right for you, it helps to know how to set one up. Though you may not want to rush into anything, you may be surprised by how easy it is.
Step #1: Choose a gold IRA provider
Since you need to go through an IRS-approved custodian, that’s the best place to start. It’s important to find a reputable company to work with but note that some brokers may suggest custodians they know.
Doing your homework is crucial to protect yourself and your investments. Since you’re developing a self-directed IRA, many firms don’t offer support for choosing a gold broker or custodian.
As you research companies, don’t be afraid to ask questions and dig deep.
- Look for transparency, especially regarding fees and minimum thresholds.
- Check the company’s history from objective sources, like the Better Business Bureau and other review sites.
- Make sure the company possesses all necessary licenses, registration, and insurance. Remember that the company must be IRS-approved to handle a gold IRA.
As a final note about choosing a provider, don’t underestimate your gut feeling. If a company seems too good to be true or doesn’t seem to offer a personal experience, it may not be the right fit.
Step #2: Begin rollover or transaction process
Establish the self-directed gold IRA account and set up your contribution. You could also roll over funds from qualified plans. Make sure you meet all minimums and work within the established contribution limits.
Step: #3: Invest in gold or precious metals
While you can’t buy just any gold or silver, you have some options. Depending on the provider you chose, they may provide you with a selection of dealers to use. Again, everything you purchase must meet the IRS guidelines to work for a gold IRA.
Best Customer Support
Ranked #1 for Best Pricing
When it comes to customer service, fees, safety, and overall customer satisfaction, Goldco checks all of the boxes.