Investing in a Gold IRA can be a smart financial move, allowing you to diversify your retirement portfolio with a tangible asset. However, finding the right company to set up and maintain your Gold IRA is crucial. You want to make sure you’re working with a reputable company that charges reasonable fees and offers excellent customer service.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll review5 Most Trusted Gold IRA Companies based on reputation, fees, customer reviews and more. We’ll provide an in-depth look at each company’s pros and cons to help you determine which is the best fit for your Gold IRA.
Additionally, we’ll answer common questions about Gold IRAs like “Who has the best gold IRA?”, “What is the best company to invest in gold?” and more. Read on for our top picks for the most trusted Gold IRA companies and what you need to know when investing in gold for your retirement funds.
Top 5 Most Trusted Gold IRA Companies
Here are our choices for the top 5 most trusted Gold IRA companies:
- American Hartford Gold – Best Overall
- Augusta Precious Metals – Most Storage Options
- Goldco – Best Customer Service
- Orion Metal Exchange – Lowest Fees
- Patriot Gold Group – Best Selection of Coins
Keep reading for an in-depth review of each company’s offerings, fees, and more to help you decide where to invest your retirement savings.
1 American Hartford Gold – Best Overall
American Hartford Gold is our choice for the best overall and most trusted Gold IRA company because of their combination of exceptional customer service, low fees, and wide range of IRA-approved gold and silver coins and bars.
Pros:
- Extremely knowledgeable account reps
- Low account fees
- Wide selection of IRS-approved coins
- Segregated storage options
- Fast processing and delivery
Cons:
- Higher minimum investment than some competitors
- Storage fees are slightly higher than the lowest in the industry
American Hartford Gold sets itself apart with its focus on education and ensuring clients understand the benefits of a Gold IRA. Their account representatives take time to explain the setup process, transfer procedures, and best ways to fund a Gold IRA.
They charge no account setup fees, administration fees, or annual fees – an uncommon benefit in the Gold IRA industry. Their only fees are for buying, selling, and storing precious metals. These fees are very competitive compared to other Gold IRA companies.
Investors can choose from an extensive selection of gold and silver coins and bars that are sanctioned by the IRS for inclusion in Gold IRAs. Coins options include American Gold and Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, Austrian Philharmonics, and more.
Storage fees are 0.1% per month for non-segregated storage, where your metals are stored with other investors’ metals. For segregated storage where your metals are stored alone in your own compartment, the fees are 0.2% per month.
Overall, American Hartford Gold stands out with their balance of excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and wide selection.
READ ALSO: 5 Best Precious Metal Mining Stocks
2 Augusta Precious Metals – Most Storage Options
Augusta Precious Metals takes the #2 spot in our rankings because they offer an unmatched range of secure Gold IRA storage options for investors to choose from.
Pros:
- Many international storage choices
- State-of-the-art security features
- Fast order processing and delivery
- No account fees
Cons:
- Higher minimum investment amount
- Slightly higher premiums on some coins
Augusta provides Gold IRA investors with more international storage choices than any other Gold company. In addition to US options, you can select from locations in London, Singapore, Switzerland, and Canada.
Their depository partners also utilize advanced security features like iris scans, motion detectors, and military-style barriers. Augusta covers insurance for up to $1 billion in assets stored with their partners.
Orders ship quickly after you fund your account, arriving to your selected depository usually within 7 to 10 business days.
Augusta charges no account setup, administration, or maintenance fees. The only fees are their commission when buying coins and bars and storage fees. While these tend to be slightly higher than some competitors, many investors find the enhanced security and storage options worthwhile.
The minimum investment to open an Augusta Precious Metals Gold IRA is $50,000, higher than some other Gold IRA companies. However investors with substantial retirement savings will appreciate Augusta’s secure storage options.
3 Goldco – Best Customer Service
Excellent customer service and a strong focus on education make Goldco our choice for the Gold IRA company offering the best customer experience.
Pros:
- Exceptional customer service
- Many educational resources
- No fees for transfers or storage
- Fast order processing and delivery
Cons:
- Higher minimum investment than some competitors
- Slightly higher premiums on some coins
From your initial contact with a Goldco account representative, you’ll appreciate their attentive yet low-pressure customer service. They take time to educate prospective clients on Gold IRAs and rare coins without an overly sales-y approach.
On their website, you’ll find a wide selection of free resources like ebooks, videos, podcasts, and more to learn about precious metals investing. The information is useful for both beginners and more experienced investors.
Goldco charges no fees for account setup, administration, or precious metals transfers from other IRAs or 401ks. They also cover storage fees for the first year, an uncommon benefit among Gold IRA providers.
Once you fund your account, orders ship very quickly – often in as little as 2 to 5 business days. Investors can take delivery of metals or have them directly deposited into secure storage at one of Goldco’s depository partners.
The minimum investment to open a Goldco Gold IRA is $25,000. While higher than some competitors, many investors find exceptional customer service and educational resources worthwhile at this investment level.
4 Orion Metal Exchange – Lowest Fees
Investors looking for a Gold IRA provider with the lowest fees and commissions should consider Orion Metal Exchange. They offer among the most competitive rates in the industry.
Pros:
- Extremely low fees
- No account setup or annual fees
- Fast order processing and fulfillment
- Wide selection of products
Cons:
- Higher minimum investment than some competitors
- Fewer educational resources than some Gold IRA companies
Orion Metal Exchange charges no account setup fees, no annual account fees, and no fees for transferring or rolling over an existing IRA. They also offer lifetime fee waivers for accounts over $150,000.
Their trading commissions and spreads on coins, bars, and bullion are very competitively priced compared to other Gold IRA companies. Storage fees are reasonable and there are no hidden charges.
Once funded, new purchases ship out extremely quickly – often within just 1 business day. Orion has built strong relationships with mints and suppliers to source precious metals rapidly.
Investors can choose from a wide variety of IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. Other unique offerings include rare coins.
The minimum investment for an Orion Gold IRA is $50,000. While higher than some competitors, you get access to their institutional purchasing power with competitive rates. Orion may be a great choice if your priority is minimizing fees.
READ ALSO: Choosing the Best Gold IRA Custodian for You
5 Patriot Gold Group – Best Selection of Coins
Patriot Gold Group rounds out our list with their huge selection of gold and silver coins available for Gold IRAs. Investors who want specific coins will appreciate their expansive inventory.
Pros:
- Massive selection of investment-grade coins
- Competitive account fees
- Good educational resources
- No fees for the first year
Cons:
- Slowest shipping times of companies on this list
- $25,000 minimum investment
With decades of experience in the coin industry, Patriot Gold offers an enormous inventory of domestic and foreign gold and silver coins. Their buy-back guarantee also allows investors to sell back their coins to Patriot at competitive rates.
Patriot Gold charges no account setup fees and all account fees are waived in the first year. Storage and transaction fees are reasonable.
The company provides a library of educational videos, articles, and downloadable investor guides to learn about Gold IRAs. The information is useful for both new and experienced precious metals investors.
One downside is Patriot’s slower order fulfillment and shipping times. Most purchases take 10 to 15 business days to reach the customer or selected depository. But if you desire specific coins, their unrivaled selection may outweigh the slower shipping.
The minimum Gold IRA investment with Patriot is $25,000. If you value variety in your coin selection, Patriot is an excellent option for a Gold IRA.
Factors to Consider When Comparing Gold IRA Companies
When choosing a Gold IRA company, here are some key factors to consider beyond just fees and selection:
Customer Service – How knowledgeable and responsive is the customer service team? Do they take time to educate you on Gold IRAs and address your questions? Exceptional customer service is worth paying a little more.
Storage Options – Does the company offer private segregated storage or just pooled storage? Can you choose between domestic and international storage locations? More options are better.
Security Measures – What security features do the storage facilities provide? Look for state-of-the-art systems like biometric scans and motion sensors, 24/7 monitoring, and rigid authentication to access accounts.
Shipping Times – How quickly can you get your physical gold after funding your account? Faster shipping speeds are better in case you want to take personal delivery.
Buyback Policy – Will the company buy back gold/silver coins and bars at competitive rates if you want to sell in the future? A guarantee makes liquidation easy.
Cancellation Policy – Make sure there are no hidden fees if you want to cancel your Gold IRA or transfer to another custodian. Many companies charge cancellation penalties.
Reputation – Research online reviews from other customers. Look for companies with an overwhelmingly positive reputation for service and fair fees.
READ ALSO: Warning Signs of an Untrustworthy Gold IRA Company
Choosing the Right Gold IRA Company for You
The best Gold IRA company for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider factors like minimum investments, fees, selection of metals, and more.
Investors who want the best overall Gold IRA provider may opt for American Hartford Gold because of their balance of great service, education, and competitive rates.
Those concerned with storage security may choose Augusta Precious Metals for their state-of-the-art facilities and insurance.
Customers who value an exceptional customer experience may prefer Goldco because of their stellar educational resources and support.
Orion Metal Exchange may appeal to investors strictly wanting to minimize fees and commissions.
And Patriot Gold Group could be ideal for those who prioritize a massive selection of investment-grade coins.
Any of our top 5 ranked companies are excellent options for investing in physical precious metals through a Gold IRA. Be sure to research each provider thoroughly before making your choice.
To Recap
Choosing the right Gold IRA company is key to maximizing the benefits of diversifying your retirement portfolio with precious metals. After extensive research, our top 5 most trusted Gold IRA providers are American Hartford Gold, Augusta Precious Metals, Goldco, Orion Metal Exchange, and Patriot Gold Group. Each offers unique advantages to consider.
Focus on your personal priorities and take time to thoroughly evaluate Gold IRA companies before investing your hard-earned retirement savings. A reputable provider can help ensure you have a positive experience buying physical gold and silver to stabilize and grow your nest egg. With the right IRA custodian, gold can be an asset that retains its value no matter what the markets are doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about investing in gold and Gold IRAs:
Who has the best gold IRA?
Based on reputation, fees, selection, and more – our choice for the best overall gold IRA provider is American Hartford Gold. Their customer service, education, and combination of reasonable account and storage fees makes them our top pick.
What is the best company to invest in gold?
The best company for you to invest in gold through a Gold IRA depends on your priorities. American Hartford Gold is a great overall choice. Goldco provides exceptional education and support. Augusta Precious Metals offers the most secure storage. And Orion Metal Exchange features the lowest fees.
How do I choose the best gold IRA company?
When picking the best Gold IRA company for your needs, look at factors like account fees, minimum investments, selection of IRS-approved coins/bars, storage fees, shipping times, buyback policies, reputation, and more. Determine your top priorities and find a provider who best fits them.
Is a gold IRA a good investment?
A Gold IRA can be an excellent part of a diversified retirement portfolio. Gold often moves independently from other assets like stocks and bonds. Adding precious metals to your IRA helps protect against inflation and market crashes. Gold IRAs involve a long-term investment, not getting rich quick.
Is gold a good investment for the future?
Investing in gold for the long-term can be smart because gold tends to maintain its value over time. With concerns over rising inflation and stock market volatility, precious metals like gold are set to potentially increase in value. Gold can offer stability to your investments through changing economic environments.
How do I start a gold IRA?
Starting a Gold IRA involves choosing a provider, filling out an application, funding your account by rolling over or transferring at least $5,000 from an existing IRA or 401k, and selecting your gold/silver coins or bars. A custodian will oversee and manage the account to make sure it complies with IRS rules. Reputable companies like the ones on our list can help you get started.
Which is better – gold IRA or Roth IRA?
The better option depends on your specific situation. Gold IRAs function similarly to traditional IRAs in that contributions are tax-deductible and you pay taxes when making withdrawals. With Roth IRAs, you don’t deduct contributions but withdrawals are tax-free. Gold IRAs provide tangible assets while Roth IRAs typically involve investments like stocks. Combining both can help diversify your savings.
In another related article, How to Choose the Best Gold IRA Company for Your Needs