Augusta Precious Metals vs. Goldco: Which company is better?

Investing in gold can be a smart way to protect your wealth. You might be considering Augusta Precious Metals vs. Goldco to open an account with.

This comparison will help you understand what each company offers.

Read more to learn which one is right for you.

Augusta Precious Metals vs. Goldco: At a Glance

Criteria	Augusta	Goldco	Winner
Our Rating	9/10	9.5/10	Goldco
Product Offerings	9	9	Tie
Pricing & Fees	8	8	Tie
Guarantees	9	9.5	Goldco
Storage & Security	9	10	Goldco
Account Setup & Maintenance	9	9	Tie
Reputation & Reviews	9.5	10	Goldco
Customer Experience	9.5	9.5	Tie
Resources & Tools	9.5	9	Augusta
Flexibility & Investment Options	8	8	Tie
Ease of Rollover & Transfer Process	8	9	Goldco

Augusta Precious Metals

Located in Beverly Hills, Augusta Precious Metals has provided investors with gold IRAs since its founding in 2012.

Augusta Precious Metals offers a robust educational library and one-on-one support to gold investors. It prides itself on being a professional and trustworthy leader in the industry.

Pros & Cons

Best For

New gold investors who want hands-on support and access to educational resources.

Goldco

Founded in California in 2011, Goldco’s mission is to help Americans achieve financial security. The company specializes in gold IRAs to help investors do just that.

It’s managed $2 billion in precious metal investments since it was founded and has received endorsements from Chuck Norris and Sean Hannity.

Pros & Cons

Best For

Experienced investors who want to take direct custody of their gold investments.

Product Offerings

Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco both provide:

• Gold and Silver American Eagle coins
• Gold American Buffalo coins
• Canadian Gold and Silver Maple Leaf coins
• Gold and Silver bars

Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals both have strong reputations as reputable gold dealers. All gold must maintain a purity of 99.5% and meet IRS guidelines for inclusion in a gold IRA.

Investors who want to invest in other precious metals have the option to do so with Goldco. It offers platinum, and palladium alongside gold and silver.

Investors who work with Goldco can make direct purchases.

✅ Winner: Tie

Pricing & Fees

Like most gold IRA companies, Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco do not list their prices publicly. You’ll need to call and speak with a representative to get current pricing.

To set up an account, both companies charge a $50 one-time fee. Augusta charges $200 for annual custodian administration and security.

Goldco charges slightly more, $125 for custodian administration and $100 to $150 for storage depending on whether you opt for segregated or non-segregated storage.

Other fees to consider include wire transfer fees. Augusta Precious Metals does not disclose their fees but. Goldco charges a $30 fee.

✅ Winner: Tie

Guarantees

Goldco offers the highest buyback guarantee offering to purchase liquidated gold at the best price available. Augusta Precious Metals does buy back precious metals but it can be lower than the current rate.

When it comes to pricing, Augusta Precious Metals offers a 7-day Price Protection Program.

This allows customers to request a price revision if the price drops within seven days of placing an order. Goldco does not offer any pricing guarantees.

Augusta Precious Metals offers a better insurance guarantee than Goldco. It works with Delaware Depository to provide up to $1 billion in all-risk insurance. 

Goldco does not provide any specifics on insurance coverage. Investors are encouraged to insure their gold under a homeowner’s or renter’s policy.

✅ Winner: Goldco

Storage & Security

Augusta Precious Metals works with Delaware Depository who offers investors the choice between segregated and non-segregated storage at vaults around the United States. 

Goldco also offers segregated and non-segregated storage options but does not disclose which depositories it works with. They partner with Equity Trust Company as a SDIRA trustee.

Gold IRA depositories provide top of the line security to ensure your gold is protected. This includes 24/7 surveillance and protection against theft.

Investors who want to schedule a time to visit the vault holding their gold can do so with Augusta Precious Metals.

Goldco does not provide the same option. Instead, investors will need to work with Equity Trust to access their gold.

Augusta Precious Metals provides insurance coverage up to $1 billion. Investors who work with Goldco may need to obtain their own insurance, especially if they decide to take direct custody of their precious metals.

✅ Winner: Goldco

Account Setup & Maintenance

Setting up an account with either Augusta Precious Metals or Goldco is a relatively straightforward process. 

You’ll start by working with a representative to complete the required paperwork. This includes verifying your identity with a driver’s license as well as signing an account agreement.

Once your account is open you will need to fund it. You can do this by depositing money into the account or rolling over an existing retirement account.

The representative will work with you to ensure your rollover complies with IRS requirements.

Goldco allows direct rollovers from an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or TSP. Augusta Precious Metals allows rollovers from a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) or 403(b).

Rollovers typically take two weeks to complete. All rollovers must be completed within 60 days to avoid tax penalties.

After your account is funded you can select and purchase precious metals to invest in. A customer service representative will assist you with this process.

Depending on whether you decide to take direct custody of your precious metals or store them at a depository, the entire process can take up to twelve weeks.

Neither company offers direct access to your account through an online portal. You’ll need to work with an account manager once your account is open.

✅ Winner: Tie

Reputation & Reviews

Investors who work with Augusta Precious Metals highlight excellent customer service and personalized support. The company has overwhelmingly positive reviews from the BBB, Google, and TrustPilot.

Goldco has a similar reputation. Investors highlight the knowledge and professionalism of the company’s staff, especially when it comes to setting up an account. 

Goldco also has overwhelmingly positive reviews on TrustPilot, Google, and the BBB, however it does have more complaints than Augusta Precious Metals.

In the last twelve months, Goldco has handled 19 complaints while Augusta hasn’t had any.

The most common Goldco complaints include lack of pricing transparency that leaves investors feeling taken advantage of.

While Augusta Precious Metals doesn’t have any formal complaints, investors cite a lack of personalized services.

Both companies have a strong industry reputation with notable celebrity endorsements and an A+ rating with the BBB.

Augusta Precious Metals maintains social media accounts on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Goldco maintains accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

✅ Winner: Goldco

Customer Experience

Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco both offer support via phone, email, and live chat. Investors report positive experiences with responsive representatives at both companies.

Customer support is available at Augusta Precious Metals Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST. Goldco customers can access customer support Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

Augusta Precious Metals offers one-on-one consultations to help clients understand market trends.

Goldco’s support staff is knowledgeable about the products it offers but the company does not provide one-on-one financial support for investors.

✅ Winner: Tie

Resources & Tools

Both Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco offer a comprehensive resource library, including articles, guides, and educational materials designed to help investors understand precious metals. 

Each company also offers a free gold guide that outlines key information about investing in gold and silver IRAs.

Augusta Precious Metals also hosts conferences led by experienced financial professionals to discuss market trends and investment strategies. 

Both companies strive to keep customers informed with the news and regular updates about market trends. At this time, neither company offers online investment calculators or planning tools.

✅ Winner: Augusta Precious Metals

Flexibility & Investment Options

Both Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco offer a variety of options that cater to different investment strategies and preferences. Each company offers investors the chance to invest in gold and silver.

Augusta Precious Metals focuses on investments within an IRA while Goldco offers the chance to purchase gold directly.

Each company offers self-directed IRAs. This gives investors more control over their investment choices.

At this time, both companies are limited to precious metals and do not provide the option to use a SDIRA to invest in alternative assets like real estate.

Both companies offer the option to easily liquidate your gold. Goldco guarantees you’ll get the highest price for your gold.

While Augusta Precious Metals offers buybacks, it isn’t guaranteed.

✅ Winner: Tie

Ease of Rollover & Transfer Process

Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco give you the option to fund a gold IRA by rolling over an existing retirement savings account. Each company works with you individually to make it as easy as possible.

You can get started by calling a customer representative directly or requesting a free gold guide.

Each company provides comprehensive support, however, Augusta Precious Metals is more highly regarded for their expertise about gold investing.

After an initial consultation, you’ll work with a company representative to complete the required documents to open your account and rollover your funds. This includes personal identification and transfer forms.

Once your account is funded both Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco will work with you to select your investments. 

While Goldco can take a bit longer to process, both companies have received positive feedback about their rollover process.

Investors who work with Augusta appreciate hands-on support while Goldco customers recognize the company’s responsiveness.

✅ Winner: Goldco

Standout Features for Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals distinguishes itself from Goldco by going above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service.

Dedicated one-on-one support

Augusta Precious Metals prioritizes personalized service by providing each client with a dedicated agent. You’ll get lifetime account support that you can access any time and help tailoring your investment strategy as your needs change.

Emphasis on investor education

Augusta’s investor education program is led by a Harvard-trained economist who helps investors understand macroeconomic conditions. Combined with conferences investors can get a better sense of how the economy impacts their personal investing strategy.

Price protection

Augusta Precious Metals offers a 7-day Price Protection Program that allows you to request a price revision if the market drops when you’re making a purchase. This makes it easier to ensure you’re investing at a fair price.

Standout Features for Goldco

Goldco stands out by offering investors with greater flexibility in investing in gold.

Direct custody of precious metals

The ability to take direct custody of gold sets Goldco apart. Instead of relying on a custodian, if you want to hold your own gold, Goldco makes it possible for you to do so.

Competitive buyback guarantee

Goldco offers a highest buyback guarantee promising to buyback your gold at the best price possible.

Goldco vs. Augusta Precious Metals: My Verdict

Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals are both reputable gold IRA companies.

Augusta is best for investors who are new to gold and want hands-on support while Goldco is best for experienced investors who want to manage their gold investments directly.

Goldco is the clear winner. It offers one-on-one support, in-house expertise, strong guarantees, and transparent storage solutions. 

While Goldco offers better product options and a strong buyback guarantee, its lack of economic expertise and third-party partner transparency.