7 Best Gold IRA Companies of 2024 (ranked by experts)

GoldIRACompanies.com provides unbiased evaluations of top gold IRA companies by objectively scoring each company. We bring years of experience in finance and economics to add context to help you understand how investing in gold works.

All of the gold companies we evaluated offer something different to investors. Goldco was our overall top pick for providing good customer support, product offerings, and educational materials for new investors. 

Some companies we evaluated are for more advanced investors with larger account balances. Others are suited for new investors who want to learn more about how gold can help hedge against economic downturns. 

Keep reading to learn more about the criteria we used to evaluate each gold company on our list and how you can find the right gold company to invest in.

Best Gold IRA Companies of 2024

1. Goldco – Best Overall
2. Birch Gold Group – Best Customer Service
3. Noble Gold Investments – Best Pricing
4. Augusta Precious Metals – Best Customer Education
5. Advantage Gold – Best for 1st Time Investors
6. Priority Gold – Best Customer Experience
7. American Hartford Gold – Best Promotions

1. Goldco – Best Overall

Editors’ opinion

Goldco is the top pick, scoring 90% out of 100. The company offers a large variety of gold and precious metal assets. It supports rollovers from different accounts, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, thrift savings plans, and savings accounts.

Best suited for

Investors looking to roll over a sizable portfolio from an existing retirement plan. Investors must deposit at least $25,000 before they can begin investing in a gold IRA.

BBB Rating

Goldco has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.81 stars from 1,041 customer reviews.

Fees & Minimums

Goldco investors will need to deposit at least $25,000 to purchase gold within an IRA or $15,000 if they want to buy gold or silver directly. There is a one-time account set-up fee of $50, and the custodian fee ranges from $200 to $250, depending on which custodian you choose.

Pros & Cons

Goldco is a top company offering gold IRAs and rollovers for several different retirement plans. It takes an education-first approach to help investors understand the impact precious metal investing can have on their portfolios and the overall economy. 

When you invest with Goldco, you can store your gold with one of Goldco’s custodians or send it directly to you. Its account offerings allow you to rollover your 401(k), 403(b) thrift savings plan, or IRA while providing the same tax benefits. 

The company has been in business since 2006 and has a reputable customer service record. Compared to other companies, Goldco has a smaller selection of precious metals to choose from and higher deposit minimums.

Company Highlights

• Excellent customer service
• Incentive to invest more
• Long-standing reputation as a reputable gold dealer
• Top-notch educational resources

Why we chose Goldco

• Silver bonus encourages investing
• Reputable customer service
• High BBB rating

2. Birch Gold Group – Best customer service

Editors’ opinion

Birch Gold Group has the best customer service, answering questions for new investors to help them feel confident in their investment decisions. It scored 85.7% overall.

Best for Suited For

New investors who need help navigating how to add gold to their investment portfolio.

BBB Rating

Birch Gold has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.31 stars from 102 customer reviews.

Fees & Minimums

Birch Gold Group requires an initial minimum purchase of $10,000. There are no minimum requirements to maintain an account.

Opening an account comes with a one-time $50 setup fee. After that, account holders are charged $200 annually to cover storage, insurance, and account management. Account fees are the same for all accounts, regardless of size.

This fee structure could benefit investors with a larger balance who want to take advantage of low fees.

Pros & Cons

Birch Gold Group stands out for its customer service and rollover options. Offering gold IRAs since 2002, Birch Gold Group is one of the oldest companies in the business. Its customer service team is very knowledgeable about the impact gold can have on your portfolio. 

You can rollover your retirement savings from several IRAs, including a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA. You can also rollover your savings from an employer-sponsored retirement account like a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b).

Company Highlights

• Strong customer service record
• Flat fee structure
• Easy rollover process across several employer-sponsored accounts
• Offers two decades of expertise

Why we chose Birch Gold Group

• Easy rollover process
• Low deposit requirement
• Exceptional customer service record

3. Noble Gold Investments – Best pricing

Editors’ opinion

Noble Gold Investments offers the most competitive costs for someone just starting a gold IRA. They earned an overall score of 90%.

Best for Suited For

Good for someone who wants to start investing in precious metals but doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg doing so.

BBB Rating

Goldco has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.98 stars from 186 customer reviews.

Fees & Minimums

Investors will need to make a $20,000 minimum investment to open a gold IRA with Noble Gold Investments. There is an annual $80 fee to maintain the account, and storing your gold with one of Noble Gold Investments depositories will come with an additional yearly fee of $100 to $150, depending on how your gold is stored.

Noble Gold Investments does not provide pricing on specific purchases. You’ll need to contact a customer service representative for more information.

Pros & Cons

Noble Gold Investments offers competitive pricing for investors looking to set up a gold IRA. They charge an $80 annual fee and a separate depository storage fee lower than most of their competitors. 

Noble Gold Investments offer retirement rollovers, but where they stand out is in their emergency packs. These are designed to allow investors to keep gold on hand during times of emergency.

Company Highlights

• Makes it easy to liquidate gold
• Simple process to open an account
• Low annual fee compared to other gold companies
• Industry newcomer – in business since 2016

Why we chose Noble Gold Investments

• Low fees and competitive pricing
• Ability to liquidate gold when you need it
• Strong BBB rating and good customer reviews

4. Augusta Precious Metals – Best customer education

Editors’ opinion

Augusta Precious Metals provides the best education for customers interested in learning how to invest in gold. It scored 85.7%.

Best for Suited For

Investors who want to learn more about investing in gold and precious metals.

BBB Rating

Augusta Precious Metals has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.94 stars from 104 customer reviews. Notably, the company has not had any complaints during the last year.

Fees & Minimums

All of Augusta Precious Metals’ IRAs are self-directed. There are no fees to manage a gold IRA, but there is a $50,000 minimum order requirement to make IRA purchases. There is an account set-up fee of $50, an annual custodian fee of $100, and a depository storage fee of $100.

Augusta Precious Metals does not provide prices for individual coins or bars. You’ll need to call and speak with a representative for more detailed pricing information.

Pros & Cons

Based in Beverly Hills, Augusta Precious Metals has been in business since 2012. It primarily offers gold and silver IRAs and assists investors who wish to rollover their savings from an existing retirement account. 

The company provides great educational support to help its clients understand the value of investing in precious metals. Augusta Precious Metals has a strong reputation for customer service and is one of only two companies we reviewed that had no recent complaints.

Company Highlights

• Education-first mission
• Simple process to rollover existing retirement savings
• Award-winning customer service
• No hidden fees

Why we chose Augusta Precious Metals

• Strong emphasis on investor education 
• Good buy back policy
• No BBB complaints

5. Advantage Gold – Best for 1st Time Investors

Editors’ opinion

Advantage Gold’s IRA gives investors a range of options, making it good for first-time gold investors. It scored 88.6%.

Best for Suited For

First-time investors just starting to invest in precious metals.

BBB Rating

Advantage Gold has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.88 stars from 74 customer reviews. It has not had any customer complaints in the last year.

Fees & Minimums

Advantage Gold charges a $50 one-time account set-up fee. Annually, investors can expect to pay between $80 to $100 for a custodian fee and $95 to $250 for a storage fee, depending on where you decide to store your gold.

Advantage Gold also offers a first-year fee waiver for investments over $50,000. There is a $10,000 minimum for cash purchases and a $25,000 deposit minimum for IRAs.

Pros & Cons

Advantage Gold is a top-rated gold dealer offering a competitive gold IRA well-suited for first-time investors. Investors can work with an account manager to help them set up an account. 

Its fees are competitive, and Advantage Gold gives new investors different options for storing their gold. Advantage Gold’s team of professional experts makes the company a good resource for investors who want to learn more about investing in gold.

Company Highlights

• Investors can choose where they want to deposit their gold
• Large accounts can receive a fee waiver for the first year
• Strong industry ratings and customer reviews
• First-time investors will work with a trained professional to open an account

Why we chose Advantage Gold

• Good reputation
• Flexible fee structure
• Expert-level support

6. Priority Gold – Best for Customer Experience

Editors’ opinion

Priority Gold puts customers first to give investors a high-quality experience. It scored 80% out of 100.

Best for Suited For

Someone looking for extra support and would benefit from a great customer experience.

BBB Rating

Priority Gold has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.27 stars from 11 customer reviews.

Fees & Minimums

Priority Gold charges a one-time $50 setup fee. There’s an annual service fee of $125 and an annual storage fee between $100 to $175. 

Priority Gold requires a minimum purchase price of $10,000 and $20,000 to set up an IRA. The company will waive first-year fees for investors who deposit at least $50,000.

Pros & Cons

Priority Gold is a reputable precious metals dealer with a strong customer service record. It offers competitive pricing and covers first-year fees for qualifying clients. While the company strives to be user-friendly, it might be challenging to discern which coins are IRA-eligible.

Company Highlights

• Good customer service record
• First-year fee coverage for qualifying investors
• Competitive account fees
• More than two decades of experience

Why we chose Priority Gold

• Length of time in the industry
• Competitive pricing
• Customer support

7. American Hartford Gold – Best Promotions

Editors’ opinion

American Hartford Gold helps investors get more out of their investments. It scored 65.7%

Best for Suited For

Experienced investors who want to take advantage of the company’s offerings.

BBB Rating

American Hartford Gold has an A+ rating from the BBB. It has earned 4.95 stars from 526 customer reviews. American Hartford Gold had the most complaints in the last year of the companies we reviewed.

Fees & Minimums

American Hartford Gold requires an initial purchase of $10,000 to open a gold IRA and a $5,000 purchase for cash accounts. Its fees are on the higher end compared to other gold companies.

There’s an initial fee of $230 to apply for and open an account. Afterward, investors will pay $200 annually for custodian services, storage, and insurance.

The company does not provide transparent pricing on its website. You’ll need to call and speak with a customer service representative to learn more.

Pros & Cons

Established in 2015, American Hartford Gold is a respected precious metals dealer in Los Angeles. The company is well-suited for investors looking to diversify their retirement accounts with precious metals, especially those with larger deposits, as American Hartford Gold will waive fees for qualifying investors.

American Hartford Gold provides good customer support but has had the most complaints from any of the companies we reviewed.

Company Highlights

• Low minimum investment requirement of $5,000 for cash accounts and $10,000 for gold IRAs
• Strong buyback commitment with no fees
• Reputable dealer offering a wide range of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars, available for both direct purchase and inclusion in a gold IRA
• Good reputation

Why we chose American Hartford Gold

• Ability to liquidate your gold when you need it
• Low IRA minimum
• Opportunity to waive fees

Gold IRA Investors Guide

Gold can be a good option to protect your savings against inflation. Here is everything you need to know about gold IRAs, how they work, and things you’ll want to consider when choosing a gold company to invest with.

What’s a gold IRA and how does it work?

A gold IRA is a type of IRA that allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals. Instead of holding things like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, a gold IRA allows you to add physical coins or bars to your retirement savings. 

Some investors choose to invest in gold because it can protect against inflation while adding diversification to their asset allocation. Gold is considered a safe investment during economic downturns or periods of high inflation. 

A gold IRA comes with additional costs that you won’t find in a traditional IRA or a regular Roth IRA. Investors must store their gold at a secure facility rather than holding it themselves.

Expect to pay a custodian fee for a financial institution to manage your account and storage fees to keep your gold at a depository.

To open a gold IRA, rollover your retirement savings or set up a new account with a company that offers gold IRAs.

They will usually assist you in completing the paperwork and processing your rollover so that you don’t incur any tax penalties.

Once your account is funded, you can begin selecting gold or other precious metals to invest in. Your purchases will be sent to a depository on your behalf.

You’ll receive documentation to verify the inventory in your account and validate it is compliant with IRS guidelines.

Beginning at age 59 ½, you can start making distributions. This allows you to take physical possession of your gold. You simply sell your gold and convert it into cash to take your distribution.

Investment Risks with Gold IRAs

While gold has historically been considered a good store of value, the actual sale price can vary. Price volatility can negatively affect the sale price of gold, depending on when you decide to sell your gold.

Combined with storage and custodian fees, your investment could lose value.

Physical gold can also be harder to liquidate. Just because you have gold to sell doesn’t mean there’s demand for it in the market. You could find yourself in a position when you’re ready to begin taking distributions from your account but cannot find a buyer willing to trade you for cash.

When you open a gold IRA, you aren’t able to hold your physical gold. Strict IRS guidelines must be followed for gold to qualify as part of a tax-benefitted IRA.

You’ll need to rely on several third parties – including a custodian and depository – to safeguard your gold. This comes with several risks, including physical security risks and compliance issues.

Unlike other assets, gold doesn’t generate revenue. You won’t be able to generate income from your gold IRA into retirement, making it hard to protect your savings.

Why You Might Want a Gold IRA

A gold IRA is something to consider if you’re concerned about the economy and want to hedge against inflation.

If you’re nearing retirement and worried about losing purchasing power in your savings, gold can be an asset to hedge against that.

Gold is also a good way to balance out your portfolio. Many investors are too concentrated on specific assets like stocks or real estate.

Your retirement savings could be affected if there’s a market downturn similar to the 2008 financial crisis.

While gold does have its risks, it allows you to reallocate a portion of your portfolio into an asset class that is typically more resilient during downturns.

A gold IRA comes with certain tax benefits depending on your overall investment strategy. Like other individual retirement accounts, gold IRAs generate tax-deferred growth.

That means if the value of your gold increases while it’s invested in your account, it’s yours to keep tax-free until you begin making withdrawals.

How to Pick a Gold IRA Company

When you are ready to begin investing in gold, there are several criteria you’ll want to consider when picking the best gold IRA company to invest with.

First, evaluate the company’s reputation. Look at how long they’ve been in business and who is leading the company. Read customer reviews to understand the company’s strengths and weaknesses.

Next, assess the fee structure of the company. There will be account fees, custodian fees, and storage fees that vary between gold companies.

Many dealers also charge a markup on actual purchases of physical gold products. Evaluate the costs and compare different companies to find one that works for you.

After initially assessing a company, research its products and account offerings. Some gold companies offer a wider variety of precious metal products than others.

They may also offer different storage options, including maintaining a segregated account. Evaluate the vendors they work with to ensure their gold IRA meets your expectations.

Finally, understand their buyback program and the company’s policies. Some gold companies offer a no-questions-asked buyback program, while others offer it as a courtesy.

If you need to liquidate your gold during an emergency, you want to ensure it will be easy to do so. While you don’t have to sell back to the original dealer you bought your gold from, it can be more cost-effective and convenient to do so.

Conclusion: How to Pick the Best Gold IRA Company 

Choosing who to entrust your retirement savings with is a big decision. While there are many good companies, not all gold dealers have your best interests at heart.

Understanding a company’s mission can shed light on the motivations driving its pricing structure and how they do business with customers.

Goldco is our top pick because it has the right balance of fees, minimum investment requirements, and good customer service.

With almost two decades of experience, Goldco has established itself as a respected company in the industry and a trusted partner for investors looking to diversify with gold.

Before investing in a gold IRA, do your homework. Research the company you’re interested in partnering with and educate yourself on the benefits and drawbacks of gold.

Many companies offer free IRA guides and have staff dedicated to answering questions from investors.

FAQs