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Minimum for IRA transfers:
$0
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Minimum for IRA transfers:
$10,000
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Promotion:
Up to $10,000 or more in free silver
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Promotion:
Receive up to $10,000 in free silver
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Looking to diversify your portfolio with gold? Goldco and American Hartford Gold offer gold IRAs.
This Goldco vs. American Hartford Gold comparison covers fees, product offerings, storage security, and customer service to help you decide.
Goldco vs. American Hartford Gold: At a Glance
| Criteria | Goldco | American Hartford Gold | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | Goldco |
| Product Offerings | 9 | 9 | Tie |
| Pricing & Fees | 8 | 8 | Goldco |
| Guarantees | 9.5 | 9 | Goldco |
| Storage & Security | 10 | 8 | Goldco |
| Account Setup & Maintenance | 9 | 9 | Tie |
| Reputation & Reviews | 10 | 9 | Goldco |
| Customer Experience | 9.5 | 9.5 | Tie |
| Resources & Tools | 9 | 9 | Tie |
| Flexibility & Investment Options | 8 | 8.5 | Tie |
| Ease of Rollover & Transfer Process | 9 | 9.5 | American Hartford Gold |
Goldco
Based in California, Goldco is a highly-regarded precious metals dealer specializing in gold IRAs. The company’s mission is to help Americans achieve financial security by providing access to precious metals.
Since its founding in 2011, Goldco has facilitated over $2 billion in gold and silver transactions since its inception.
The company offers gold IRAs with no purchase minimums and has excellent customer service ratings on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
Pros & Cons
A+ BBB rating
Over 6,000+ 5 star reviews
Highest buy back guarantee
Excellent customer service
Only can invest within U.S.
No online purchase available
Best For
Goldco is ideal for investors who want to add precious metals to their retirement savings to hedge against inflation and diversify their portfolio.
Investors can make a direct purchase from Goldco or open an IRA.
American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold was established in 2015 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. The company helps investors diversify and protect their wealth through precious metals.
Their mission is to provide secure and transparent access to precious metals for retirement accounts.
Investors can purchase precious metals directly from American Hartford Gold or set up a precious metals IRA. New IRAs can be opened with a $10,000 investment.
American Hartford Gold is known for its strong customer service reputation and its price match guarantee.
Pros & Cons
A+ BBB rating
Price match guarantee
Buy back commitment
1,000’s 5-star reviews
No online purchases
Limited to U.S. investors
Best For
American Hartford Gold is ideal for investors who will need support opening or managing their gold IRA.
American Hartford Gold is proud to help individuals and families protect their wealth by diversifying with precious metals.
Product Offerings
Goldco and American Hartford Gold offer gold and silver coins and bars that can be included in a gold IRA or purchased directly.
Both companies also offer products in platinum and palladium, however, American Hartford Gold does not list any products on their website.
Goldco and American Hartford Gold both offer:
- Gold and silver American Eagle coins
- Gold and silver Canadian Maple leaf coins
- Gold and silver American Buffalo coins
American Hartford Gold offers more products, including the gold and silver South African Krugerrand coin.
Pricing and availability are not available on American Hartford Gold’s website. You’ll need to call for availability and pricing.
Goldco’s inventory availability is not listed online. The company has a smaller selection and no numismatic coins. You will need to call a representative to see what’s available.
Both Goldco and American Hartford Gold offer high-purity products. Bars and coins must meet IRS purity standards of 99.5% for gold and 99.9% for silver.
✅ Winner: Tie
Pricing & Fees
Goldco and American Hartford Gold offer similar pricing structures for their gold IRAs but differ in transparency and fees.
| Fee | Goldco | American Hartford Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | $0 | $10,000 |
| Setup Fee | $50 | $50 |
| Annual Maintenance Fee | $125 | $180 |
| Storage Fees | $100 non-segregated $150 segregated | Starts at $100 |
| Transaction Fees | No commission | No commission |
| Other | $30 wire fee | $30 wire fee |
Goldco has a no purchase minimum, while American Hartford Gold has a recommended minimum of $10,000, making it more accessible.
Goldco also has lower maintenance fees, reducing annual costs.
Both companies lack pricing transparency. You will need to call and speak to a representative for prices and availability.
✅ Winner: Goldco
Guarantees
Goldco and American Hartford Gold provide strong guarantees. Goldco allows you to sell back your gold at competitive rates, offering one of the best guarantees in the industry.
American Hartford Gold offers a similar buyback with no hidden fees.
American Hartford Gold offers a price match guarantee and price protection to help you get the most competitive rate on your purchases.
Goldco doesn’t offer a similar price guarantee, but is committed to offering their products at a fair price.
Both companies offer full insurance during transit and at partner depositories that store investor’s gold.
✅ Winner: Goldco
Storage & Security
Goldco and American Hartford Gold prioritize secure storage solutions to meet IRS requirements. Both companies offered segregated and non-segregated storage at IRS-compliant depositories.
Each company works with partner depositories that adhere to strict security measures. This includes 24/7 surveillance, armed security, and routine audits.
Goldco partners with Delaware Depository while American Hartford Gold partners with Brink’s Global Services and Delaware Depository Service.
American Hartford Gold customers can store their precious metals in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, or Wilmington, Delaware.
Both companies are fully insured to protect investors from damage or theft. At any time, investors can request home delivery to take possession of their gold.
✅ Winner: Goldco
Account Setup & Maintenance
Both Goldco and American Hartford Gold make the process of setting up an IRA as easy as possible. You can apply online or work with a dedicated account specialist by phone.
You’ll need to complete the application materials and provide a government-issued ID to confirm your identity to open an account.
American Hartford Gold account setup is usually completed within two weeks. New accounts at Goldco can take slightly longer to open, around two to three weeks.
Both companies allow you to rollover an existing retirement savings account into a gold IRA. You can make rollover from:
Goldco and American Hartford Gold each offer user-friendly online portals to give you quick and easy access to your portfolio.
There you can track your investments and manage transactions.
✅ Winner: Tie
Reputation & Reviews
Goldco and American Hartford Gold have strong reputations for providing excellent customer service. They each have an A+ rating from the BBB and thousands of 5-star reviews.
Goldco is regarded for its professional staff and transparency. American Hartford Gold is known for providing excellent assistance during the setup process and helping investors manage their accounts.
Both companies have a good reputation within the industry. American Hartford Gold has received endorsements from Rudy Guiliani and been listed by Inc Magazine as a fast growing company while Goldco has been endorsed by Chuck Norris, Sean Hannity, and Ben Stein.
Goldco has faced complaints about shipping delays and sales pressure, while American Hartford Gold customers cite pricing transparency issues. Both companies work expediently to resolve complaints.
Both companies are active on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Goldco maintains an account on Instagram while American Hartford Gold provides informational content to investors on LinkedIn.
✅ Winner: Goldco
Customer Experience
Goldco offers phone, email, and live chat support, while American Hartford Gold provides phone and email support only
American Hartford Gold provides the most flexible customer service hours. Support is available Monday through Friday 6 am to 6 pm PST as well as Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm.
Goldco customer support is available Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm PST.
Both companies provide quick response times and support staff are knowledgeable and professional when answering questions. Each company offers one-on-one consultations to offer individual advice.
✅ Winner: Tie
Resources & Tools
Goldco and American Hartford Gold are committed to educating investors on how to add precious metals to their investment strategy.
Goldco offers a comprehensive educational library with articles, guides, and ebooks covering gold investing and retirement planning. American Hartford Gold provides the same resources as well as a gold IRA FAQ page.
Each company offers live webinars and workshops, and posts educational videos to YouTube.
Price tracking and analytical tools are available through your account portal. American Hartford Gold has a section of its website dedicated to monitoring the news and providing price updates.
Goldco only offers news and market insights.
✅ Winner: Tie
Flexibility & Investment Options
Both companies offer a wide range of investments. You can purchase gold, silver, platinum, and palladium for inclusion in an IRA or to be sent directly to your home.
Investors are limited by the inventory each company has available. Neither company publishes product availability on their website so you’ll need to call a representative to get the most up-to-date information.
For the most flexibility, investors can open up a self-directed IRA with a partner custodian.
This allows you to not only invest in gold or silver, but to add other alternative investments to your portfolio including private equity deals, real estate, or crypto.
Investors can customize their accounts to hold precious metals that align with their financial goals.
Both companies offer competitive buyback programs, making it possible to liquidate gold if you need to.
✅ Winner: Tie
Ease of Rollover & Transfer Process
Rolling over an existing retirement account into a gold IRA with either Goldco or American Hartford Gold is a straightforward process.
Both companies offer dedicated support specialists to help with the process. They will walk you through the process step-by-step to make sure you complete the transfer in compliance with IRS regulations.
To complete a rollover, fill out an application with either company and verify your identity with a government ID and Social Security Number.
American Hartford Gold processes rollovers slightly faster than Goldco. Expect a rollover to take one to two weeks with American Hartford Gold and up to three weeks with Goldco.
Customers report a good experience rolling over their retirement savings with each company. Both provide knowledgeable staff who can comfortably guide investors through the process.
✅ Winner: American Hartford Gold
Standout Features for Goldco
Buyback program
Goldco offers an industry-leading buyback program with competitive pricing. This gives investors the option to convert their savings into cash when they need it.
Investor education
Goldco provides educational resources, including guides, webinars, and reports, to help investors make well-informed decisions.
Dedicated account specialists
Every Goldco customer is assigned a dedicated account specialist who offers personalized investment guidance.
Specialists make sure you fully understand the process of rolling over and the requirements of maintaining a gold IRA.
Standout Features for American Hartford Gold
Price match guarantee
American Hartford Gold provides a price match guarantee. This makes sure you receive the best price possible.
Faster rollovers
Compared to competitors, American Hartford Gold processes rollovers in as little as 1 to 2 weeks, making it one of the fastest in the industry.
No minimums
American Hartford Gold has no minimum investment requirement. This makes precious metals investing more accessible to all types of investors.
American Hartford Gold vs. Goldco: My Verdict
Goldco and American Hartford Gold are industry leaders, but Goldco stands out as the clear winner.
Goldco is ideal for investors who are looking to diversify with gold and who have some understanding of how to do so. American Hartford Gold is best for beginners who want personal support to get started.
American Hartford Gold offers competitive pricing, a variety of products to choose from, and accessible customer support. They offer competitive prices, a good buyback program, and live price updates.
