Best Gold IRA Companies: Top 9 Precious Metal IRA Accounts for Gold Investing

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Gold has been a popular investment option for centuries. Even before there were organized stock exchanges and gold mining companies, humans have always been fascinated by the shiny metal, using it for everything from trade to ornamentation to coinage.

However, investing in actual gold bullion can be difficult, since it involves storage fees — and moving heavy, physical gold can be a challenge. This is one of the reasons that gold IRAs are popular. Unlike traditional IRAs, gold IRAs are set up in a special way so that account owners can hold on to physical gold bullion, such as bars or ingots. When it comes time to take withdrawals in retirement, a gold IRA owner can withdraw actual gold from the account.

Top 9 Gold IRA Companies

Most advisors recommend an allocation to gold of no greater than 10% of your portfolio. But if gold is in line with your investment objectives and risk tolerance, here are some of the gold IRA companies you should consider using.

1. Noble Gold

Best for: Low storage fees

Noble Gold has a host of online resources that make the company a good option for those looking to open their first gold IRA. Noble Gold offers segregated storage for an annual fee of $80, which isn’t particularly high especially compared with competitors who charge higher fees for commingled storage. The annual storage fee jumps to $150 if you store in Delaware or Texas, however. The company values investor education, so it offers customers a free wealth protection kit to teach them about investing in precious metals for retirement.

Since some gold dealers can be unscrupulous, it’s important to deal with a company that has a reputation for square dealing. Noble Gold has that reputation, and it has the support of its investor community. The company is very popular with its customers, who give it 5 star reviews on both TrustLink and Consumer Affairs. It also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Pros

• Low storage fees
• Relatively low investment minimums

Cons

• Increased storage fees in Delaware and Texas

Good To Know

It’s important to note that investing in gold has its own special considerations, regardless of whether you hold it in an IRA or a regular, taxable investment account. While gold is often cited as a hedge against inflation, for example, that doesn’t always hold true. As gold doesn’t pay dividends or generate earnings, its price is dependent only on the demand of investors, making it a bit speculative.

You should also know that investing in gold bullion is different from investing in gold mining stocks or other gold-related investments, and you should research which is the best option for you.

2. Advantage Gold

Best for: First-time investors

Advantage Gold has a generous buy-back program that guarantees investors will receive at least the spot gold price for their investments at any time, typically within 24 hours. The company also provides extensive educational research and content that they claim is worth thousands. That may or may not be true from the perspective of investors, but nevertheless the company is dedicated to educating its customers, which is particularly helpful for first-time gold investors. 

Advantage Gold has a solid reputation, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trust Pilot and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. It charges a flat fee for commissions, rather than a percentage of the amount invested, so this can be a big cost savings vs. other providers if you are performing large transactions. The company also offers a generous and simple-to-understand buy-back provision. You can sell back any metals you bought from Advantage Gold at any time, and they will pay you the fair market value. At a minimum, this will be the spot price at the time of liquidation, although you’ll usually get a lot more if you’re selling coins instead of just bullion.

Pros

• Educational content available
• Buy-back program

Cons

• Cannot buy online

3. Patriot Gold Group

Best for: Hands-on investors

Consumer Affairs gives Patriot Gold Group a five-star rating, which is its top mark, for its multiple storage options, 24-hour turnaround for new accounts and no fee-for-life program. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the company doesn’t provide information about storage, insurance or other IRA fees online, meaning you’ll have to call the company.

The standout feature at Patriot Gold Group is its “no fee for life” program. Whereas most other gold IRA companies charge annual custodial or insurance fees, Patriot Gold Group does not. This can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of your gold IRA investment. Accounts can be set up in as little as 24 hours, with customer service representatives guiding you through the whole process of opening and account or rolling over an IRA into your gold investment.

Pros

• Excellent ratings
• No fees for life on IRAs that qualify

Cons

• Must call for detailed information

4. Goldco Precious Metals

Best for: Endorsements

Goldco carries an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has collected a host of celebrity endorsements. Chuck Norris, for instance, says “The only trustworthy company I recommend for gold and silver is Goldco,” while Sean Hannity says, “Goldco is the only precious metals company I recommend.” The Trust Pilot ratings on Goldco are solid, averaging 4.7 across 1,353 reviews, with 90% coming in at 5 stars.

Although the firm also carries a host of positive customer reviews, its website is a bit thin when it comes to information about fees, account minimums, storage and services, instead asking you to call the firm directly. But it does provide a free kit on wealth protection, called “The Essential Guide to Financial Security,” and its customer service is top-notch. Live chat is also available on Goldco’s website.

Pros

• Many positive reviews and endorsements
• Rollover assistance available

Cons

• Must call for detailed information

5. Augusta Precious Metals

Best for: Clear fees

Unlike some other firms, Augusta Precious Metals clearly lays out its fee structure on its website. Specifically, you’ll pay $50 to open a gold IRA, along with a $125 annual custodian fee. Your ongoing administration fee is based on the size of your account. Note that depository storage fees for investing in gold cost extra.

Augusta prides itself on educating its consumer base before they even make their first purchases. Before you even open an account, you can request an introductory web conference to learn both about how gold IRAs operate and what features and benefits Augusta Precious Metals offers.

Pros

• Clear fee structure
• Buyback program with competitive prices

Cons

• Must provide contact information without first learning which company you’ve been paired with

6. American Hartford Gold

Best for: Free services

American Hartford Gold has worked hard to build its reputation in the industry. The company receives an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has hundreds of positive reviews from a variety of sources. Television personality Bill O’Reilly is featured prominently on the firm’s homepage, stating “The ONLY company I recommend for your gold & silver needs is American Hartford Gold.”

The company offers a free investor kit, free IRA rollovers, a buyback commitment and up to $15,000 in free silver delivered to your front door on qualifying purchases. It also offers customers a variety of informational resources, including live precious metals charts, the ability to compare gold prices with other markets, and constant contact with account representatives. The company receives a rating of 4.8 from 1,231 Trust Pilot reviews.

Pros

• Buyback program
• Qualifying purchases can receive up to $15,000 in free silver

Cons

• Must call for detailed information

7. Birch Gold

Best for: Investment variety

Birch Gold is one of the few gold IRA groups that offers a high level of transparency and great customer service. Right on the Birch Gold website, you can find out what fees you’ll be charged and that the minimum investment is a relatively small $10,000. To set up your account, you’ll pay a one-time fee of $50, with an additional $30 if you need to use wire transfer services. Annual management fees are $125, which is on top of the $100 fee you’ll pay every year for storage and insurance.

Customer service can be reached via the 800 number listed on the firm’s webpage, where you can also request a free information kit. Birch Gold receives a rating of 4.3 on Trust Pilot, with 89% of reviews being 5-star.

Pros

• Relatively low minimum investment
• Specialists assist with the investing process

Cons

• Must call to begin investing process

8. Oxford Gold Group

Best for: Tailored investment strategies

When you first sign up at Oxford Gold Group, you can either schedule a call with a representative to walk you through the whole process and/or request a free investment guide. The website provides extensive educational materials, from an investing news roundup to educational articles and precious metals charts and prices.

Oxford Gold Group charges annual fees that are a bit higher compared to other gold IRA companies. However, there aren’t any additional fees, and larger accounts can reduce the cost through a rebate program. According to the customer reviews, the average gold IRA client at the group doesn’t pay any fees for the first three years on average.

Pros

• Rebate program can reduce fees
• Excellent reviews
• Educational materials available

Cons

• High annual fees
• Must call to invest

9. Priority Gold

Best for: Free shipping and insurance

Priority Gold has been in business for more than 20 years. It has low minimum investments and the company has a rating of 4.6 on Trust Pilot, although it only has 20 reviews. The Better Business Bureau gives Priority Gold an A+ rating.

Priority Gold has a lot of celebrity endorsements on its side, from Larry Kudlow to Greg Kelly to Lou Dobbs, who says “There’s a reason Priority Gold is ‘America’s Precious Metals Dealer.’ They’re committed to complete customer satisfaction.”

Pros

• Low minimums
• Good ratings
• Free shipping and insurance

Cons

• Doesn’t sell gold bars, only coins
• Fees not listed on website

Final Take

Gold IRAs are convenient accounts for those looking to hold physical gold bullion rather than investing in gold stocks. However, there are some drawbacks. Fees on most gold IRAs are relatively high, and gold bullion investments don’t take full advantage of the tax-deferred benefits of an IRA, since they don’t pay interest or dividends. For this reason, you may want to consider investing in gold outside of an IRA. Talk with your financial professional, a tax advisor or consult with the gold companies themselves to get their opinions on the best way to purchase gold. 

Amber Barkley contributed to the reporting for this article.

Information is accurate as of May 9, 2024.

This article has been updated with additional reporting since its original publication.

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