Jessie Moore has been writing professionally for nearly two decades; for the past seven years, she's focused on writing, ghostwriting, and editing in the finance space. She is a Today Show and Publisher's Weekly-featured author who has written or ghostwritten 10+ books on a wide variety of topics, ranging from day trading to unicorns to plant care.
From an investing standpoint, both precious metals and tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs have their benefits…
IRA gold companies combine the best of both worlds.
But don’t just settle on the first one you find. When it comes to finding the best gold IRA companies, you need to read the fine print…
Ready to explore top-rated gold IRA companies? In this article, I’ll guide you through some of the best gold IRA companies out there, covering fee structures, different metals available, and I’ll even introduce you to the best strategies for storing your bullion.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a much better idea of what gold investment companies are best suited to your needs.
Check out some of the companies featured in these gold IRA reviews:
The 8 Best Gold IRA Companies in 2024:
1. iTrust Capital
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: 1% Transaction Fee for crypto, $50 over spot per ounce for Gold, $2.50 over spot per ounce of Silver
Known for: Offering both precious metals AND crypto
With a user-friendly platform and exceptional customer service, iTrustCapital is a top choice for investors seeking a cost-effective IRA with crypto and precious metals options.
Here are some selling points:
- iTrustCapital acquires its gold and silver products from Kitco, a well-known precious metals dealer.
- The company also claims to use the Tradewinds VaultChain platform to record transactions on the blockchain for added security and transparency.
- iTrustCapital holds clients’ precious metals in bullion form at the Royal Bank of Canada.
iTrustCapital doesn’t charge storage fees, but they still get their cut. You’ll pay $50 over spot per ounce for gold, $2.50 for silver, and a 1% fee on all crypto transactions.
This is a unique fee structure compared to the other top-rated gold IRA companies below, which tend to charge annual storage fees.
What I don’t like about iTrustCapital: Investable metals are limited to gold and silver.
2. Silver Gold Bull
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: 1% of the account’s value per annum
Known for: No account minimums, Platinum and palladium available
Silver Gold Bull offers a user-friendly online platform with a wide range of gold products, making it easy for investors to start a Gold IRA with no minimum investment and competitive pricing.
Here are a few things to know about Silver Gold Bull:
- The company has over 324,000 customers and more than $4 billion in customer transactions, and serves both US and Canadian customers.
- With more than 286,000 five-star reviews online, Silver Gold Bull is one of the largest and most trusted gold companies in North America.
- Silver Gold Bull is known for their commitment to low-cost bullion, and they offer a best-price guarantee on all bullion bars and coins.
With such competitive pricing and no account minimums, Silver Gold Bull is one of the best gold IRA accounts for investors that want a hassle-free experience.
What I don’t like about Silver Gold Bull: Can’t take physical delivery of the IRA metals you purchase.
3. Lear Capital
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: one payment of $280 for the first year and $200 annually thereafter
Known for: Long Track Record, Customer Service
Lear Capital is known for its excellent customer service and has a long-standing reputation for transparency and education.
They offer a range of gold products and other precious metals and coins, making it a trusted and reliable Gold IRA company. If you’re looking to diversify an existing IRA into precious metals, Lear’s staff can also assist with that.
Lear also offers several useful tools for precious metals investors:
- A precious metal analyzer
- A portfolio comparison calculator
- An inflation calculator
- An RMD estimator
- A historical chart center
- And a precious metals encyclopedia.
That said, Lear’s fees may be a bit higher than some of its competitors.
$200-280 per year on top of whatever you’re paying over the spot price for your metals can quickly add up. Investors must decide whether Lear’s long track record and impressive customer service justify this cost.
What I don’t like about Lear Capital: High fees.
4. Augusta Precious Metals
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: one payment of $250 for the first year and $200 annually thereafter
Known for: Quick and Secure Delivery
With their setup fees clocking in just slightly lower than Lear Capital, Augusta Precious Metals is another top pick for investors who want transparent pricing when it comes to gold investment companies.
Here are some of the best things about Augusta Precious Metals:
- Unlike many other companies that claim to have low-cost fee structures, Augusta’s fee structure and pricing scheme are crystal clear. Plus, it has earned top marks from BCA, so you know they’re legit.
- One of the best things about Augusta is their 100% money-back guarantee for new customers. Plus, they offer guaranteed fair pricing along with seven-day price protection.
- When it comes to customer service, Augusta is one of the best gold IRA accounts. Their high consumer ratings speak for themselves, and their onboarding and transaction processes are turnkey, with specialists there to assist customers with all the necessary paperwork.
The only downside is that customers can’t make purchases online … and Augusta does have a limited selection of metals.
If you’re looking to invest in platinum or palladium, you’ll have to go elsewhere. But for those looking for easy IRA rollovers and transparent pricing, Augusta is definitely worth considering.
What I don’t like about Augusta Precious Metals: Investable metals are limited to gold and silver, no online purchasing.
5. Noble Gold
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: No setup fee, $80 annual service fee, and a $150 annual storage fee
Known for: Low minimum investment requirement ($2000), Platinum and palladium available
Noble Gold is one of the newer gold investment companies … but is rapidly becoming a favorite thanks to its low minimum investment requirement and wealth of educational resources. These make it a great choice for newer investors.
Here are some of its key selling points:
- Noble Gold takes a personalized approach to customer service, beginning with an initial consultation to ensure a mutual understanding of each customer’s needs and objectives.
- Each customer is then assigned a trusted advisor to provide guidance and education without using high-pressure sales tactics.
- At Noble Gold, new customers aren’t charged a setup fee, but all accounts are subject to an $80 annual service fee and a $150 annual storage fee. A “no-questions-asked” buy-back service is also available.
- Noble Gold uses Equity International as its custodian and International Depository Services (IDS) for storage. The IDS facility has two locations in the U.S. and one in Canada, and storage comes with a Lloyd’s of London insurance policy.
Noble’s account registration process can’t be completed entirely online, but customers can browse the company’s educational materials before opening an account over the phone.
What I don’t like about Noble Gold: Shorter track record, account must be set up over the phone.
6. Goldco Precious Metals
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: $260 for the first year, then $180 per year
Known for: “White glove” customer service
Goldco is one of the top-rated gold IRA companies for investors seeking exceptional service. The company is renowned for offering a “white-glove service” from account setup through the most recent transaction.
Another thing that distinguishes Goldco from other gold IRA companies is its exceptional buyback program.
They make it easy for investors to not only buy but also sell their gold and silver products, offering competitive prices and a seamless process. So if you’re looking to actively move in and out of your physical gold and silver positions, Goldco could be a great fit.
Gold’s account setup is quick and easy and can be completed primarily online. They also offer IRA and 401(k) rollovers to transfer existing retirement funds.
However, with a preferred minimum initial investment of $25,000, Goldco is best suited for experienced precious metals investors.
What I don’t like about Goldco: High preferred minimum initial investment ($25,000).
7. Advantage Gold
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fees: Annual fee: $95 – $100; Storage fee: $100 – $150
Known for: Well-rated staff and management, Platinum and palladium available
Advantage Gold prides itself on providing personalized support to its customers, and it shows in its top ratings from the Better Business Bureau.
The company has a young but experienced management team and highly trained staff that are always ready to help customers make informed investment decisions.
Here are some of its key selling points:
- One of the standout features of Advantage Gold is its commitment to educating customers. They offer an extensive library of educational resources, which makes it easy for new investors to get started in gold and other precious metals.
- Advantage Gold doesn’t use high-pressure sales tactics, so you can take your time and invest at your own pace.
- Advantage Gold’s fees and account minimums are pretty standard for the industry. They also offer a liberal buy-back program, which means you can sell your gold and other precious metals at the going market rate.
- When it comes to storage, Advantage Gold works with highly reputable vault companies like Brink’s Global Services USA, Inc., and Delaware Depository.
Overall, Advantage Gold is an excellent choice for investors seeking security, transparency, and long-term growth.
What I don’t like about Advantage Gold: Minimum initial investment isn’t clear/disclosed.
8. Patriot Gold Group
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Fees: N/A
Known for: Investor-direct pricing, Platinum and palladium available
Patriot Gold Group describes itself as a dealer-direct company. That means customers avoid the fee typically charged for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion or coin purchases with investor-direct pricing.
Here are a few other things I like about Patriot Gold Group:
- They offer a user-friendly online platform and a team of knowledgeable professionals who are available to guide customers through the process of setting up and managing their Gold IRA.
- A strong focus on education. They provide a wealth of information on their website to help investors make informed decisions and even offer a free investor kit that includes a guide to investing in precious metals.
- Patriot Gold Group prides itself on its long track record of delivering superior customer service, with account managers closely tending to customers’ needs. Account setup can also be completed online or over the phone.
The one downside is you have to read Patriot’s gold IRA reviews to find fee information, as the info isn’t easy to find on their website.
What I don’t like about Patriot Gold Group: Not much information about fees, account minimums, and other details on their website.
What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA, or a Precious Metals IRA, is a retirement account that allows you to invest in physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium instead of traditional paper assets like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
The IRS-approved Gold IRA can help you diversify your retirement portfolio, hedge against inflation, and protect your wealth from economic uncertainties.
The process of setting up a Gold IRA involves choosing a custodian, selecting the precious metals you wish to invest in, and arranging for storage.
What Makes These the Top Gold IRA Companies?
When choosing a Gold IRA company, you want to look for a reputable and trustworthy company that offers competitive pricing, excellent customer service, and a wide selection of investment options.
The best Gold IRA companies on the market are those that have a proven track record of helping customers set up and manage their Gold IRAs while also providing top-notch support and guidance.
Plus, the companies in this article all offer transparent pricing, reasonable fees, and secure storage options.
Final Word: Best Gold IRA
Investing in a Gold IRA can be a wise move for those seeking to diversify their retirement portfolio and protect their wealth. But it’s important to ensure you’re investing with one of the best Gold IRA companies before turning over your hard-earned cash.
These companies stand out for their reputation, customer service, pricing, and investment options.
- Want to invest in gold, silver, and precious metals, all in one account, and avoid annual fees? Go with iTrustCapital.
- Have a larger amount you’re looking to invest, and want the best-of-the-best in customer service? Check out Goldco.
- Newer investor looking for a lower minimum required deposit? Want the ability to also invest in platinum and palladium? Noble Gold is your best bet.
You can’t go wrong with choosing any of the best Gold IRA companies above, as long as you’re clear on your personal needs, financial goals, and risk tolerance.
FAQs:
Are gold IRAs a good idea?
Yes, gold IRAs can be a good idea as they offer diversification and potential protection against economic uncertainties. However, investors must do their own due diligence to decide whether gold IRAs fit into their own financial goals, risk tolerance, and investing timeframe.
How much should you invest in a gold IRA?
There is no set amount to invest in a gold IRA, it depends on individual financial goals and circumstances. Most financial advisors recommend limiting gold to a small portion of a balanced portfolio.
Is it safe to use a gold backed IRA?
Yes, gold backed IRAs can be safe as they are regulated by the IRS and provide physical asset protection. Investors looking for the safest option possible should only invest with the best gold IRA companies.
Is a gold IRA the best investment for a senior citizen?
It depends on the senior citizen's financial goals and circumstances, but a gold IRA can be a good option for diversification and potential protection against economic uncertainties.
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