Disclaimer: Many or all of the companies listed here may provide compensation to us. This is how we maintain our free service for consumers. Compensation, along with hours of in-depth editorial research, determines where & how companies appear below.
Gold has historically shown to be stable and steady in its growth, giving it a safe and trustworthy hedge against inflation compared to the more unpredictable stock market, which can negatively affect a traditional IRA portfolio due to market volatility and inflation.
As a result, many people are looking for the best gold investment firms to put their money into. Gold is the finest way to diversify your investments and protect your savings from economic downturns. There are a lot of reliable businesses that can assist you in achieving this goal.
Investors wishing to spread the risk of retirement savings might take advantage of gold IRAs. Gold IRAs allow investors to store the precious metal, which is seen as a hedge against inflation and stock market volatility and other assets. They provide the same tax advantages as traditional IRAs when purchasing stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.
Investments, like many things, carry risk; however, the degree of risk varies from portfolio to portfolio. Whenever people discuss the best way to save money for the future, the topic of gold inevitably comes up and with good reason.
The availability of so many solid options makes it challenging to single out and recommend the best precious metals IRA providers. The best gold IRA providers present their clients with impartial learning resources, market data and support services.
This analysis of top gold IRA providers is meant to save you time and effort. Reviews, ratings, prices, customer service, years in business and more were considered before making this final choice.
Investing in one of these companies is a great way for novice and seasoned traders to spread their risk. If you're unfamiliar with this concept, it's essential to get a firm grasp on what a gold IRA company is before we get into a list of the best options.
What Is a Gold IRA Company?
A gold IRA firm is a business that focuses on setting up and managing IRAs for their customers that are intended to be used to store gold or other precious metals. Contributions to a gold IRA are deducted from taxable income, while investment gains grow free of taxation.
The income and contribution caps are the same as that of traditional IRAs. However, unlike a conventional IRA, a gold IRA is designed exclusively for storing gold or other permitted metals rather than paper assets like bonds, equities, cash equivalents, funds and ETFs.
Establishing and funding a gold IRA is the primary responsibility of a gold IRA company. The investor still needs to locate a trusted storage facility for their gold.
Now that you understand what a gold IRA provider is, we'll share the top gold IRA providers with you.
The Best Gold IRA Companies
Investors often hold silver, platinum, gold and palladium to protect their wealth against inflation and stock market fluctuations. Gold IRAs allow you to store physical gold in a tax-deferred retirement account, which is especially attractive during geopolitical turmoil.
Here are the top gold IRA providers.
#1. Goldco
Goldco is ranked #1 on our top 5 gold IRA companies list. Goldco is a Los Angeles-based privately held firm that has assisted clients with retirement savings security for over a decade. A Goldco Expert can guide you through buying gold and silver or diversifying your retirement assets into a Precious Metals IRA.
Goldco is the go-to precious metals provider because of the company's long history of superior customer service, high ethical standards and an extensive collection of relevant educational materials.
If you have a tax-deferred retirement account such as an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a Goldco Expert can help you set up a precious metals IRA to safeguard your savings.
Customers can buy gold and silver from Goldco directly. A Goldco Specialist can advise you on diversifying your savings by purchasing precious metals. A Goldco expert can assist you with every step of the process, whether you're looking to buy gold and silver directly or roll over retirement savings into a Precious Metals IRA.
Several business periodicals have recognized Goldco's growth and achievement by bestowing upon it awards and honors. Goldco has been on Inc. 5000's 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list for six years.
The American Business Awards have named it "Company of the Year" for two years. The Los Angeles Business Journal has recognized Goldco as one of the city's 25 fastest-growing private entities.
The Better Business Bureau has awarded Goldco an A+ rating, while the Business Consumer Alliance has given them their highest possible grade of Triple-A. As a result of their excellent support services, reliability and moral company policies, they have earned the trust of a large and appreciative clientele.
Product Offerings
Goldco's bullion coins are the most reliable in the industry. They have coins from over fifteen different national mints worldwide in stock. All of these investments qualify for a traditional or Roth IRA.
Goldco facilitates the necessary paperwork for the custodial management of individual retirement accounts. Customers also receive extensive help converting an existing retirement account into a precious metals IRA.
The Gold IRA allows you to invest in various gold coins—Goldco partners with trusted mints to obtain gold coins that meet IRA standards.
Fees
There needs to be a mention of the minimum order size on the official Goldco website. However, you'll receive an information kit with even more specifics when you sign up. Instead of basing its fees on a client's total net worth, this firm charges a single annual rate. Even though Goldco's fees aren't listed anywhere, the company regularly runs campaigns that reimburse some or all of those costs.
Costs associated with gold custody and storage vary widely depending on who you choose to do the job (required by the IRS). Monthly storage costs may range from $10 to $60 or 0.35 percent to 1 percent of total assets annually. You can get a detailed breakdown of the prices by contacting their customer care.
Goldco, a recognized precious metals dealer, offers a variety of products to supplement your retirement savings plan. This organization is widely regarded as a pioneer in precious metals. That's why putting your money in Goldco is a no-brainer if you're trying to diversify.
Pros
Cons
Augusta Precious Metals has built a solid reputation as a trusted gold IRA provider thanks to its extensive industry knowledge and focus on clients' needs. It is ranked #2 among the top 5 gold IRA companies.
Several professionals rank Augusta Precious Metals as a top contender for gold and silver IRA providers. They provide excellent service to their customers and have an excellent reputation.
The silver and gold pension investments offered by Augusta Precious Metals are widely regarded as the best in the industry. Allowing them to spread their investments over several areas aids clients in securing their wealth.
Having an account with Augusta means you'll get top-notch service if you remain a customer. Their seasoned staff is there to answer your questions and provide additional information on your retirement accounts if you have any concerns or need clarification on a specific matter.
In addition to being honest, Augusta Precious Metals guarantees your satisfaction with their services or your money back. Gold IRA investors and first-time gold IRA owners can practice buying gold without taking on too much risk, thanks to price protection policies.
Services Offered
Augusta provides several precious metals IRA choices for clients looking to hedge against inflation or diversify their holdings. Before opening an account with Augusta, buyers must have at least $50,000 in a qualified retirement plan (such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA).
Since a gold IRA differs from a traditional IRA, Augusta Precious Metals developed a simple method of onboarding customers to facilitate the purchase of precious metals.
Storage
Augusta has searched for the greatest U.S.-secured private depository and found it after extensive research on behalf of its clients. The Delaware Depository is a recognized institution with which this firm works. The company's preferred storage facility is in Delaware, so unless you have a specific preference, that's the one they'll suggest.
In addition to multiple depositories in Delaware, you can find more possibilities in the states like California, North Dakota, Idaho, Ontario, Nevada, Massachusetts, Ohio, Utah and New York.
Your precious metals are kept in a private, non-bank vault that meets or exceeds all federal security standards. They are far from the facility's creditors and financial and political centers but are legally documented.
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
If you need help opening a self-directed IRA or having silver and gold sent to a depository, go no further than Augusta Precious Metals, a well-regarded, trustworthy firm. Those with over $100,000 in savings can watch a free webinar designed specifically for them.
Augusta gives back to the community by donating a portion of their profits to the K9s for Warriors organization. The gold and silver from Augusta Precious Metals would be a welcome addition to any portfolio.
American Hartford Gold advertises attractive benefits and services like many other precious metals IRA providers. It is ranked #3 on our top 5 gold IRA companies list. However, the company's service quality to its clients sets it apart.
Staff at American Hartford Gold are noted for their professionalism and attentiveness, according to customer reviews. When a customer has a problem, they are fast to respond to their concerns and their answers are universally praised.
A plus is that the company's hotline is practically always open. This should guarantee that all customers can conduct business with American Hartford Gold, wherever they may be or when they call.
Products and Services
American Hartford Gold is a metals and storage IRA provider. Its competitive advantage is its accessibility to financial advisors. It's possible to put money into gold and silver through a traditional IRA, but you can also buy coins and bars.
The American Eagle, Canada Buffalo, Australian Wildlife and South African Krugerrand are some gold and silver coins available from American Hartford Gold. A 1-ounce gold bar and a gold or silver Valcambi CombiBar are also available. There is a smaller variety of platinum alternatives available.
Each coin or bar has a data page to read before buying. This includes information like who made it, how much gold or silver it contains, how pure it is, how thick it is and how wide it is. It would also be helpful if the coin were labeled to indicate whether or not it could be placed in an individual retirement account.
American Hartford Gold's Buyback Promise stands for itself as a unique feature. You are not obligated to return metals to them for purchase. You're free to pick any precious metal band out there. They make things so easy that alternatives seem less appealing. There are only three simple steps to this liquidation and no additional costs are incurred.
You may discuss your investments in real-time with top industry professionals. A gold IRA can be opened with their assistance and no additional costs are involved.
Storage
You should put as much thought into picking a secure location to keep your precious metals as you would into buying them. The Brinks Global Services, Delaware Depository Service Company (DDSC) and International Depository Services (IDS) all partner with American Harford Gold to ensure the safety of your physical holdings.
The depositories are reputable institutions that conduct business from secure locations and have multibillion-dollar insurance policies to protect client funds. They have many warehouses across the U.S., so transporting your metals to the depository or back to you is quick and easy.
Fees
When you first open an account with American Hartford Gold, you will not be charged a one-time fee. This means you can open an account without worrying about additional costs. There is also no minimum contribution amount when you first open an account.
This means you can start investing in gold with a small amount without worrying about meeting a specific minimum contribution requirement.
American Hartford Gold also does not charge for the shipping of precious metals. You can buy gold or other metals from them and deliver them to your home or office without additional cost.
They also do not charge any extra liquidation fees if you decide to sell back any of the metals you purchased from them. This makes buying and selling gold with American Hartford Gold easy and cost-effective.
Pros
Cons
#4. Birch Gold Group
Customers are extremely important to Birch Gold Group and the company strives to equip them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. This company is ranked #4 on our list of the top 5 gold IRA companies.
They are situated in Burbank, California, across the street from Warner Bros. Studios and they take great pride in serving customers from all 50 states. Major media channels frequently showcase Birch Gold.
Birch Gold Group is one of the largest U.S. distributors of actual precious metals, serving over 14,000 customers since 2003. Gold, silver, platinum and palladium are part of their dynamic team's repertoire, including former wealth managers, financial consultants and commodity dealers.
For investments as crucial as retirement and other life savings, you should only trust the financial services firms you feel completely comfortable with. The Birch Gold Group is an industry leader in administrating gold-based retirement portfolios.
Birch Gold Group is pleased to have earned a perfect score of five stars from several review sites, including Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau. Experts from companies like Citigroup, Dun & Bradstreet and IBM are part of Birch's committed team of specialists. Together, this knowledge and the customer service procedure will make setting up an IRA or making a transaction a breeze.
Products and Services
Birch Gold Group specializes in providing products and services related to physical gold and silver. Their products and services are focused on providing investors with secure and affordable ways to own and store physical gold and silver.
Birch Gold Group offers a wide range of gold and silver products. These include coins, bars and rounds. Coins are available in sizes ranging from 1/10th ounce to 1 ounce and bars and rounds are available in sizes ranging from 1 gram to 1 kilogram.
Birch Gold Group offers various options for storing gold and silver. They have various storage options at their secure locations, including home storage, bank deposit boxes and offsite vault storage. They also have an online storage system, allowing customers to securely store their gold and silver in their accounts.
Birch Gold Group also provides services related to gold and silver investing. They offer advice on the types of gold and silver products most suitable for each investor and assistance with purchasing and selling gold and silver. They also provide a wide range of financial planning and retirement services.
Finally, Birch Gold Group also provides gold and silver IRA accounts. These accounts are designed to help investors diversify their retirement portfolios by allocating a portion of their savings into gold and silver. Birch Gold Group assists with setting up and managing these accounts and rolling over existing retirement accounts into gold and silver IRAs.
Benefits of Working
It's important to note that Birch Gold Group is simply one of several trustworthy precious metals merchants. Therefore, what makes this firm special? Consider some advantages of working with this firm to acquire precious metals.
Positive Reviews
Customer feedback for Birch Gold Group is overwhelmingly favorable. The Better Business Bureau has awarded this organization an A+ rating and its average customer rating is 4.84 stars out of 5. The corporation also takes an active role in addressing any concerns voiced by BBB users.
In addition, Birch Gold Group has a stellar Google Review score of 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 700 individual reviews. According to these customer testimonials, most Birch Gold customers are pleased with their decision to open an IRA with gold or silver.
Low Fees
When you buy precious metals from an internet dealer, they will always charge you a fee. While precious metal investments from other dealers might be somewhat pricey, Birch Gold Group's charges are typically far lower.
Additionally, there are circumstances where Birch Gold Group will not charge a fee. One example is that there are no charges for the first year on IRA rollovers of more than $50,000.
Educational Resources
Birch Gold Group offers various educational resources to help customers make informed investment decisions. These resources include:
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to diversify your funds and become the proud owner of gold, Birch Gold is one of the best precious metals IRA firms in the world to work with. It has a stellar reputation thanks to its consistent success.
The numerous awards and high ratings they've received from impartial company review groups attest to the stellar reputation they've built for themselves over the past nearly two decades. Hence, put Birch on your list if you want gold.
#5. Noble Gold
It's important to note that this company is ranked #5 on our list of the top 5 gold IRA companies. The Pasadena, California-based Noble Gold is a gold investment and IRA provider. Charles Thorngren and Collin Plume, the company's founders, envision eliminating the complexity and danger of trading in the precious metals market.
Having spent over 20 years in the gold market, the company's founders are well-equipped to advise clients on how to get the most out of their money.
Noble Gold, established in 2016 by a team of seasoned professionals, helps customers hedge against market volatility by purchasing actual gold and silver. Gold and silver IRAs are offered and the company trades in precious metals.
Noble gold provides a spectrum of services for acquiring, disposing and storing precious metals. Clients can utilize their vetted dealer network, safe storage facilities and user-friendly trading platform. Experts on staff can provide clients with one-on-one assistance and advice on allocating their resources best.
Noble Gold also offers educational materials to further aid customers in pursuing market knowledge and prudent investing choices. Moreover, the firm has created in-house resources and tools to help customers in their financial dealings. The staff at Noble Gold is dedicated to assisting their customers in achieving their financial objectives.
Product and Services Offerings
Gold, platinum, silver and palladium are some precious metals in which Noble Gold Investments deals, but their gold IRA is by far their most sought-after offering. Unlike traditional IRAs, which are only supported by paper assets, gold IRAs have a dealer store of real gold for the account holder.
Because paper assets might lose value due to economic crises and other circumstances, gold IRAs are superior to traditional IRAs. When economic conditions deteriorate, the value of gold tends to rise, making it a safer investment.
In contrast to many other gold IRA brokers, Noble Gold keeps physical gold in stock so that its investors can easily access and inspect their investments whenever they wish. Whether you're looking to invest cash or transfer an existing retirement account, Noble Gold makes it easy to open a gold IRA.
Rollovers are possible from many different types of retirement accounts, including SIMPLE IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, TSPs and 457(b) plans.
Signing up for and purchasing gold for your IRA is easy with Noble Gold's help. Your investment in gold will be tax-efficient and the company will help you take advantage of any available deductions. Noble Gold Investments offers various services, including gold IRAs, silver IRAs, Bitcoin and rare precious metal coins.
Fees
A yearly subscription to Noble Gold costs $80. The charge remains unchanged regardless of how much gold you put into your IRA. Gold IRA storage costs in Texas or Delaware are $150 per year. The one flat rate covers all costs of keeping your gold safe, segregated storage, insurance and a real-time online account to monitor your holdings.
Pros
Cons
What to Consider While Choosing a Gold IRA Provider
While comparing gold IRA companies, you'll want to consider the many factors.
Experience in Precious Metals Investments
This is the most crucial consideration when deciding which gold IRA providers to use and which to avoid. The company should be well-versed in gold investing and have a history of assisting consumers of varying financial means.
Ask as many questions as you can think of while chatting with a company such as what services they provide, their areas of expertise, the length of time they've been in business and how they can help you. If the company's replies are evasive and show they have a shallow understanding of the gold investment market, you should go elsewhere.
Rating
You should research gold IRA providers' BBB ratings like any other company. An A+ grade indicates a reliable and trustworthy company with a history free of major customer complaints.
Investment Options
Having a variety of gold coins, silver bars and other precious metal investments is frequently a good indicator of a company's depth of experience and expertise in the field. If gold-backed IRAs are all that piques your attention, you should still work with experts who can steer you toward the most suitable investments.
Sales Tactics
Avoid working with any firm that prioritizes pressure over research and thought. Taking your time and not feeling rushed into making a hasty decision while investing money is essential. The best precious metals dealer is the one who spends time with you to explain everything, makes sure you grasp your alternatives entirely and develops a plan tailored to your specific needs.
Why Invest in Gold?
A Spanish or Italian proverb advises, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." In any situation, this adage means you shouldn't put your entire future on the shoulders of a single strategy or idea. This is especially true when planning for one's retirement.
Diversifying Your Investment Portfolio
In prior economic downturns, this diversification helped mitigate the effects. Despite the dire circumstances, gold and silver demonstrated their resilience during the 2008-2012 recession when their value rose by about 450%.
In addition, a recent scientific study demonstrated that diversification in precious metals helped investors weather the economic instability in 2020's early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Value Retention
Despite widespread price increases, gold, silver and other precious metals have historically maintained their purchasing power. Having precious metals as part of your retirement plan can give you peace of mind that you won't have to keep working past the time you originally planned to stop.
Many Americans saw as much as 60% of their retirement savings wiped out during the Great Recession of 2007-2009, when the U.S. stock market experienced one of its most significant falls ever. In contrast to the prolonged decline of the S&P 500, the price of gold increased, rewarding those who had taken the precaution of spreading their investments across many asset classes.
In a precious metals IRA, you are not limited to just gold; in fact, holding a variety of precious metals can help your portfolio's value remain stable over time.
Safe Haven
Putting money into metals is an excellent way to diversify your holdings. These supplementary "baskets" of investments help spread risk and protect against the vagaries of the stock market, currency exchange rates and the overall economy.
Gold is a great way to diversify your portfolio beyond stocks, bonds and cash assets like the U.S. dollar. When the dollar falters, gold's value tends to hold steady.
Gold's performance has consistently and negatively connected with equities, bonds and cash. Gold's value typically rises in response to a decline in the dollar's or a bond's value. Investing some of one's savings in precious metals like gold is one way to spread risk and increase the portfolio's long-term return.
Gold adds a layer of variety and security to your portfolio because it is an actual thing of worth instead of a paper promise of value. A loss of confidence in the stock market or the dollar might render your paper currency worthless. Because of their physical value and long-standing inherent worth, precious metals are virtually assured of retaining their value over time.
What Percentage of Your IRA Should Be in Gold and Silver?
The exact percentage of your IRA that should be in gold and silver depends on your individual goals and risk tolerance. Generally speaking, experts recommend allocating anywhere from 5-20% of your IRA into gold and silver investments.
If you are a more conservative investor, 5-10% of your IRA in gold and silver may be a good starting point. This will provide some exposure to the precious metals market without taking on too much additional risk.
If you are more of an aggressive investor and are willing to take on higher levels of risk, investing up to 20% of your IRA in gold and silver can help to diversify your portfolio and increase potential returns.
The key to investing in gold and silver is to create a balanced portfolio that works for you. When determining the optimal percentage of your IRA invested in gold and silver, you should consider your financial goals, risk tolerance and investment time horizon.
How Do You Withdraw From Your Gold IRA?
You can take money out of your IRA for one of two reasons. The first choice is "In-Kind," in which actual precious metals are shipped directly to your home. You can sell your gold however you like; however, delivery costs may apply.
The second choice involves the depositary making a purchase. The basic idea is that the bank or other institution holding your assets will pay you for the gold you've asked to withdraw. The cost will be set at a level corresponding to the current market pricing as closely as possible.
Remember that you will owe taxes on any money you take from your IRA. There are tax consequences if you don't sell within the allotted time frame of two months. Because of this, you should talk to a financial counselor or lawyer before making any withdrawals.
Bottom Line
Due to the time and effort required and the potential cost of maintaining an IRA, you've decided to only invest in gold through the top IRA providers. In that order, recommended options are Goldco, Augusta Precious Metals, American Hartford Gold, Birch Gold Group and Noble Gold.
There's a straightforward explanation for this: virtually all businesses provide the same collection of perks, advantages, services and features. Your best bet is to choose a company that can improve the current situation by providing comprehensive support.
The best gold IRA businesses on our list offer white-glove services to help you reach your financial objectives without breaking the bank. Such businesses are widely regarded as the top gold IRA providers for first-time investors and applicants due to their high quality of service.