Key Takeaways
- Allegiance Gold is the best overall gold IRA company, with high customer satisfaction ratings, transparent pricing, simplified ordering and a vast library of education resources.
- Methodology: We analyzed over a dozen gold IRA companies and compared them with their competitors to highlight the best options for various precious metals investment needs.
- The best gold IRA companies operating in this space facilitate insurance and secure storage, as required by the IRS, and ensure that the precious metals held in these accounts meet minimum purity standards.
- Reputable gold IRA companies also offer educational resources, responsive customer service, competitive pricing and easy account setup.
How we chose our top picks
We analyzed over a dozen gold individual retirement account (IRA) companies and compared them with their competitors to highlight the best options for various precious metals investment needs. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned investor, our guide to the best gold IRA companies can help you make the right decision.
For our complete methodology, click here.
Our top picks for best gold IRA companies for May 2026
- Allegiance Gold: Best Overall
- Augusta Precious Metals: Best for Educational Resources
- Advantage Gold: Best for Customer Satisfaction
- American Hartford Gold: Best for Low Fees
- JM Bullion: Best for Transparent Pricing
- APMEX: Best for Customer Support and Accessibility
- Noble Gold Investments: Best for Diverse Storage Options
- Orion Metal Exchange: Best for Small-Balance Investors
Best gold IRA company reviews
Pros
- Top ratings from the BBB, BCA and Trustpilot
- Transparent pricing on its website
- Online learning center provides extensive educational resources
Cons
- Fees are not listed on its website
Why we chose it: Allegiance Gold scores the highest overall of all the gold IRA companies Money reviewed.
While many companies force customers to call for pricing and orders, Allegiance Gold is very transparent with its pricing. Costs for all products are listed on its website, and customers can order through an online cart, simplifying the process. The company also provides users with extensive educational resources through its online learning center.
Allegiance Gold’s fees are not listed on its website, and there is a $10,000 minimum investment requirement. The gold IRA provider holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a AAA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA).
Pros
- Expansive offering of informative articles, news, blogs and videos for educational purposes
- Supports investing diversity
- Potential for fee waivers of up to 10 years
Cons
- High minimum purchase order of $50,000
- Hard to find fee information online
- Pricing for gold and silver products isn’t transparent
Why we chose it: Founded in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals offers precious metals investment options and a wealth of free educational resources on gold, silver and precious metal investing.
Augusta Precious Metals uses the Delaware Depository — a popular choice among gold IRA providers — to hold customer assets, including gold coins and bars. But what stands out about the company is its array of educational resources for investors looking to learn more about investing in precious metals. Augusta Precious Metals features an online library that includes news, articles, blogs and a video series.
Such content from Augusta Precious Metals highlights the company’s transparency in an industry where many companies use scare tactics or play on investors’ fear of a (highly unlikely) meltdown of the entire financial system and a wholesale collapse of U.S. currency.
The gold IRA provider holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a AAA rating with the BCA.
Pros
- Top ratings from the BBB, BCA and TrustPilot
- Transparent pricing on its website
- Multiple options for custodian and depository
- $5,000 minimum investment requirement is lower than most competitors
Cons
- Limited account fee information provided online
- No live chat option
Why we chose it: Founded in 2014, Advantage Gold boasts top-notch reviews, including nearly 1,900 reviews on TrustPilot alone. At 97%, almost all of them are five-star ratings.
Advantage sells gold, silver, platinum and palladium. It uses STRATA Trust Company and Equity Trust Company as gold IRA account custodians, and Brink’s Depository and Delaware Depository vaults. The company’s website offers transparent pricing, a diverse range of product offerings, learning resources and video content.
The company’s $5,000 minimum investment requirement is lower than many of its competitors. The gold IRA provider holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a AAA rating with the BCA.
Pros
- Company charges no setup fee or transfer fee
- Relatively low minimum order threshold
- Frequent promotions to waive storage fees for two to three years
- Multiple choices for custodian, storage providers
Cons
- Need to provide email address to access full customer education resources
Why we chose it: American Hartford Gold doesn’t charge its gold IRA customers outlandish fees compared to some other gold IRA providers.
Founded in 2015, American Hartford charges no setup or transfer fees and runs frequent promotions that waive storage fees for two or three years. Customers do have to pay a $50 fee for the account custodian to establish their precious metal IRAs. The company charges an annual IRA fee of $75 for accounts valued at $100,000 or less and $125 for accounts of $100,001 or more. In addition to its annual fee, the company charges a $100 annual storage fee in most cases.
American Hartford works primarily with custodian Equity Trust Company, and when you set up your account, you have the choice to keep your precious metals in either segregated or unsegregated storage. There is a $10,000 minimum order requirement for its gold IRAs. American Hartford Gold holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a AAA rating with the BCA.
Pros
- Transparent pricing for all products and payment methods
- Volume and military discounts
- No minimum purchase requirement
Cons
- $1,000 minimum buyback policy
- Price may be higher for some payment methods
Why we chose it: JM Bullion offers an array of precious metal options with each product page containing detailed information about the item, including its history, weight, condition and more.
The price you pay for any given item will vary depending on your chosen payment method. The different costs are outlined on the product page before you add the item to your cart. (You’ll pay the least per item if you purchase via eCheck, paper check or bank wire transfer.) JM Bullion also accepts debit cards, Bitcoin (or other cryptocurrency) and PayPal, but you’ll pay a bit more per item when you use those payment methods.
If you purchase a large amount, JM Bullion offers a volume (or bulk) discount. There is also a discount for active military service members. All orders over $199 ship for free with insurance. The gold IRA provider doesn’t have a minimum purchase amount, and it holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a BB rating with the BCA.
Pros
- Customer service available via live chat, phone or email
- Free shipping on domestic orders of $199 or more
- Minimum purchase requirement of just $500
Cons
- Cancellation fee of $50 or 5% of the total, whichever is greater
- Price may be higher for some payment methods
Why we chose it: American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX) offers live chat with auto-prompts for commonly asked FAQs, transparent pricing on its website and customer support available via its aforementioned chat service, phone or email.
APMEX offers customers a wide range of investment choices, with more than 30,000 products listed on its website. With over 20 years in business and positive third-party ratings, APMEX is among the market’s most trusted online gold dealers. Of its nearly 8,550 Trustpilot reviews, 85% are five-star ratings.
The company offers secure storage of precious metals through Citadel, which is backed by Brink’s Global Services. There is a 4% discount if you pay with paper checks, eChecks, bank wire or trade. APMEX’s minimum purchase requirement for online orders is just $500 — among the lowest on Money’s list of the best gold IRA companies. It holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a AAA rating with the BCA.
Pros
- Fee information easy to find online
- Unique Texas-based depository option
- Accessible blog with a comprehensive catalogue of coins and bars
Cons
- No online pricing or online ordering
Why we chose it: Founded in 2016, Noble Gold Investments offers customers a diverse range of precious metals storage options.
In addition to Delaware Depository and Brink’s Global Services — two well-known precious metals depositories — Noble Gold also uses International Depository Services (IDS) in Texas, giving customers an additional option for storing the precious metals they purchase. Additionally, real-time account information is available through the gold IRA custodian.
Customers pay two annual fees: an $80 account fee and a $150 fee for insurance and segregated storage, in which customers’ holdings are stored individually rather than pooled together. There are no prices listed on its website; however, the gold IRA provider holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a AAA rating with the BCA.
Pros
- No fees for setup, transfer or annual maintenance
- Transparent pricing on its website, as well as live chat service
- Storage fees could be waived for up to three years
Cons
- Site lacks info about custodial fees
- Suggests investing up to 20% of assets in precious metals — far riskier than conventional investing advice
Why we chose it: Investing in precious metals doesn’t always require significant capital. While other gold IRA companies have a $50,000 minimum, Orion Metal Exchange offers a much lower barrier to entry.
For its gold IRAs, Orion Metal Exchange has an order minimum of just $5,000 (or $10,000 to qualify for promotions, according to a company customer support representative, which can offset its custodial fees). The company, founded in 2017, runs limited-time promotions offering free storage and touts no fees, though there is a $50 setup fee paid to the IRA custodian. If your precious metals IRA is worth $500,000 or less, your combined annual cost for custodial administration, storage and insurance is a flat $190, according to the company.
The gold IRA provider offers a live chat service and lists prices for all of its products on the website. Orion Metal Exchange holds an A+ rating with the BBB but a CCC rating with the BCA.
Other gold IRA companies we considered
Lexi Capital
Why it didn’t make the list: Founded in 2010, Lexi Capital is not on our main list because its website says the company does not keep “regular” phone hours, even though customers’ exchanges or returns must be approved by phone within three days of purchase.
Additionally, Lexi Capital has very few customer reviews on the BBB. However, the precious metals firm receives an AAA grade from the BCA and price quotes include 3% discount for cash payments.
Patriot Gold Group
Why it didn’t make the cut: Patriot Gold Group is not on our main list because it employs scare tactics to sell precious metals.
Founded in 2016, the company has limited customer reviews on TrustPilot and the BBB, and it receives an AA grade from the BCA, which is lower than most companies on our list.
American Coin Co. (formerly Red Rock Secured)
Why it didn’t make the cut: Red Rock Secured recently lost its BBB accreditation. In May 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against Red Rock Secured, its CEO Sean Kelly and two former employees, Anthony Spencer and Jeffrey Ward, in connection with a fraudulent scheme that included markups of 130% and $30 million of clients’ money misappropriated.
Since then, the company rebranded as American Coin Co., but it does not have an official website. The newly formed company is not accredited by the BBB.
Silver Gold Bull
Why it didn’t make the list: Founded in 2006, Silver Gold Bull is not on our main list because its website has very little information investors need to know about IRS-approved precious metals investing.
The company receives an A+ grade from the BBB, but it is not accredited by the BBB. According to its website, the Silver Gold Bull does not allow order cancellations.
Monetary Gold
Why it didn’t make the list: Although Monetary Gold maintains an A+ BBB accreditation and generally positive reviews, limited independent reviews on major platforms like BBB and Trustpilot make it harder to assess a consistent customer experience compared.
How we evaluated the best gold IRA companies
We evaluated gold IRA companies’ websites as well as the company’s profile with consumer advocacy organizations like the Better Business Bureau, the Business Consumer Alliance and TrustPilot. We considered each of the gold IRA companies’ reputation, fee and pricing transparency and whether or not they provide high-quality online education and resources.
Additionally, we compared the companies’ fee structures, minimum balances (when available) and how easy it was to find this information on their websites. We also analyzed the user-friendliness and responsiveness of their customer service.
We regularly update our list of best gold IRA companies to ensure that our highlighted picks continue to meet these requirements.
Gold IRA FAQs
Is copper a precious metal?
Although copper is an important industrial commodity that is used to manufacture goods ranging from car exhaust systems to plumbing pipes, it is not a precious metal as defined by the IRS for gold IRA investing.
What is the best gold IRA?
What qualifies a company as the “best” gold IRA is highly subjective and is ultimately decided by your personal financial situation and retirement saving goals. Gold IRAs are best for sophisticated investors with experience buying and selling precious metals. It’s smart to avoid any gold investment company that uses high-pressure sales pitches or scare tactics as engaging with those companies could mean you could wind up with an investment that doesn’t fit your goals or encountering scams. Make sure to diversify your portfolio and mitigate risk.
How do I open a gold IRA?
Start by researching guides such as this one to find the best gold IRA company for your needs. Once you choose a company, they will help you establish and fund your new IRA, most likely via a rollover from another IRA. A direct transfer of funds will ensure that you don’t have negative tax consequences.
What is a precious metals IRA?
The term “gold IRA” tends to be the most popular, but a gold IRA — or a silver IRA, for that matter — is the same as a precious metals IRA. These are classified by the IRS as self-directed IRAs, which are a specific category of tax-deferred retirement accounts that let you invest in alternative assets such as physical precious metals, real estate or cryptocurrency.
How do I invest in precious metals?
There are multiple ways to invest in precious metals. One option is to do so via gold IRA. You can also buy physical precious metals outside of an IRA, or you can invest in gold-backed assets — stocks, mutual funds or ETFs that hold physical gold or stocks of gold companies. There are also gold futures contracts and other derivatives that professional traders use to hedge their positions, but those aren’t recommended for retail investors because of their complexity and the potential for outsized losses.
Summary of Money’s Best Gold IRA Companies of May 2026
- Allegiance Gold: Best Overall
- Augusta Precious Metals: Best for Educational Resources
- Advantage Gold: Best for Customer Satisfaction
- American Hartford Gold: Best for Low Fees
- JM Bullion: Best for Transparent Pricing
- APMEX: Best for Customer Support and Accessibility
- Noble Gold Investments: Best for Diverse Storage Options
- Orion Metal Exchange: Best for Small-Balance Investors
Key Takeaways
Allegiance Gold is the best overall gold IRA company, with high customer satisfaction ratings, transparent pricing, simplified ordering and a vast library of education resources.
Methodology: We analyzed over a dozen gold IRA companies and compared them with their competitors to highlight the best options for various precious metals investment needs.
The best gold IRA companies operating in this space facilitate insurance and secure storage, as required by the IRS, and ensure that the precious metals held in these accounts meet minimum purity standards.
Reputable gold IRA companies also offer educational resources, responsive customer service, competitive pricing and easy account setup.
How we chose our top picks
We analyzed over a dozen gold individual retirement account (IRA) companies and compared them with their competitors to highlight the best options for various precious metals investment needs. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned investor, our guide to the best gold IRA companies can help you make the right decision.
For our complete methodology, click here.
Our top picks for best gold IRA companies for May 2026
Allegiance Gold: Best Overall
Augusta Precious Metals: Best for Educational Resources
Advantage Gold: Best for Customer Satisfaction
American Hartford Gold: Best for Low Fees
JM Bullion: Best for Transparent Pricing
APMEX: Best for Customer Support and Accessibility
Noble Gold Investments: Best for Diverse Storage Options
Orion Metal Exchange: Best for Small-Balance Investors
Best gold IRA company reviews
Pros
Top ratings from the BBB, BCA and Trustpilot
Transparent pricing on its website
Online learning center provides extensive educational resources
Cons
Fees are not listed on its website
Why we chose it: Allegiance Gold scores the highest overall of all the gold IRA companies Money reviewed.
While many companies force customers to call for pricing and orders, Allegiance Gold is very transparent with its pricing. Costs for all products are listed on its website, and customers can order through an online cart, simplifying the process. The company also provides users with extensive educational resources through its online learning center.
Allegiance Gold’s fees are not listed on its website, and there is a $10,000 minimum investment requirement. The gold IRA provider holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a AAA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA).
Pros
Expansive offering of informative articles, news, blogs and videos for educational purposes
Supports investing diversity
Potential for fee waivers of up to 10 years
Cons
High minimum purchase order of $50,000
Hard to find fee information online
Pricing for gold and silver products isn’t transparent
Why we chose it: Founded in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals offers precious metals investment options and a wealth of free educational resources on gold, silver and precious metal investing.
Augusta Precious Metals
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