Gold IRA companies compared by fees
We ranked US gold IRA companies by the fees they publish on their own websites: setup, annual administration and storage for an example $50,000 account. Companies that do not publish fees come after the ranked ones, A to Z. No affiliate links, and no company pays to be listed.
Fees checked October 11, 2026 on each company's website, for an example $50,000 account. First-year fees = setup + annual administration + annual storage, without the dealer markup on the metal. How we rank
| # | Company | First-year fees | Setup | Admin / year | Storage / year | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta Precious Metals | $285 | $50 | $125 | $110 | $50,000 |
| 1 | Birch Gold Group | $285 | $50 | $125 | $110 | $5,000 |
| 3 | Lear Capital | $315 | Incl. in total | Incl. in total | Incl. in total | Not published |
| 4 | Noble Gold Investments | $335 | $50 | $125 | $160 | $20,000 |
| Fees not published or not checked: listed A to Z, not ranked | ||||||
| – | Advantage Gold | Not published | – | – | – | Not published |
| – | American Hartford Gold | Not published | – | – | – | $10,000 |
| – | APMEX | Not published | – | – | – | $2,000 |
| – | Goldco | Not published | – | – | – | $25,000 |
| – | JM Bullion | Not published | – | – | – | No IRA minimum ($100 minimum order) |
| – | Kitco | Not published | – | – | – | Not published |
| – | Money Metals Exchange | Not published | – | – | – | Not published |
| – | Orion Metal Exchange | Not published | – | – | – | Not published |
| – | Patriot Gold Group | Not published | – | – | – | $50,000 |
| – | SD Bullion | Not published | – | – | – | Not published |
| – | U.S. Money Reserve | Not checked | – | – | – | Not checked |
How we rank
- First-year fees: setup + annual administration (custodian) + annual storage for an example $50,000 account, or the first-year total if that is all a company publishes.
- Lowest first. Equal totals share a rank and are listed A to Z.
- Fees not published: listed last, A to Z. Missing information never moves a company up.
- Waivers count only if they apply to a $50,000 account with no other condition. None does yet.
- Sources: only the company’s own website or documents, linked in each card with the date checked.
Not measured: the dealer markup on the metal, buyback prices and service. The markup can cost more than all account fees together.
What the fees add up to over time
Total published account fees for the ranked companies, if you keep the account for the years you choose.
- Augusta Precious Metals$50 setup + $235 a year$2,400
- Birch Gold Group$50 setup + $235 a year$2,400
- Lear Capital$315 first year, then $235 a year$2,430
- Noble Gold Investments$50 setup + $285 a year$2,900
Setup once, then annual administration and storage at the rates in the table above, for an example $50,000 account. Not included: wire, shipping and closing fees, fee waivers and the markup on the metal. Fees can change; check them with the company.
The companies, one by one
Augusta Precious Metals
$285first yearSays every account gets up to 10 years of fees paid by the company; conditions not published, so not counted.
More details
- Fees
- Setup $50 (one time); custodian $125 and depository storage with insurance $110 per year. Augusta says these are flat fees that do not grow with the account: $285 in the first year and $235 per year after that.
- Minimum
- $50,000 (minimum initial purchase, for IRA and cash purchases)
- Fee waiver
- Augusta says every account receives up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees paid by the company. It does not publish the conditions, so it is not counted in our total.
- Prices online
- Not on the FAQ page. Augusta says it gives a written Transaction Agreement before any purchase.
- Founded
- 2012 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Beverly Hills, California (BBB record)
- Storage
- $110 per year including insurance, at an IRS-compliant depository. The FAQ does not say whether storage is segregated.
- Custodian
- Not published
- Depository
- Not published
- Buyback
- Has a buyback program (described in its FAQ).
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2015
Sources 1 2 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · augustapreciousmetals.com
Birch Gold Group
$285first yearBirch pays the first year's fees on transfers over $50,000; after that the fees are $235 a year at any account size.
More details
- Fees
- Setup $50 and wire transfer $30 (one time); management $125 and storage with insurance $110 per year. Birch says the $235 annual total is the same for any account size.
- Minimum
- $5,000 (the company says it can vary with market conditions)
- Fee waiver
- Birch pays the first year's fees on transfers over $50,000.
- Prices online
- No. Birch states that it does not quote product prices online.
- Founded
- 2011
- Based in
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Storage
- $110 per year including insurance. The page does not say whether this is segregated or non-segregated storage.
- Custodian
- Equity Trust Company, GoldStar Trust Company
- Depository
- Delaware Depository, Brink's Global Services, International Depository Services, Texas Precious Metals Depository, Texas Bullion Depository
- Buyback
- Says it welcomes buying back metal it sold; no guarantee or price terms published.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2013
Sources 1 2 3 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · birchgold.com
Lear Capital
$315first yearAfter the first year: $235 a year. Its fee waivers apply to limited mintage coins only, so they are not counted.
More details
- Fees
- $315 in the first year and $235 in each later year, covering custodian and storage fees. Lear does not split the total. It applies with electronic statements and non-segregated storage; segregated storage costs more (amount not published).
- Minimum
- Not published
- Fee waiver
- Lear pays setup and storage account fees by purchase size: $50 setup over $10,000; first year at $25,000 to $50,000; two years at $50,000 to $75,000; three years over $75,000. Applies to limited mintage coins only, so it is not counted in our total.
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website. Its transaction agreement says spreads generally range between 2% and 35% of the purchase price.
- Founded
- 1997
- Based in
- Los Angeles, California
- Storage
- Non-segregated storage is included in the published fee. Segregated storage costs more; amount not published.
- Custodian
- Self Directed IRA Services, Inc.
- Depository
- Delaware Depository
- Buyback
- No buyback guarantee; buyback prices are lower than selling prices and a service fee may apply.
- Promotions
- A $500 account credit with its investor kit; free coins up to $15,000 on qualifying purchases.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 1997
Sources 1 2 3 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · learcapital.com
Noble Gold Investments
$335first yearFlat fees at any account value; a $30 wire transfer is charged once and closing the account costs $250.
More details
- Fees
- Setup $50 and wire transfer $30 (one time); account maintenance $125 and metals storage $160 per year, flat at any account value. In-kind distribution $75, account closure $250.
- Minimum
- $20,000
- Prices online
- No. Prices are given on request.
- Founded
- 2016 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Encino, California
- Storage
- $160 per year, flat. Its main depository partner is International Depository Services in Dallas, Texas.
- Custodian
- Not published
- Depository
- International Depository Services (Dallas, Texas)
- Buyback
- Says it will buy back metal it sold; no price terms published.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2017
Sources 1 2 3 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · noblegoldinvestments.com
Fees not published or not checked Listed A to Z, not ranked. Open a row for details and sources.
Advantage GoldMinimumNot publishedFees are set by the custodian you choose; free setup and IRA fees for qualified applicants, criteria not published.Visit site
- Fees
- No fee amounts published. Fees are set by the custodian you choose.
- Minimum
- Not published
- Fee waiver
- Free setup and IRA fees for "qualified applicants"; criteria not published.
- Prices online
- Partly: prices are shown for some products.
- Founded
- 2014
- Based in
- Austin, Texas
- Storage
- Not published by the company.
- Custodian
- STRATA Trust Company, Equity Trust Company
- Depository
- Brink's Global Services (Los Angeles, Salt Lake City), Delaware Depository
- Buyback
- Says it will buy back from any customer; no price terms published.
- Promotions
- Up to $1,000 in free silver for qualified applications.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2014
Sources 1 2 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · advantagegold.com
American Hartford GoldMinimum$10,000Says fees vary with account size and the metal held; advertises up to 3 years with no IRA fees, conditions not published.Visit site
- Fees
- No fee amounts published. The company says fees vary with account size and the metal held.
- Minimum
- $10,000
- Fee waiver
- Advertises up to 3 years with no IRA fees for a limited time; conditions not published.
- Prices online
- No ("Call for pricing"). Its transaction agreement discloses spreads of 1% to 19.99% on bullion, up to 39.99% on exclusive and semi-numismatic coins and up to 59.99% on certain numismatic coins.
- Founded
- 2015
- Based in
- Los Angeles, California
- Storage
- Not published. Depositories it lists offer segregated and non-segregated storage.
- Custodian
- Equity Trust Company
- Depository
- Delaware Depository, A-M Global Logistics, International Depository Services
- Buyback
- No repurchase guarantee (transaction agreement); no liquidation fees stated.
- Promotions
- Free silver up to $15,000 on qualifying purchases; conditions not published.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2016
Sources 1 2 3 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · americanhartfordgold.com
APMEXMinimum$2,000A large online bullion dealer; account and storage fees are set by its preferred custodian.Visit site
- Fees
- Not published by APMEX. Account and storage fees are set by the custodian.
- Minimum
- $2,000 (minimum IRA purchase)
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website.
- About
- A large online bullion dealer. You open the IRA online with its preferred custodian and order metal while the transfer is pending.
- Founded
- 2000 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Storage
- Set by your custodian and its depository.
- Custodian
- Equity Trust Company (Equity Institutional)
- Depository
- Not published
- Buyback
- Buys back IRA metals; the IRA FAQ covers selling back to APMEX.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2004
GoldcoMinimum$25,000Says annual fees are often one flat fee per year and that it may reimburse them; amounts not published.Visit site
- Fees
- No fee amounts published. Goldco says annual fees are often charged as one flat fee per year and that it may reimburse them.
- Minimum
- $25,000
- Fee waiver
- May reimburse annual fees; terms not published.
- Prices online
- No ("Call for pricing").
- Founded
- 2011
- Based in
- Calabasas, California
- Storage
- Not published (an insured depository).
- Custodian
- Equity Trust Company (named on its account statement guide); works with other custodians
- Depository
- Not published
- Buyback
- Advertises a "highest buyback guarantee" and no liquidation fees; terms not published.
- Promotions
- Bonus silver: up to 5% on $50,000 to $99,999 and 10% on $100,000 or more of Goldco premium coins, on qualified orders.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2011
Sources 1 2 3 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · goldco.com
JM BullionMinimumNo IRA minimum ($100 minimum order)A bullion dealer that sells metal for IRAs; fees depend on the custodian and depository you choose.Visit site
- Fees
- Not published. JM Bullion says fees depend on the custodian and depository you choose.
- Minimum
- No IRA minimum ($100 minimum order)
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website.
- About
- A bullion dealer, a subsidiary of Gold.com. It sells metal for IRAs but does not set up the account; you choose the custodian.
- Founded
- 2011 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Dallas, Texas
- Storage
- Set by your custodian and depository.
- Custodian
- New Direction Trust Company (example it gives)
- Depository
- First State Depository (example it gives)
- Buyback
- General buyback program; no IRA terms published.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2014
Sources 1 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · jmbullion.com/ira
KitcoMinimumNot publishedA bullion dealer; IRA metal is held with one of its partner custodians, fees not published.Visit site
- Fees
- Not published.
- Minimum
- Not published
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website.
- About
- A bullion dealer. Metal bought for an IRA is held with one of its partner custodians.
- Storage
- Set by your custodian and depository.
- Custodian
- Several partner custodians, including GoldStar Trust, Equity Institutional, New Direction IRA and Provident Trust Group
- Depository
- Not published
- Buyback
- General buyback program; no IRA terms published.
Sources 1 2 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · online.kitco.com
Money Metals ExchangeMinimumNot publishedAn online bullion dealer with its own depository; account fees are set by the custodian.Visit site
- Fees
- Not published by Money Metals. Account fees are set by the custodian.
- Minimum
- Not published
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website.
- About
- An online bullion dealer with its own depository (Money Metals Depository). It suggests New Direction Trust Company as custodian and says it works with any self-directed IRA custodian.
- Founded
- 2010 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Eagle, Idaho
- Storage
- Money Metals Depository or a depository chosen through your custodian; fees not published on the IRA page.
- Custodian
- New Direction Trust Company (suggested)
- Depository
- Money Metals Depository
- Buyback
- Not stated on the IRA page.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2011
Sources 1 2 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · moneymetals.com
Orion Metal ExchangeMinimumNot publishedRefers to the custodian's fee schedule; product prices are shown on its website.Visit site
- Fees
- No fee amounts published. The site refers to the custodian's fee schedule.
- Minimum
- Not published
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website.
- Founded
- 2017 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Los Angeles, California
- Storage
- Not published.
- Custodian
- Not published
- Depository
- Not published
- Buyback
- No commission charged at liquidation; payment in 4 to 7 business days.
- Promotions
- Says it will beat any competitor's advertised price.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2021
Sources 1 2 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · orionmetalexchange.com
Patriot Gold GroupMinimum$50,000Advertises "no fees for life" on qualifying IRAs; the minimum rollover is not published.Visit site
- Fees
- No fee amounts published.
- Minimum
- $50,000
- Fee waiver
- "No fees for life" on qualifying IRAs with a minimum rollover; the minimum is not published.
- Prices online
- No.
- Founded
- 2016 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Seal Beach, California
- Storage
- Not published. Segregated storage at a Texas depository.
- Custodian
- The Entrust Group, New Direction IRA, GoldStar Trust, Kingdom Trust, STRATA Trust Company, Equity Institutional
- Depository
- A Texas depository (not named)
- Buyback
- Not published
- Promotions
- A free silver coin with phone qualification.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2022
Sources 1 2 3 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · patriotgoldgroup.com
SD BullionMinimumNot publishedAn online bullion dealer with its own IRA-approved depository; fees not confirmed.Visit site
- Fees
- Not published on the IRA pages we could open; its storage pages blocked our automated checks.
- Minimum
- Not published
- Prices online
- Yes, product prices are shown on the website.
- About
- An online bullion dealer that says it owns its own IRA-approved depository.
- Founded
- 2012
- Storage
- Its own depository; fees not confirmed.
- Custodian
- Not published
- Depository
- SD Bullion's own depository
- Buyback
- Not published
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2014
Sources 1 2 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · ira.sdbullion.com
U.S. Money Reserve Not checkedMinimumNot checkedIts website blocked our checks on October 11, 2026; ask the company for its fee schedule in writing.Visit site
- Fees
- Not confirmed (website could not be checked).
- Minimum
- Not checked
- Prices online
- Not confirmed.
- About
- Its website blocked our automated checks on October 11, 2026, so we could not confirm its IRA fees or offers. Ask the company for its fee schedule in writing.
- Founded
- 2001 (BBB record)
- Based in
- Austin, Texas
- Storage
- Not confirmed.
- Custodian
- Not published
- Depository
- Not published
- Buyback
- Not confirmed.
- BBB rating
- A+, accredited since 2020
Sources 1 · Checked Oct 11, 2026 · usmoneyreserve.com
Custodian fees, to check a quote
The custodian, not the company, usually charges the account fees. These are the custodians' own published schedules. A company may have other terms, so they do not affect the ranking.
| Custodian | Setup | Annual fee | Storage / year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRATA Trust Company | $50 (waived for electronic applications) | $150 per year (precious metals tier) | $115 commingled, $175 segregated | Fee schedule |
| GoldStar Trust Company | $50 | $90 per year | $125 commingled, from $225 segregated | Fee schedule |
| Equity Trust Company | $50 | $125 or $175 per year (precious metals only schedule, two account types) | $110 non-segregated, $160 segregated | Fee schedule |
Before you call a gold IRA company
- Get every fee in writing, including wire, shipping and closing fees. Segregated storage costs more than commingled.
- Ask for the markup on one bullion coin, such as a 1 oz American Gold Eagle, and check the quote below or compare it with the lowest US dealer price on our IRA eligible gold and silver list.
- Prefer plain bullion. Proof and limited-mintage coins often carry much higher markups, and “free silver” is usually paid for through the metal price.
- Walk away from pressure: urgency, crash warnings, offers that expire today. See the CFTC precious metals fraud advisory.
- Gold pays no interest and can fall for years. These companies sell metal; they do not advise on how much of your savings to put in it.
Got a quote from a gold IRA company? Check it
Pick the product, enter the quantity and the price per coin or bar from the quote. We compare it with today's US dealer prices and the value of the metal.
Enter the price per piece from your quote.
How we judge it: we compare your price with today's prices for this product from the US dealers we track; above the highest of them, ask the company for a written breakdown of its markup. Dealer prices change during the day. A price comparison, not investment or tax advice.
metalsradar.com compares precious metals prices. We do not sell metals or take commissions from these companies. General information, not tax, legal or investment advice.
Gold IRA FAQ
Which gold IRA company has the lowest fees?
By published first-year fees for an example $50,000 account: Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group ($285 each), checked October 11, 2026. The total does not include the dealer markup on the metal, so ask for a written quote before you buy.
What fees does a gold IRA charge?
A one-time setup fee, an annual custodian fee and an annual storage fee, plus the dealer markup on the metal. Some custodians also charge for wires, shipping or closing the account.
How does a gold IRA work?
You open a self-directed IRA with a custodian that allows precious metals and fund it with a contribution, transfer or rollover. The custodian buys IRA eligible coins and bars from the dealer, and the metal goes to an approved depository. Compare gold and silver storage facilities that offer IRA storage.
Can I keep my IRA gold at home?
No. IRA metal must be held by the IRA trustee or an approved depository. Taking it home can be treated as a taxable distribution, as the US Tax Court ruled in McNulty v. Commissioner (2021).
Can I roll over a 401(k) into a gold IRA?
Usually yes, if your plan allows it. A direct rollover avoids withholding and the 60-day deadline, and only one indirect IRA-to-IRA rollover is allowed in 12 months. See the IRS rules on rollovers and Publication 590-A.
Why are there no affiliate links on this page?
Many gold IRA rankings are paid per lead or per sale. We list companies by published fees only, so the order cannot depend on who pays more.