Best Gold Investment Companies Review
January 19, 2024- Written by Peter Anderson
Get immediate access to the most qualified gold IRA companies so you can safely secure your retirement.
These companies have:
- Lifetime customer support
- Highest level of Global Accreditations
- Flexibility to meet every concern
- Stellar customer feedback
- The most secure depository storage
My rigorous review process first found 20 gold IRA company contenders. Then, I picked those with the highest consumer ratings from the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) & the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which narrowed it down to 10 companies.
I moved on to screen these companies for the best ratings in these categories: Customer support, compliance assistance, transparency, education, and fees & prices to gather the top 5 gold IRA accounts.
Or, keep reading to protect your wealth with the most reliable gold IRA accounts on the market.
Disclosure: The owners of this website may be paid to recommend Goldco and the other companies. The content on this website, including any positive reviews of Goldco and other reviews, may not be neutral or independent.
Rank # | Company | Ratings | Header |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 Best Customer Service & Business Ratings |  | 4.9 out of 5 Stars | |
#2 No Complaints to Date, Best Customer Feedback |  | 4.8 out of 5 Stars | |
#3 Best Buyback Program |  | 4.6 out of 5 Stars | |
#4 Most Experienced |  | 4.4 out of 5 Stars | |
#5 Lowest Minimum |  | 4.3 out of 5 Stars |
#1 Best Customer Service & Business Ratings
4.9/5 Rating
#2 Best Customer Feedback
4.8/5 Rating
#3 Best Buyback Program
4.7/5 Rating
#4 Most Experience
4.5/5 Rating
#5 Lowest Minimum
4.3/5 Rating
Some of the links in this article are from sponsors. The list below is an honest review gathered from thorough research, experience, and consumer-based feedback.
The top gold investment companies
Automatic protection from increasing inflation and market risks is granted with these providers.
The Best Gold IRA Companies List of 2023:
- Best Business Ratings/Customer Service: Goldco
- Best Customer Feedback: Augusta Precious Metals
- Best Buyback Program: American Hartford Gold
- Most experienced: Birch Gold Group
- Lowest Minimum: Noble Gold Investments
#1: Goldco - Best Customer Service & Business Ratings
4.9/5
- Fully trusted by Sean Hannity
- Educational opportunities tailored to you
- Up to $10,000 in free silver
- Near perfect ratings from BCA, TrustPilot, & other sources
- Well-known "white glove" customer service
#2: Augusta Precious Metals - Best Customer Feedback
4.8/5
- Thousands of 5-star ratings from clients
- Endorsement by high-income customers like Joe Montana
- No-pressure sales strategy
- Account lifetime support
- Unique one-on-one web conference with Harvard economist
#3 American Hartford Gold- Best Buyback Program
4.6/5
- Ranked #1 Gold Company on INC 500 List
- Bill O’Reilly & Rick Harrison's trusted and recommended precious metals dealer
- Buyback commitment with price-match guarantee and no back end fees
- Over $1 billion of precious metals delivered
- A+ Rating from the BBB and a 5-Star Rating on Trustpilot
#4 Birch Gold Group - Most experienced
4.4/5
- Low barrier to entry - $10,000 minimum investment
- Great customer education opportunities for every stage investor
- Transparent pricing and fees
- Have been in business since 2003
- Trusted by Ron Paul & Ben Shapiro
#5 Noble Gold Investments - Lowest minimum
4.3/5
- No questions asked buyback program
- Free delivery straight to your door at any point
- Lowest minimum investment of $2,000
- Over 20 years of experience
- Diverse precious metal investment options (gold, silver, platinum, & palladium)
Let's get into the comparison of these gold IRA companies....
#1. Goldco - Best Customer Service & Business Ratings
Our Rating: 4.9/5 stars
Goldco specializes in self-directed gold & silver IRAs in the USA along with direct purchases of physical gold.
Founded over a decade ago, it is one of the more seasoned gold investment companies; they have years of experience and tremendous client feedback.
Once you get started with Goldco, you get a precious metals specialist to walk you through the IRA process while ensuring you meet your investment goals.
From then on, they are there for you with any questions or concerns you might have. Goldco does not rush you or guide you in any direction you don't want to go.
The BBB has awarded Goldco with an A+ rating and, as a private business, was also named one of the fastest-growing companies in the USA by Inc. 500.
"Goldco is the company I recommend to my audience, friends, & family. "
-Sean Hannity
Goldco's ratings as of 2022:
Business Consumer Alliance: AAA
Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+
Scam Report: N/R
Trustlink: ★★★★★
Consumer Affairs: ★★★★★
Trustpilot: ★★★★★
Goldco Gold IRA Fees & Minimum Investment:
The required minimum purchase at Goldco to start a gold IRA is $25,000. Goldco’s preferred Custodian charges a flat annual account service fee which includes a one-time IRA account set-up fee of $50. as well as a $30 wire fee. Annual maintenance is $100, and storage is $150 for segregated storage or $100 for non-segregated storage.
Fees for gold storage and custodianship can vary depending on the company you select to handle these services (required by the IRS, as all IRA assets must be managed by a custodian). Depending on the Custodian, storage fees can range from $10 to $60 per month, or as a percentage of assets, from 0.35% to 1% annually. Goldco does not charge any storage fees for cash transactions over $25,000."
Goldco Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
#2. Augusta Precious Metals- Best Customer Feedback
**No Complaints since they began in 2012**
Our Rating: 4.8/5 stars
Quick Summary of Augusta:
- Thousands of 5-star ratings from clients
- No-pressure sales strategy
- Account lifetime support
- Unique one-on-one web conference with Harvard economist
Founded in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals is one of the bigger gold IRA companies & has since delivered education-centric investment opportunities to ensure you go down the right path with your money.
They even offer a personal one-on-one web conference with Devlyn Steele, the Harvard-trained economist they have on staff.
This client-focused strategy has earned them a great reputation, with thousands of five-star reviews and absolutely no complaints to the BCA or BBB the whole time they have been in business.
Even football legend Joe Montana and his financial advisors settled on them as the best option for managing his gold IRA.. Joe asked his financial advisors to find the best gold IRA company in the US, and after reviewing all possible choices they suggested Augusta Precious Metals for its strong reputation, transparency, and competitive prices.
"Augusta Precious Metals helped diversify my portfolio to protect my hard-earned retirement."
-Joe Montana
Augusta's 2022 ratings:
Business Consumer Alliance: AAA
Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+
Scam Report: N/R
Trustlink: ★★★★★
Consumer Affairs: ★★★★★
Trustpilot: ★★★★★
Augusta Precious Metals Fees & Minimum Investment:
- Annual custodial fee: $80
- Annual depository storage: $100
- Minimum investment: $50,000
Annual custodial fee | $80 |
Annual depository storage fee | $100 |
Minimum investment | $50,000 |
Augusta has 4 different client-devoted departments that you’ll work with when you invest with the company. These departments will all work together for the lifetime of your account to deliver you the best service and make sure you understand every step, with easily digestible information.
What to Expect if You Choose Augusta:
Augusta Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
- Annual custodial fee: $80
- Annual depository storage: $100
- Minimum investment: $25,000
#3. American Hartford Gold - Best Buyback Program
Our Rating: 4.6/5 stars
American Hartford Gold is a widely-recognized brand that works with investors to aid them in diversifying their portfolio and protecting their assets against the volatility of the stock market and inflation.
AHG has received a 5-star rating from the BBB three years in a row. They take their customers' success seriously and offers education options when investing with them. Not only do they offer market news and updates, they also have free consultations with the a senior portfolio manager.
If you're looking for a company that takes care of you during the entire process and ensures they can buyback your metals at any time you wish, American Hartford Gold is a great choice. If you're a beginner investor or someone who is very knowledgable, they will have valued education to bring to the table in both instances.
They offer the best buyback program on the market, and a quick and secure delivery option. At no cost they will deliver your metals straight to your door.
American Hartford Gold's ratings as of 2022:
Business Consumer Alliance: AAA
Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+
Scam Report: N/R
Trustlink: ★★★★★
Consumer Affairs: ★★★★★
Trustpilot: ★★★★★
American Hartford gold Fees & Minimum Investment:
- Annual custodial fee: $75
- Annual depository storage: Varies
- Minimum investment: Not specified
Annual custodial fee | $75 |
Annual depository storage fee | Varies |
Minimum investment | Not specified |
American Hartford Gold Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
#4. Birch Gold Group - Most experienced
Our Rating: 4.4/5 stars
Birch Gold Group aims to empower its clients to meet their personal investing goals.
They have the lowest minimum startup investment, a solid customer service department, tons of educational resources, and a transparent approach so the client knows what's happening 100% of the time with their gold investment in USA.
Since 2003, Birch Gold Group has maintained a great reputation and works with the likes of Ben Shapiro and other celebrity clients.
They have high BBB ratings, as well as Google and Consumer Affairs.
Their specialists are free to chat and explain the latest stock market information, changes, and how that applies to your IRA.
Birch's entire process is designed to empower their clients with the knowledge to make their own decisions and be confident in them. In addition to their client empowerment, they also have the lowest minimum startup investment of just $10,000.
Birch Gold Group's ratings as of 2022:
Business Consumer Alliance: AAA
Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+
Scam Report: N/R
Trustlink: ★★★★★
Consumer Affairs: ★★★★★
Trustpilot: ★★★★★
Birch Gold Group Fees & Minimum Investment:
- Annual custodial fee: $75
- Annual depository storage: Varies
- Minimum investment: Not specified
Annual custodial fee | $75 |
Annual depository storage fee | Varies |
Minimum investment | Not specified |
Birch Gold Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
#5. Noble Gold Investments - Lowest Minimum
Our Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Noble Gold is based in Pasadena, California and has more than 20 years of experience with precious metals and IRA's. They pride themselves on their customer education and simple 5 minute process to get started with a Gold IRA.
Their customers rave about how friendly and knowledgeable their team is and how well they explain the process to invest in precious metals. You get a dedicated account manager who is committed to helping you understand everything you need to know about precious metals.
Noble Gold has a gold survival pack that can be delivered to you at no cost, with no questions asked, which is excellent for the uncertainty of the economy.
$2,000 minimum investment for a gold IRA with a company that's reliable and trustworthy is mostly unheard of.
Noble's ratings as of 2022:
Business Consumer Alliance: AA
Better Business Bureau (BBB): A-
Scam Report: N/R
Trustlink: ★★★★★
Consumer Affairs: ★★★★★
Trustpilot: N/R
Noble's Fees & Minimum Investment:
Annual custodial fee | $80 |
Annual depository storage fee | $100 |
Minimum investment | $2,000 |
Noble Gold Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Benefits of a Gold IRA Investment:
Precious Metal Investing FAQ
What is a Gold IRA?
There are two components to a Gold IRA account: an IRA and gold.
Gold is a precious metal that has been used as a secure investment for ages.
It has a tendency to hold its value and is a commodity. Gold technically falls into the "investment diversifying" category like real estate or stocks do.
Precious metals are a great hedge against inflation that comes with a fiat currency like the US dollar, which is thrown around and abused by politicians.
Precious metals are great because they're the actual commodity, whereas the U.S. dollar was once backed by gold, the commodity, but no longer is. It is literally backed by nothing but the word of the government that issues it.
A great way to compare the US dollar and gold is by looking at their value in history.
in 1970, gold was priced at $35 per ounce. In 2021, gold is now at $1,800 per ounce.
If you had $35 in cash in 1970, it is still the same $35, but with MUCH less buying power than it once had thanks to inflation.
Obviously more goes into the comparison than just their value changes in the last 50 years, but this gives you some good insight into which way both gold and the dollar could be headed.
Now let's talk about what an IRA is.
IRA stands for "Individual Retirement Account"
Traditional IRAs are great because they take your pre-tax funds and invest them into your retirement. Then your account grows without any capital gains or dividends slapped on it.
The income tax comes later when you withdraw your money from the IRA.
A Roth IRA is similar to the Traditional IRA, but it only can hold stocks and bonds or cash.
Combining all of the concepts above, you get a gold IRA, which is a gold-backed individual retirement account.
This can be made up of gold bars and coins, or different precious metals. The "traditional" approach is an IRA backed by stocks and bonds.
Your gold IRA account can also be set up with post and pre-tax income. Make sure you work with a reputable gold IRA company and are not getting scammed. There are many con artist companies with illegal processes that could get you in a lot of trouble.
Gold IRA FAQ
Gold IRA Meaning
The term "Gold IRA" refers to a specialized Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that holds gold (and at times other precious metals).
A gold IRA is separate from a Traditional IRA and is allowed to hold other precious metals.
How Does a Gold IRA Work?
A gold IRA works just like a traditional IRA, but invested in it is gold or other physical precious metals.
This is great because a gold IRA in the USA allows you to invest without paying capital gains tax.
What is a Gold IRA Company?
A gold IRA company is a company that's qualified to facilitate the purchase of gold and the setup of your Gold IRA under IRS rules.
Along with a gold IRA company, you will also need a Gold IRA Custodian, as well as a security depository to store your gold.
The best Gold Investment companies in USA help with this process and even take care of it all for you.
How Much Does it Cost to Open a Gold IRA?
As with almost everything Gold IRAs come with fees. This usually amounts to anywhere from $250-$300 for the first year, and about $150/year after that.
The investment minimum into your account, however, is dependent on whichever company you choose to invest with. This minimum ranges from $5,000 up to $50,000.
Is Gold Allowed in an IRA?
Gold is allowed in a Gold IRA, which is also called a "precious metals IRA".
There are 4 precious metals you can put into this which include gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
Benefits of a Gold IRA- Why Should I Get One?
The benefits of a Gold IRA start with the diversification of your retirement portfolio in a tax-preferential way.
A great way to fund your Gold IRA is through rollovers or transfers which do not trigger any taxes when done properly.
How Do I Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Gold?
You can avoid capital gains tax on any amount of gold by investing directly into a gold IRA if you are investing within the USA.
Other taxes and fees may apply if you're investing in a different country.
The United States does not have capital gains tax on gold or silver purchased for an IRA.
Is Gold Good for Retirement?
Gold is great for the diversification of your retirement account. It hedges against inflation.
In fact, it traditionally performs best when the US Dollar is down.
Who is the Best Gold IRA Custodian?
Our recommendation for the best gold IRA Custodian is Equity Institutional & Self Directed IRA, which you automatically work with when signing up with Augusta.
Equity is their preferred custodian for most customers.
Home Storage Gold IRA- Can I take Physical Possession of Gold in My IRA?
Although you are allowed to purchase gold and store it at home, the IRS does not allow you to store your IRA-approved gold in home storage.
IRS Code Section 408 says your IRA precious metals must be stored with a trustee.
Physical Gold IRA
Your Gold or Precious Metals IRA invests into physical gold and other precious metals.
With a Gold IRA, you also have the option of investing in Gold ETFs, although I don't recommend it.
Gold IRA Guide: What to Know Before Gold IRA Investing
Gold IRAs come with many small details you need to take into consideration- rules and regulations to comply to.
A gold IRA is technically a self-directed IRA, which means specific rules made by the IRS need to be followed.
Below I touch on different investment options, rules, regulations, and more.
Gold IRA Investing Options
Before you begin gold IRA investing, you need to grasp what this does and does not include.
Along with gold, you can also invest in silver and platinum which are approved in the form of bullion bars and coins. The gold coins or bars you invest with need to meet the grade of 0.995 purity and up.
The IRS forbids any collectible investment with your precious metals IRA because they normally won't meet purity standards.
Along with physical gold investments, "paper" investments, as they're called, are also approved by the IRS, although I don't recommend them.
Paper investments, also known as exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, include:
-Precious metal mutual funds
-Stocks in gold mining companies
-Precious metal commodity futures
-Gold commodity exchange-traded funds
| $50,000 Minimum Investment Free portfolio reviews for all clients | *Most Professional *Most Transparent |
Gold IRA Investment Tax Rules & Regulations FAQ
Just like any investment, the IRS has their noses deep in your business and slap a list of rules onto what you can and cannot do.
How is Gold Taxed in a Gold Backed IRA?
Taking your physical precious metals out of the vault (called a distribution) is subject to income tax once you withdrawal, but it is not subject to capital gains tax.
Unless you have a predetermined exclusion, early distributions (before you are 59.5 years old) get a 10% levy tax slapped onto it.
Is a Gold IRA Tax Deductible?
Gold IRAs are tax deductible just like traditional IRAs.
How Do I Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Gold?
You avoid capital gains tax on gold when investing in it through your Gold IRA, as opposed to just purchasing physical gold not through an IRA.
Early Withdrawal Exceptions
Although you usually will get a 10% tax on any early withdrawals, some exceptions include:
- IRA owner has to pay medical bills and doesn't have the funds
- IRA owner dies and the beneficiary can get access to the funds
- IRA owner loses employment
- IRA owner wants to do a first-time home purchase (can take up to $10k)
- IRA owner wants to fund a family member's education
Contribution Limits
Gold backed IRAs have a contribution limit of $6,000/year and $7,000/year if you are over 50.
It can be funded from a rollover or with a purchase made through the IRS-approved administrator.
Age Limits
You can't withdraw your Gold IRA funds until you are 59.5, and you must take distributions of your funds once you hit 70.
Administrator Regulations
To get a gold IRA, you need to go through an IRS-approved precious metals administrator, which is called a custodian.
Even though it is a self-directed IRA and you are in control of what kinds of assets are in your IRA, you will depend on custodians to administer the account, your gold IRA provider to help you choose and buy metals, and your storage facility to ensure the security of your metals.
Gold IRA Approved Storage
Your precious metals need to be stored in IRS-approved vaults.
Taking possession of these precious metals when they are under the rules of an IRA is considered a distribution, which is subject to penalties and taxes if they the distribution is taken early. Surprise!
Physical Precious Metals Storage Options
Gold is always at risk of being stolen, so having a safe depository is necessary—and legally required for gold IRAs.
Some Trusted US Vaults:
- Brinks Security
- Delaware Depository
- CNT Depository
- Delaware Depository
- HSBC Bank USA
- Scotia Mocatta
- JP Morgan Chase Bank North America
Our Gold Backed IRA Guide: Step by Step Gold Investing
Step 1: Choose your gold IRA provider
I listed my favorites above, and as mentioned I would personally go with Augusta. They are the top gold investment company you can work with. While the other companies on this list are all respectable, I think that Augusta is the best choice for most investors.
The other gold backed IRA investment companies mentioned in this article are better than the other contenders like American Hartford Gold, JM Bullion, Lear Capital, Rosland Capital, 7k Metals, SD Bullion and Monetary Gold.
You usually see an average of 10% to 15% portfolio investment going to gold IRAs, but considering the status of the US and its dollar, more is acceptable.
Step 2: Choose a custodian and transfer or rollover your funds
Determine where the funds are coming from. A rollover from an existing IRA/401(k), or a transfer?
If you're going with a rollover, you get the funds from the original account and deposit them into the new account for your gold IRA investment with a custodian.
This NEEDS to be done within 60 days, or the IRS considers it a withdrawal, which means you are charged a 10% penalty if you're under the distribution age limit.
One rollover is allowed per year.
If you're doing a transfer, the money goes straight from the old account into the new one.
You can make as many transfers as you'd like.
You can do both a rollover and a transfer from a 401(k), a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or a 403(b) retirement plan.
Step 3: Make your purchase!
Don't make the mistake of going with a local dealer in your area who may not have the expertise to handle your account securely. We all want to support our local businesses, but in this case, small companies just don’t have the resources they need to do the best job. Go with a well-rounded, experienced, and proven-best gold IRA company like my first choice: Augusta Precious Metals.
This gets you lower markups, better quality service, and a better overall experience and investment.
The best gold investment companies in the USA are most likely not in your neighborhood, they are found online. Look for gold IRA companies that have great ratings, great client feedback, and a stellar reputation. One telling fact you can look for is how many complaints people have made (Augusta has absolutely zero).
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta is the leading provider of Gold and other precious metal IRAs. They offer exceptional customer service and diversification options for their clients.
Augusta Precious Metals- Why We Recommend Them
Augusta is the clear leading provider of gold IRAs and other precious metal IRAs, and they are the number one choice I recommend you reach out to.
Unlike other companies, they have never had a complaint with the BBB or BCA – in all the years they have been in business (since 2012).
It is obvious that they offer exceptional customer service (no pressure tactics), account lifetime support, the most transparent and competitive pricing, and some really helpful education options.
For example, the unique one-on-one web conference that was designed by their on-staff Harvard-trained economist. Other companies don’t give you the same kind of access to the same caliber of information.
I was seriously impressed that Joe Montana and his advisors decided to go with Augusta after checking out all other gold IRA companies.
I love that he signed up for the web conference anonymously, then liked the company mission so much that he wanted to not only become a customer but its ambassador.
You can’t argue with Augusta’s thousands of absolute top reviews (I could hardly find any that were not the highest you can get). They were named most trusted in the US and also “Best Of” by TrustLink for the last five years in a row.
I hope this article pointed you in the right direction to compare the top gold IRA investment companies while deciphering which is the best for you to invest in gold with.
Keep moving ahead with confidence – a gold IRA is a great option for many retirement investors who are concerned about the economy and want to find a way to protect their money.
Secure your savings and future with one of the longest-standing commodities of all time.
Conclusion: Is Investing in a Gold IRA Worth it?
Diversifying your portfolio has always been a good idea, but now more than ever, keeping all your assets in the US dollar is a surefire way to lose your purchasing power and the level of wealth you have today.
Inflation is higher than ever, and as of this writing, things have never looked worse for the United States dollar.
Do yourself a favor and take control of your hard-earned retirement. Don't let these politicians control the trajectory of your and your family's future.
Finding the best company to invest in gold with is the first part, but following through is necessary.
Get in contact with one of the best gold IRA investment companies on the market and secure your retirement today!
Secure Your Retirement with a Precious Metals IRA
Get in Touch
Peter@coralgold.com
1200 Brickell Ave, #320 Miami, FL 33131
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About Me - Peter Anderson
Thanks for stopping by.
I started this site in 1996 and have been investing for over 30 years. Now that my retirement is creeping up on me, I’m fully focused on securing my wealth. Inflation is extremely high, and we must protect ourselves and our families. Husband and father to two (big) kids and 5 beautiful grandkids.
