Top 10 Gold IRA Companies in 2021: Turn Your Hard-Earned $$$ into Gold and GROW IT Hassle-Free

admin_topgator

Last updated: Jan. 19, 2022

Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE…

You probably are familiar with these regular IRAs, for obvious reasons. They come with tax benefits you can’t wait to take advantage of, right?

But did you know there’s a better option – ‘em gold IRAs?

These precious-metal accounts are packed with the same tax benefits as the regular IRAs, but with some icing on the cake.

We’re not even kidding – you get to diversify your portfolio more, among other cool features, provided you’re utilizing a reputable gold IRA company.

But the question is…

How do you separate the wheat from the chaff, considering the market is flooded with every “Tom, Dick, and Harry” you can imagine?

Well, don’t worry.

We’ve got your back with our best top picks. And, yes, there’s something for everyone – from beginners to veterans and those in-between.

So, let’s do this – scroll down.

First Look

  1. Best pick overall – Augusta Precious Metals
  2. Complimentary coins galore – Patriot Gold Group
  3. Fastest-growing gold firm – Goldco Precious Metals
  4. Good for IRA rollovers – Regal Assets
  5. No-nonsense newbie in the room – Noble Gold Investments
  6. Competitive pricing – Orion Metal Exchange
  7. Most detailed free guide – American Hartford Gold
  8. Good range of coins – Birch Gold Group
  9. Home to beginners – Advantage Gold
  10. Knowledgeable founders – Gold Alliance

Reviews

Best for

Reviews

4.0 77 reviews

Best for

Augusta Precious Metals - Best Gold IRA Company Overall

Reviews

6 57 reviews

Best for

Patriot Gold Group - Best Gold IRA Company with Free Coins

Reviews

9 84 reviews

Best for

Goldco Precious Metals- Best Fastest-Growing Gold IRA Company

Reviews

7.5 60 reviews

Best for

Regal Assets- Best Gold IRA Company for IRA Rollovers

Reviews

6.0 45 reviews

Best for

Noble Gold Investments- Best New Gold IRA Company Around

Reviews

8.2 86 reviews

Best for

Orion Metal Exchange- Best Gold IRA Company with Competitive Pricing

Reviews

7.6 73 reviews

Best for

American Hartford Gold - Best Gold IRA Company with a Comprehensive Free Guide

Reviews

5.0 45 reviews

Best for

Birch Gold Group - Best Gold IRA Company with a Wide Variety of Coins

Reviews

7.9 75 reviews

Best for

Advantage Gold - Best Gold IRA Company for Beginners

Reviews

9.5 101 reviews

Best for

Gold Alliance - Best Gold IRA Company with Experienced Founders

Best Gold IRA Companies

1

Augusta Precious Metals - Best Gold IRA Company Overall

77 reviews

Seeking the best gold IRA company ever? Augusta Precious Metals couldn’t have a better seat for you. This reputable company opened its doors in 2012 and boasts a ton of satisfied customers.

Yeah, the gold firm scores highly on major consumer-ratings sites, including the Better Business Burea where it’s rated an impressive A+. You’ll also find their loaded learning center is an asset if you’re just getting your feet wet in the precious metals space.

But an area this platform really shines in is client support. Augusta Precious Metals prides itself on satisfying its customers thanks to its lifetime customer care. The highly-trained representatives here are more than willing to take your hand and lead you on in your gold investment journey.

Considering this is a top gold IRA company, we’re not surprised about the high account minimums they offer. Yet, they won’t charge you a thing (in storage fees) n your first year of purchasing gold with them.

Brilliant.

Also, while Augusta precious Metals won’t let you place an order online, they tick most of the right boxes, including offering a wide selection of coins and bars.

Pros


  • No first-year fees
  • Easy account set up
  • Comprehensive learning center
  • Lifetime support
  • In business since 2012

Cons


  • No small lots for gold coins and bars

Augusta Precious Metals - Best Gold IRA Company Overall

2

Patriot Gold Group - Best Gold IRA Company with Free Coins

57 reviews

And if you’re after some freebies, Patriot Gold Group is up for grabs. The gold firm is ready to give you up to $2,500 in free gold coins, provided you qualify for it. Attractive, right?

This reminds us that the 1986 gold IRA company boasts a reliable range of gold coins, including the most popular ones, for your pick

Like Augusta Precious Metals, this family-owned platform boasts high scores from leading consumer rating agencies. In other words, previous customers couldn’t be more satisfied with the services offered here.

And, now, look at this…

Because this is a dealer-direct company, you’re not going to shed any fees when purchasing your gold coins or bars. So, yes, it could help you save some $$$ in the long run, especially if you’re a regular buyer.

We know, this 1986 company has limited info on such things as fees, account minimums, etc. But feel free to drop them a line for more info on that. Good thing they have a competitive customer desk ready to tackle your concerns, whether you’re wanting gold coin recommendations or need help with something (anything).

Pros


  • Good range of gold options
  • Dealer-direct company
  • Free coins
  • Reliable customer feedback
  • In business for quite some time

Cons


  • Some vital info is available by request only

Patriot Gold Group - Best Gold IRA Company with Free Coins

3

Goldco Precious Metals - Best Fastest-Growing Gold IRA Company

84 reviews

Another top gold IRA company that helped make our list is Goldco Precious Metals –  for good reasons. One of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation, according to Inc. 5000, this platform boasts high ratings from the Better Business Bureau among other consumer-rating agencies.

The celeb endorsed company boasts a good range of gold options to choose from, which is a plus. It won’t be a problem transferring your retirement funds to your gold IRA, too, just in case, thanks to this platform’s IRA and 401(k) rollovers.

Your gold pieces are stored safely in various storage facilities, including the Delaware depository. And should you want to liquidate your assets, you’re covered with this firm’s reliable buyback program.

For the new kids on the block, Goldco Precious Metals has got you covered with an extensive educational center. From a ton of e-books to a decent list of videos and a blog full of investing topics, you have a whole load of resources to “school” you.

The free gold guide is the cherry on the cake.

You might want to reach out to this gold IRA firm for more info on account minimums, fees, storage, custodians, etc., though. Still, it’s no deal-breaker.

Pros


  • Stellar consumer-site ratings
  • Great buyback program
  • Various storage options
  • Reliable customer desk
  • First year is fees-free for qualified orders

Cons


  • No direct sales

Goldco Precious Metals- Best Fastest-Growing Gold IRA Company

4

Regal Assets - Best Gold IRA Company for IRA Rollovers

60 reviews

Let’s face it – IRA rollovers can be tricky if there;’s no specific expertise to tackle it. That’s where Regal Assets comes in. Not kidding, but 95% of this decade-old firm’s business is IRA rollovers. And, no, you’re not going to pay a dime for the whole thing.

Brilliant.

But that’s not all. This gold IRA company boasts flat service (and storage) fees. It won’t cost you an arm and leg, either, but it’s a generous $250 a year, affordable for even the lightly loaded investors.

A plus.

You also want to know that Regal Assets is endorsed by celebs (Laura Ingraham and Dennis Miller), as well as mainstream sites like Bloomberg, Forbes, and Inc. 500. This helps spell one word: TRUST. The AAA rating this platform has on Consumer Business Alliance is the cherry on the cake.

And when it comes to customer care, the firm’s specialists will walk you through every step from the moment you start the application process to the minute your gold pieces hit the storage facility, which couldn’t be secure enough.

We know, Regal assets won’t let you purchase your precious metal(s) online, but you can agree with us their upsides far outweigh this downside.

Pros


  • Stellar customer care
  • Good consumer rating
  • Celeb-endorsed
  • IRA rollovers available
  • Flat rate in storage and services fees

Cons


  • No online orders

Regal Assets- Best Gold IRA Company for IRA Rollovers

5

Noble Gold Investments - Best New Gold IRA Company Around

45 reviews

We know – Noble Gold Investments is fairly new in the precious metals space. But the brainwork behind the company is loaded with years of experience in the field. This probably explains why customers are satisfied, at least based on the high scores on consumer-rating sites.

Like most of our entries, this platform boasts a learning center with info on all things gold. This couldn’t be more helpful for the newbies in the game, who we’re sure will also immediately fall in love with the free informative gold kit.

And, yes, like key players in the industry, Noble Gold Investments offers the same rollover process if you’re wanting to switch your regular IRA to a gold IRA. So, don’t even worry about it.

To get started, you’ll have to ring or email them, something we think isn’t a deal-breaker, either, considering it should take you no more than five minutes to do what you do best. Y’know, grab ‘em gold coins – there’s s a good range of these here by the way.

Good thing Noble Gold Investments lets you liquidate your assets hassle-free thanks to their unmatched buy-back program.

Pros


  • Learning center
  • Buy-back program
  • Simple gold IRA set up
  • Free gold guide
  • Satisfactory consumer ratings

Cons


  • Relatively new (but with an experienced brainwork behind it)

Noble Gold Investments- Best New Gold IRA Company Around

6

Orion Metal Exchange - Best Gold IRA Company with Competitive Pricing

86 reviews

This 2017 firm has already earned the trust of its customers, probably because the brainwork behind it is bursting with decades of experience in the precious metals industry. Yes, Orion Metal Exchange is currently rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot, A+ on the Better Business Bureau, and an impressive 5 out of 5 stars on ConsumerAffairs.

Brilliant, eh?

But where this gold IRA company really shines in is their buy-back guarantee. Orion Metal Exchange understands that life happens and is more than willing to help you sell back your gold pieces hassle-free.

Your only job? Let them know.

They boast such a  competitive pricing system, too, and offer qualified accounts free storage for a cool three years.

Attractive.

It’s not gonna be a problem to roll over your regular IRA to a gold IRA here. Orion Metal Exchange will help you do it worry-free.

Some of their useful features include real-time market updates on gold prices so you’re not missing a thing. And their complimentary investor kit, which is a plus for the new kids on the block, is appreciated.

And, yes, all of these cool attributes, somehow, make up for the inability to make an order online.

Pros


  • Competitive pricing system
  • Great client support
  • Storage with any IRS-approved depository
  • Experienced founders
  • Free investor kit

Cons


  • No online orders

Orion Metal Exchange- Best Gold IRA Company with Competitive Pricing

7

American Hartford Gold - Best Gold IRA Company with a Comprehensive Free Guide

73 reviews

Whether you’re looking to invest in gold coins or bars, American Hartford Gold has got your back. This company is a favorite among gold investors, boasting high scores on major consumer-rating platforms, including the Better Business Bureau.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned or amateur investor, but American Hartford Gold is bursting with info (latest trends, historical perspectives, etc.) to help you make informed decisions in your gold investment journey.

They boast a staggering 25-page free gold guide, too, which couldn’t be more helpful in getting your feet wet in the game, assuming you’re a beginner.

And, nope, you’re not going to shed a buck in the way of fees in your first year of opening a gold IRA with them, if your account qualifies. This period can be extended to up to three years based on your portfolio. Make sure to find out if you’re eligible.

We should also mention that, with qualified personnel to hold your hand throughout the application process, opening an IRA at American Hartford Gold is a breeze.

Pros


  • 25-page gold guide
  • Customer satisfaction guarantee
  • Buyback guarantee
  • Low annual fees
  • Free storage available

Cons


  • Limited info on pricing

American Hartford Gold - Best Gold IRA Company with a Comprehensive Free Guide

8

Birch Gold Group - Best Gold IRA Company with a Wide Variety of Coins

45 reviews

And now look at this, a gold IRA firm with two decades doing business – you read that right. Birch Gold Group also scores highly on leading consumer-rating sites: A+ and AAA on the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance, respectively, to name but a few.

This company boasts a whopping 12 coin options for your pick, including American Buffalo Coin. Birch Gold Group does store your gold pieces securely, too, in one of their main storage facilities: Delaware Depository and Brink’s Global Services. Your custodian will help you choose between these two.

Don’t worry if you’re just getting started in the game. This gold IRA company boasts an education center that’s packed with just about everything you should know. This includes links to interviews with financial authorities (think Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Steve Forbes, etc.), interactive charts with trends in the value of gold, resources on physical and paper gold, etc.

Yes, almost a one-stop resourceful center for all of you newbies hungry for knowledge on all things gold

Like most of our entries, Birch Gold Group prides itself on its free gold investment kit, which is loaded with info, including the benefits of investing in gold so you’re not purchasing this precious metal blindly.

 

They care.

Pros


  • In business for quite some time
  • Convincing consumer ratings
  • A decent range of gold coins
  • Free investment kit
  • Learning center

Cons


  • Doesn’t operate outside the U.S.

Birch Gold Group - Best Gold IRA Company with a Wide Variety of Coins

9

Advantage Gold - Best Gold IRA Company for Beginners

75 reviews

Skeptical of investing in gold just because you don’t know how to go about it? Advantage Gold couldn’t offer you a better seat. They understand that someone’s got to start from somewhere.

Brilliant.

This probably explains why the 2014 firm boasts a resourceful virtual learning center bursting with webinars, workshops, charts, video lessons, you name it.

For you, the novice investor.

Cherry on the cake is their free investment book (The New Case of Gold) which is packed with a wealth of info, including how to “shield” your hard-earned money from inflation, diversify your portfolio accordingly, use gold coins to stay afloat during a recession, etc.

As if that’s not enough, Advantage Gold boasts a free guide, which you can download on their site.

Their experienced, dedicated team is more than willing to help set up a gold IRA for you. And, nope, they don’t stop here but go the extra mile to identify profitable gold coins for you – a plus. It shouldn’t be a problem switching your regular IRA to a gold IRA with this firm, too, just in case.

Listed by U.S Mint, Advantage Gold won’t charge you any storage fees for gold purchases worth $50,000+. Among other things, the company will buy back your gold pieces should you want to liquidate them. And, yes, you get a fair market price for it – no ripoffs here.

Pros


  • Free storage on purchases worth $50,000+
  • Learning center
  • Compettive client support
  • Free guide
  • Buy-back program

Cons


  • No direct online purchase

Advantage Gold - Best Gold IRA Company for Beginners

10

Gold Alliance - Best Gold IRA Company with Experienced Founders

101 reviews

Last but not least is this gold IRA firm that opened its doors in 2017. And no, it’s no mediocre – the brainwork behind it boasts a wealth of experience in the precious metals industry, probably explaining the impressive score (A+) by the Better Business Bureau.

For the new kids on the block, this company boasts solid educational resources. We’re referring to real-time charts to informative blog posts and news on all things gold here. Yeah, there’s a whole load of stuff to explore here.

And the free gold learning kit is a plus.

When it comes to liquidating your stuff, no need to worry. Gold Alliance offers a reliable buyback program so you can sell your assets whenever. Their (lifetime) client support couldn’t be handier here.

While they could be more transparent when it comes to pricing, Gold Alliance offers a wide range of IRA-approved gold coins and bars. This includes the most popular ones, such as Gold American Eagle, and, yes, they are stored safely in the renowned Delaware depository.

Pros


  • Buy-back program
  • Learning center
  • Convincing consumer ratings
  • Experienced founders
  • Solid range of coin options

Cons


  • Pricing could be more transparent

Gold Alliance - Best Gold IRA Company with Experienced Founders


Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a Gold IRA?

It’s similar to the regular IRA in terms of tax benefits, only it doesn’t deal with money but precious metals, including gold.

This self-directed retirement account (gold IRA) is also known as a precious metals IRA. Think silver, palladium, platinum, and of course, gold.

Do You Pay Tax on Gold?

Like art and antiques, gold and other precious metals are classified as collectibles. Meaning, you pay tax only if you make a profit.

How Is Gold Taxed In an IRA?

Gold is taxed in an IRA once you’ve cashed it out. It’s taxed using a marginal tax rate, just like ordinary income. Gold IRAs attract additional taxes (and fees), though. This includes a 10% penalty on any gold cashed out before you (the account owner) are aged 60.

How Do You Transfer a Regular IRA to a Gold IRA?

Switching an existing IRA to a gold IRA is as easy as 1, 2, 3… Get starting by informing your existing IRA administrator about it. Next, fill out some paperwork and wait for the administrator to do their thing – wire the funds to your gold IRA.

Then, bingo! You’re all set.

Why Switch a Standard IRA into a Gold IRA?

While both accounts boast special tax benefits, a gold IRA comes with added benefits. It helps diversify your portfolio, shield your hard-earned $$$ from inflation and grow your investment.

Where Can You Open a Gold IRA?

You can open a gold IRA with any of our top picks. All of these are reputable gold IRA companies, and some have stood the test of time.

We assessed our entries based on key metrics, including experience, cost, product selection, etc. So, feel free to hop onto one and get the ball rolling.


How Much Gold Can You Legally Own?

Luckily, there’s no limit on how much gold bullion an individual can acquire and own. There are no laws prohibiting anyone from buying as much gold bullion as possible. You can hold as much gold bullion as you can afford and purchase.

As much as you can afford. Good news, eh? You’re not restricted by law from purchasing as much gold as you want (at least at the time of this writing).


Conclusion - Are Gold IRA Companies Worth the Hype?

We think so – they are a better alternative to regular IRAs, like you may have already seen. In fact, gold has, more often than not, increased in value over time and can give you a cool return on your investment.

We’ve done the legwork for you, listing the most trusted gold IRA companies you can get started with hassle-free.

So what are you waiting for? Switch your standard IRA into a gold IRA, and thank us later.

Good luck!

Jump to: