What are the best gold IRA companies you can recommend?

[Ben Daugherty]

Hi. I’m thinking about rolling over my 401(k) into a gold IRA. Has anyone here dealt with companies that offer precious metals IRAs? I’d really appreciate any advice, especially since I’ve heard there are a lot of scams out there, which makes the whole process feel risky. Has anyone switched their IRA or 401(k) to gold? If so, could you recommend some of the top gold IRA companies available right now? Thanks in advance!

 

[Rookie Investor]

I haven't invested myself yet, but according to my research, American Hartford Gold (https://www.americanhartfordgold.com) is one of the most popular gold investment companies that offers some of the lowest fees. Just be really careful when dealing with precious metals, especially with dealers who push high-priced, collectible coins with big markups. Make sure you know which metals are actually allowed in an IRA and watch out for hidden fees. Always compare prices and fees before making any purchases, and double-check all the details. It’s also a good idea to spend some time reading gold IRA reviews and complaints on BBB (Better Business Bureau) website.

 

[Johan De Silva]

I recently withdrew part of my retirement funds and bought some gold bars and coins (outside of my IRA). It’s been a pretty good decision so far since gold prices have increased. But keep in mind that gold can be unpredictable in the short term, so make sure you’re aware of the investment risks.

 

[Robin Bowen]

Noble Gold is the best gold IRA company in my opinion. I wanted to switch my 401(k) over to a self-directed gold IRA, and they made the entire experience really smooth. They walked me through each step and explained how the gold IRA rollover worked, so I felt fully informed. Noble Gold has a lower gold spread (markup) than any other popular gold investment company I've looked into, and they're totally upfront about the price of their precious metals.

 

[Marin C]

I’m thinking about rolling over my 401(k) into a gold IRA.

Even though gold is generally seen as a stable asset, you should know that it doesn't provide income through dividends or interest like some other investments do. I'd recommend you to chat with a financial advisor to get some personalized advice before making a big decision like this.

 

[Ben Daugherty]

I'd recommend you to chat with a financial advisor to get some personalized advice before making a big decision like this.

Thank you! I did talk to a financial planner before, and they advised me to keep gold investments to a small percentage of my total portfolio, so I’m not putting all my money into a gold IRA account.

 

[D Bergman]

I rolled over my 401(k) to a gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals in November 2021, and I'm satisfied. The price of gold has increased by approximately $939 per ounce, which is about 52% since the time of my investment.

However, I almost got scammed by another company called Regal Assets back before I found Augusta. You can read about those scammers here: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/8791-23. One important lesson I learned is to read the fine print carefully, as some companies like Regal Assets have hidden fees or penalties for early withdrawal.

 

[Lex Further]

However, I almost got scammed by another company called Regal Assets back before I found Augusta.

Regal Assets is not the only scam company out there. Red Rock Secured has recently been charged with defrauding retirement account holders in a $50 million scheme. Red Rock Secured was charging 130% markups on the gold they sold and defrauded over 700 investors. I’m glad the SEC is taking action against these companies because they’re giving the gold IRA market a bad reputation and casting a shadow over the entire industry.

If you’re worried about getting scammed, there’s a really informative gold IRA scams guide from Noble Gold Investments that you can download for free. It has all the red flags and covers the most common tactics fraudsters use, so you’ll know exactly what to watch out for.

 

[Steve Towey]

I can attest to @Robin Bowen's words and confidently say that Noble Gold Investments is one of the best gold IRA companies for moving your retirement funds into a gold IRA. I was initially hesitant to transfer my IRA into physical precious metals because the process seemed overwhelming, and I feared incurring fines from the IRS. However, Noble Gold made the entire process easy and stress-free, guiding me through every step.

After researching and consulting multiple companies, I'm really glad I chose Noble. They offer only physical gold bullion, not collectible coins, and have the lowest fees in the industry. I also never felt pressured into buying anything I didn't want. On the contrary, they were patient and educated me on precious metals, IRS rules, and taxes. I guess the fact that Noble is featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Fox News, and Investopedia speaks volumes about the company's ethics and professionalism.

 

[Melinda Reese]

I decided to invest with Birch Gold Group two years ago. This company specializes in gold IRAs and offers professional guidance in purchasing IRS-approved precious metals. Opening an account with Equity Trust Company (one of the two available gold IRA custodians with which Birch Gold is partnered) was really easy. I was able to move funds and purchase gold without any taxes, and Birch employees were really helpful from start to finish.

 

[Value Vanguard]

I can't really recommend any specific companies because all of them have their pros and cons. But if you want to check a company's reputation, my advice is to read gold IRA reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is a place where you can find real customer complaints and learn if a company has any ongoing legal issues.

 

[OH_Innovator]

FYI: If you're a current employee under the age of 59½, rolling over your 401(k) is not an option. You become eligible for a precious metals IRA rollover once you either leave your job or reach the age of 59½. Until that point, your contributions (referred to as elective deferrals as per IRS) are legally restricted from being distributed or rolled over: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plan...-plan-participants-general-distribution-rules

 

[Ian Eccles]

Gold seems like a smart choice to hedge against the market uncertainty we're facing amid trade wars and Trump's tariffs. I’ve been considering investing in gold for a few months now and have researched some of the top gold IRA companies for myself, so perhaps someone else might find this helpful. Please like and share if you think this is useful.

1. Augusta Precious Metals (https://www.augustapreciousmetals.com/)

It's one of the most popular companies on the market. It's known for its top-notch customer service and investor education before and after investment. I've talked to customer service on multiple occasions, and they seemed very friendly and knowledgeable. They informed me about the risks of investing in gold, as well as the benefits, and I didn't feel pressured to open an account, which is nice.

Founded in 2012, they store metals at Delaware Depository. Augusta Precious Metals has an A+ BBB rating, 4.8 on TrustPilot, and thousands of positive reviews. There are zero to no complaints. BUT the biggest issue with this company is that it has a $50,000 investment minimum. Augusta Precious Metals doesn't work with customers who don’t meet this minimum.

Pros:

• The company does a lot to inform investors about the gold market. Their site’s packed with helpful videos and blog posts.
• They might waive fees for up to 10 years for qualified accounts.
• There is a free one-on-one web conference with a Harvard-trained economist for prospective investors, where you can ask any questions about the company, state of the market, and investment process.

Cons:

• I think that $50,000 investment minimum is a big hurdle for most people. If you don't have that amount to invest in gold, or if you want to start with a smaller investment, this company is not right for you.

2. Goldco (https://goldco.com/)

Goldco is another popular gold investment company and one of the most prominent competitors to Augusta Precious Metals. It was founded in 2006, and they use Brink’s and Delaware Depository. The company has been awarded an A+ BBB rating and 4.8 on TrustPilot. Customer support was quick to answer all my questions and was very patient with me, explaining everything in detail.

Just like with Augusta, I didn't feel any pressure to open an account or buy anything. The company's representatives were easy to talk to, and the contact with the company left a great impression. The biggest plus of opening a gold IRA with this company is that it doesn't have an investment minimum, so you can invest with them no matter your portfolio size.

Pros:

• Amazing customer service, with many happy reviews on BBB and TrustPilot.
• No minimum order, and they support diverse investments.
• Goldco has a buyback program, so you can liquidate your precious metals to them at the best possible price when you need the money.

Cons:

• Fee information is scarce online. I’d need to dig for specifics, which isn’t ideal.

3. American Hartford Gold (https://www.americanhartfordgold.com/)

American Hartford Gold is another trusted gold dealer and investment company. They use Equity Trust and offer flexible storage options. The company has an A+ BBB rating and 4.7 on TrustPilot. This company has the lowest markup on gold, but there is a $25,000 investment minimum.

Customer service was helpful and nice, but I felt a little bit pressured into opening an account. They called me multiple times when I was on vacation with my family and sent a bunch of emails. Not necessarily a bad sign, but that was a sharp difference compared to my experience with Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco.

Pros:

• No setup fees
• Low minimum ($10,000 for IRAs, $5,000 for non-IRAs)
• They often waive storage fees for a few years
• Lots of custodian/storage

Cons:

• Aggressive sales tactics

4. Birch Gold Group (https://www.birchgold.com/)

The company has been around since 2003, with a $10,000 purchase minimum. It has a good reputation: A+ BBB, AAA BCA, but seems lesser known than competitors.

Pros:

• Fees are upfront online—super rare!
• You choose your custodian (Equity or STRATA) and storage (Delaware or Brink’s).
• Flat-rate fees suit bigger accounts.

Cons:

• Setup can take a month, which feels slow with tariffs looming.
• Flat fees aren’t great for small investments.
• Lower TrustPilot score (4.4).

Some other companies that I have talked to but decided not to include in this list:

• Thor Metals Group: Very few reviews; seems like a very new company.
• Patriot Gold Group: Scare tactics didn't sit right with me.
• American Coin Co.: Legal mess after rebranding.
• Silver Gold Bull: Not enough IRA-specific info; not very helpful customer support.
• Lear Capital: Too many complaints and lawsuits, definitely a company to avoid.
• Noble Gold Investments: Quite aggressive marketing and sales.