National Gold Group is our top pick among the best gold IRA companies for Americans who want pricing and fees explained before they buy, with lifetime service and a no-fee buyback guarantee. Below, we compare six well-known options for Americans 55 and older who are thinking about moving part of a 401(k), IRA or TSP into physical metals.

Interest in Gold IRAs tends to rise when people feel uneasy about the economy. The US Treasury’s final statement for fiscal 2026 put the federal deficit at $1.992 trillion, and many retirees are asking how to spread risk across more than stocks and bonds. A Gold IRA is one way to do that. It also comes with its own costs and risks, so the company you pick matters.

What is a Gold IRA?

A Gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds physical, IRS-approved precious metals instead of (or alongside) stocks, bonds and funds. Three parties are involved: a self-directed IRA custodian that administers the account, an approved depository that stores the metal, and a dealer that sells the metals.

IRS rules generally bar collectibles from IRAs, but there are exceptions for certain US gold coins, one-ounce silver coins minted by the Treasury, certain platinum coins and qualifying gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion. IRA metals must sit in the depository. You can’t keep them at home. Picking the right dealer will help you get the best metals for your Gold IRA.

Quick comparison of the best Gold IRA companies

Company	Best for	Stated minimum	Published fee info	Metals	BBB	Trustpilot
National Gold Group	Best overall	$10,000	$0 IRA setup; annual fees vary	Gold, silver, platinum, palladium	A+	4.8, 56 reviews
Augusta Precious Metals	Larger accounts	$50,000	Says fees and spread are provided in writing	Gold, silver	A+	4.8, 377 reviews
Goldco	Flexible purchase options	$25,000	About $225 yearly once established	Gold, silver	A+	4.4, 1,796 reviews
American Hartford Gold	Mid-size accounts	$10,000	Storage fees vary; may be free in some cases	Gold, silver, platinum	A+	4.9, 1,955 reviews
Birch Gold Group	Lowest minimum	$5,000	Typical yearly fees stated as $235	Gold, silver, platinum, palladium	A+	4.8, 349 reviews
Noble Gold Investments	Fee transparency	$20,000	$125 maintenance and $160 storage yearly	Gold, silver, platinum, palladium coins	A+	4.9, 799 reviews

How we ranked these companies

We looked at six things: how clearly each company explains pricing and fees, buyback terms, stated minimums, which metals it offers, how much help it gives with the rollover, and third-party ratings. All figures come from each company’s own pages, the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, checked November 9, 2026. For National Gold Group we also combined Google, ConsumerAffairs and Trustpilot scores into a review-count-weighted average. BBB ratings and online reviews can be useful reference points, but reviews are self-selected and neither ratings nor reviews guarantee an experience or outcome.

The best gold IRA companies in 2026

1. National Gold Group: Best overall

National Gold Group homepage (nationalgoldgroup.com), captured November 9, 2026.

National Gold Group is a precious metals dealer headquartered in Kailua, Hawaii, with an office in Los Angeles, California, and with family roots in the coin business. The founder’s father ran a Las Vegas coin shop from the early 1960s, and the founder spent nearly two decades in finance and at larger gold companies before starting the business in 2021. In fact, the founder, David Morenfeld, was part of the team that helped develop and bring to market the streamlined process that connects all the moving parts of investing in a Gold IRA. 

National Gold Group offers Precious Metals IRAs and direct purchases. What sets it apart is a proprietary live pricing system set up with the five largest wholesalers in America, which helps ensure clients get the best value for their money, with transaction costs laid out before anything is bought. They take an education-first approach to working with their clients, offering no-pressure consultations that clearly explain options and how the whole process works from start to finish. That suits investors who want to understand exactly what they’re paying before they move retirement money.

Why it ranks #1

• Its own software pulls live prices from the five largest US precious metals wholesalers every few minutes, which helps ensure clients get the best value for their money.
• It states that setup fees for precious metals IRAs are $0 and buying and selling transaction costs are disclosed upfront.
• It offers a lifetime no-fee buyback guarantee on any metals bought through the company.
• Across Google, ConsumerAffairs and Trustpilot it averages 4.96/5 from 259 reviews (Google 5.0 from 116, ConsumerAffairs 5.0 from 87, Trustpilot 4.8 from 56).
• Its in-house IRA team handles the rollover or transfer call with your current custodian, so you aren’t left to sort out the paperwork alone.

Key features

• Traditional, Roth and SEP precious metals IRAs are available, along with direct purchases.
• It supports rollovers or transfers from an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), TSP, and other qualifying retirement accounts.
• IRA holdings can include IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
• It lists Delaware Depository Service Company, Texas Precious Metals Depository and International Depository Services.

Fees and minimums

• Precious metals IRA setup fees are stated as $0.
• Annual storage and account fees are billed by the custodian or depository and vary by storage type, metal mix and account size.
• Qualifying IRA accounts can get a lifetime storage fee waiver. Ask the company whether your account qualifies.
• Stated minimum investment: $10,000.

Things to know

• It started in 2021, so it has a shorter track record than older rivals, and its Trustpilot base (56 reviews) is smaller on its own than rivals with thousands of reviews.
• Its full annual fee schedule is not published online, so ask for it in writing. Clients state in their online reviews that the company is very transparent about all fees upfront. 

2. Augusta Precious Metals: Best for larger accounts

Augusta Precious Metals homepage (augustapreciousmetals.com), captured November 9, 2026.

Augusta Precious Metals, founded in 2012, focuses on gold and silver IRAs and leans heavily on education. Savers with $100,000 or more can join a one-on-one web conference designed by Devlyn Steele, its Director of Education. It works with Equity Trust Company as its preferred custodian and stores metals at Delaware Depository.

Key features

• It says fees are put in writing and the spread is explained before purchase.
• It offers a 24-hour cancellation window if you find a better offer.
• Its stated preferred custodian is Equity Trust Company.

Fees and minimums

• Stated minimum investment: $50,000.
• Its page gives industry-typical custodian fees of $75 to $150 per year.
• Its page gives industry-typical storage fees of $100 to $150 per year.

Things to know

• The $50,000 minimum is the highest in this list.
• The fee ranges on its page are described as industry typical, so ask for Augusta’s own schedule in writing.

3. Goldco: Best for flexible purchase options

Goldco homepage (goldco.com), captured November 9, 2026.

Goldco, a gold and silver dealer based in Calabasas, California, publishes unusually specific cost estimates. It says many of its IRA fees are flat, so they don’t grow as the account grows, and it puts the typical yearly total at about $225 once the account is set up. It generally asks for $25,000 to open a gold IRA and offers direct cash purchases for smaller budgets.

Key features

• It offers a buyback program if your circumstances change.
• It offers direct cash purchases for delivery.

Fees and minimums

• General stated gold IRA minimum: $25,000.
• Expected yearly fees once established: about $225.
• Expected first-year fees including setup: about $275 to $325.

Things to know

• Its fee figures are estimates, so confirm the current schedule in writing.
• Its 4.4 Trustpilot score is the lowest in this group, though it comes from a large base of 1,796 reviews.

4. American Hartford Gold: Best for mid-size accounts

American Hartford Gold homepage (americanhartfordgold.com), captured November 9, 2026.

American Hartford Gold was founded in Los Angeles in 2015 and says it has delivered more than $4 billion in precious metals. Its $10,000 minimum order makes it reachable for mid-sized accounts, and it has the largest Trustpilot review base in this list (1,955 reviews, 4.9 stars). It uses Equity Trust Company for custodial services and prefers Brinks Global Services and Delaware Depository for storage.

Key features

• It states a buyback commitment with zero liquidation fees.
• Orders are shipped free with insurance and tracking.
• It names Equity Trust Company for custodial services.

Fees and minimums

• Stated self-directed Gold IRA minimum order: $10,000.
• Storage fees vary by account size and holdings.
• Storage may be free depending on the situation.

Things to know

• It doesn’t publish a fixed storage price, so ask how storage charges apply to your account size and holdings.
• The company recommends holding precious metals for five to ten years, which tells you it sees them as a long-term holding.

5. Birch Gold Group: Best for lowest minimum

Birch Gold Group homepage (birchgold.com), captured November 9, 2026.

Birch Gold Group, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, has the lowest stated minimum here at $5,000. It also publishes a sample fee schedule from the custodian most of its customers use, which makes cost comparisons easier. IRAs are available for all four IRS-approved metals, with five depository choices.

Key features

• It offers IRAs for gold, silver, platinum and palladium, including a Gold Roth IRA.
• Listed depositories include Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services, IDS, Texas Precious Metals Depository and Texas Bullion Depository.
• It says it pays first-year fees on new accounts over $50,000.

Fees and minimums

• Stated IRA minimum: $5,000, which can vary with market conditions.
• Typical listed charges are $50 setup, $30 wire, $110 storage and insurance, and $125 management.
• It states typical yearly flat fees of $235.

Things to know

• The $5,000 minimum can change with market conditions and product availability.
• The $235 yearly figure is typical, not fixed, and depends on the custodian and depository you pick.

6. Noble Gold Investments: Best for fee transparency

Noble Gold Investments homepage (noblegoldinvestments.com), captured November 9, 2026.

Noble Gold Investments publishes a detailed fee table that runs from setup through account closure. It advertises a flat annual fee and says it has helped Americans safeguard more than $2.5 billion in wealth. Its Gold and Silver IRA starts at $20,000.

Key features

• It offers a Gold and Silver IRA plus cash purchases with home delivery.
• It sells gold, silver, platinum and palladium coins.
• It advertises a flat annual fee that doesn’t rise with account value.

Fees and minimums

• Gold and Silver IRA minimum: $20,000.
• One-time fees listed are $50 setup and $30 wire.
• Annual fees listed are $125 account maintenance and $160 metals storage.
• It also lists $75 for an in-kind distribution and $250 for account closure.

Things to know

• Annual costs add up to $285 before any dealer markup, and closing the account costs $250, so factor exit costs into your math.
• Cash purchases for home delivery have a separate $10,000 minimum.

Gold IRA fees: what to compare

Fees are where gold IRA companies differ most, and the biggest cost often isn’t on the fee sheet. Start with the dealer’s spread or markup: the gap between what you pay for the metal and what you’d get if you sold it back the same day. Then compare setup charges, annual custodian fees and storage fees. Storage can be segregated or commingled, and segregated storage usually costs more than commingled storage. Also ask about wire fees, in-kind distribution fees and account closure charges. A company may describe a fee as waived or covered in some situations, so confirm the qualification and duration in writing.

Risks and IRS rules to know

Gold and other precious metals are highly volatile. Past performance is not a good predictor of future returns, and premiums, commissions and fees can reduce any profit. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) also warns consumers to be wary of doom-and-gloom pitches and high-pressure sales tactics. A reputable company will give you time to compare written terms. Gold also pays no interest or dividends, so its role in a portfolio is diversification, not income.

For IRA rules, collectibles generally are not allowed, though the IRS provides exceptions for certain US coins and qualifying bullion. A 60-day IRA-to-IRA rollover is limited to one in any 12-month period across IRAs. Trustee-to-trustee transfers are not limited in that way. For 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up contribution for people age 50 or older. That limit does not apply to rollover contributions. Tax treatment depends on the account and applicable IRS rules, so ask a qualified tax professional about your situation.

How to choose a Gold IRA company

1. Confirm whether the stated minimum fits the amount you are considering, and ask if it can change. Some companies will work with clients under their stated minimum.
2. Request the full written schedule for markups, setup, custodian, storage, wire, distribution and closure charges.
3. Check which metals, custodians and depositories the company identifies for its IRA program.
4. Ask how the rollover or transfer process works, including who contacts the current custodian, and how long it takes.
5. Read third-party ratings and reviews as one input, then confirm terms in writing before moving retirement money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum to open a Gold IRA?

Published IRA minimums in this comparison are $50,000 for Augusta Precious Metals, $25,000 for Goldco, $10,000 for National Gold Group and American Hartford Gold, $5,000 for Birch Gold Group and $20,000 for Noble Gold Investments.

Can I move my 401(k) or TSP into a Gold IRA?

Usually, yes, if your plan allows it. Funds from a 401(k), 403(b), TSP or existing IRA can typically be rolled over or transferred into a self-directed gold IRA, and several companies here, including National Gold Group, help with that step. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids the one-per-year limit that applies to 60-day IRA rollovers. Check your plan’s rules and talk to a tax professional before moving funds.

Can I keep IRA gold at home?

No. IRA metals must be held by a qualified custodian at an approved depository. Common choices among the companies here include Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services, International Depository Services and Texas Precious Metals Depository. If you want metal at home, that’s a direct purchase outside an IRA, with no IRA tax treatment.

What fees does a Gold IRA charge?

Costs to compare include the dealer markup or spread, setup fee, annual custodian fee, storage fee, wire fee and closure fee. Published examples in this comparison include National Gold Group’s stated $0 IRA setup fee, Birch Gold Group’s stated $235 typical yearly fees, and Noble Gold Investments’ listed $125 annual maintenance and $160 annual metals storage charges.

Which Gold IRA company has the lowest minimum?

Among the published IRA minimums in this comparison, Birch Gold Group lists $5,000. National Gold Group and American Hartford Gold list $10,000, Noble Gold Investments lists $20,000, Goldco generally requires $25,000 and Augusta Precious Metals lists $50,000.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and isn't investment, tax or legal advice. Precious metals can lose value and aren't suitable for everyone. Ratings, minimums and fees were checked on November 9, 2026 and can change; confirm current terms in writing with any company and talk to a licensed financial or tax professional before moving retirement money.