Some companies below pay us a commission if you sign up. We rank by fit and transparency, not by payout — and we explicitly include companies we have no affiliate relationship with. Full disclosure. How we score.
Rankings · May 2026
Every Gold IRA company we’ve analyzed, ranked.
17 companies, scored on a 100-point transparency rubric. Two are explicitly flagged to avoid — with citations. Updated quarterly.
Companies to avoid
Listed here so anyone searching these names finds an honest warning. Sources cited inline.
Oxford Gold Group
AVOIDDEFUNCT 2024 — abandoned customers, BBB accreditation revoked, website shuttered.
Red Rock Secured / American Coin Co.
AVOIDSEC FRAUD JUDGMENT 2024 — $76.4M penalty for retiree-targeted markup scheme.
Best-in-class on transparency, fees, and trust signals.
Orion Metal Exchange
86/100 · Top tierPrice-performance leader. Should be on every shortlist.
Birch Gold Group
85/100 · Top tierBest for four-metal portfolios or smaller starting investments.
Solid across most dimensions with minor caveats.
Augusta Precious Metals
84/100 · StrongBest-in-class transparency, zero sales pressure. $50K minimum is the friction.
Noble Gold Investments
84/100 · StrongHidden gem. Transparent pricing + four metals + segregated storage.
Monetary Gold
82/100 · StrongEstablished veteran with low minimum and four-metal coverage. Underrated.
Allegiance Gold
81/100 · StrongQuietly excellent customer experience. Worth a shortlist spot.
American Hartford Gold
80/100 · StrongMost accessible top-tier option. Lower minimum + frequent fee waivers.
Advantage Gold
78/100 · StrongStrong sleeper pick. Trustpilot volume validates the customer experience.
Lear Capital
75/100 · StrongLong-running player; improved transparency post-2022 bankruptcy.
Preserve Gold
75/100 · StrongPromising newer entrant. Watch reputation as the company matures.
Goldco
74/100 · StrongSolid mid-market choice. Watch promotional pricing + aggressive sales calls.
Priority Gold
74/100 · StrongSolid choice for high-income earners; East Coast presence is a differentiator.
Rosland Capital
70/100 · StrongOnly choice for $2K minimum, but trade-off in spread + service.
Acceptable but with notable trade-offs. Compare carefully.
Patriot Gold Group
69/100 · Decent with caveatsDesigned for high-net-worth ($250K+) buyers — lifetime fee waiver is the differentiator.
Regal Assets
65/100 · Decent with caveatsOperational status uncertain post-2023. Verify before recommending.
How we score
100-point rubric across nine components. Every company is scored on the same dimensions, every quarter, with sources we can show you. Read the full methodology.
Fee transparency
Fees published on company website (no sales call required)
Spread over melt
Lower is better. Industry normal: 5-10%. Predatory: 25%+
BBB rating
A+ accredited gets full credit
Trustpilot
Star rating × volume — 4.5+ stars with 1000+ reviews = full credit
Years in business
15+ years = full credit
Minimum accessibility
Lower minimum = more accessible to more buyers
Metals breadth
All 4 metals (gold/silver/platinum/palladium) = full credit
Sales pressure
Inversely scored. No follow-up cycle = full credit
Buyback transparency
Published buyback policy = full credit
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