IRA Financial Review 2026

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IRA Financial review: Our take – IRA Financial offers a broad choice of assets, advanced IRA structures, and predictable fees. However, some plans carry high setup and maintenance costs.

Self-Directed IRA

• Diverse investments
• Variety of account types
• Clear fee structure

• Complex setup
• High fees for some plans

Investable assets	Precious metals, real estate, crypto, investment funds, private placements, tax liens and deeds
Investment minimum	None
Annual fee	Differs by account type
Other fees	Setup, activity, and enhancement fees
Account types	Individual and business

IRA Financial helps individuals and businesses invest in alternative assets like precious metals, crypto, and real estate. Founded in 2010, it currently serves around 25,000 clients nationwide. The company targets investors who want maximum flexibility and control over their retirement funds.

Keep reading our IRA Financial review to discover more about this self-directed IRA provider.

How IRA Financial works

Clients who set up an account with IRA Financial can invest in a range of assets beyond the traditional stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. These include:

• Precious metals
• Crypto
• Real estate
• Tax liens or deeds
• Private companies
• Investment funds

Accounts for private investors

Self-directed IRA

Flexible and diverse, IRA Financial’s SDIRA is the default plan for individual investors. This tax-advantaged account allows you to build a portfolio based on your preferred non-standard assets, like cryptocurrency, gold, private equity, and even tax liens.

Checkbook IRA

Checkbook IRA is a self-directed IRA that works through an LLC. Basically, your IRA owns the LLC, which can then invest in precious metals, crypto, real estate, and other IRS-approved assets.

The main advantages of this setup over a standard SDIRA are speed and control. As the LLC manager, you can move money and approve investments through the LLC’s bank account directly, without waiting for the custodian’s approval every time. It can also lower costs, since you don’t have to pay custodian fees for every transaction.

Nevertheless, Checkbook IRA accounts still work under custodian oversight and must follow all IRS rules, like restrictions against mixing personal and IRA funds.

Self-directed HSA

Like other self-directed accounts, a self-directed health savings account (HSA) lets you invest in a wide range of assets. Contributions to IRA Financial’s self-directed HSAs are deductible, and earnings grow tax-free. Withdrawals for eligible medical expenses are also tax-free.

Self-directed Coverdell

The self-directed Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) helps you grow your child’s education fund by investing in nonstandard assets. While contributions to this ESA aren’t tax-deductible, earnings are free from tax, as are qualifying education expenses. These typically include tuition, learning materials, housing, and accommodations for students with disabilities.

These accounts allow annual contributions of up to $2,000 per child. You must use the funds by the time the child turns 30.

IRAfi Crypto

IRAfi Crypto is IRA Financial’s proprietary platform that allows clients to invest in crypto directly through their IRAs, without working through a broker or an LLC. You can choose from more than 45 cryptocurrencies. The platform partners with Bitstamp, a trusted crypto exchange. The per-transaction fee is 1%, which is standard for the industry.

Accounts for businesses

Solo 401(k)

IRA Financial’s Solo 401(k) is a plan designed for freelancers and small business owners with no full-time employees. It allows both employer and employee contributions, which means much higher annual limits than most retirement plans. The account includes a Roth option.

Unlike IRAs, a Solo 401(k) lets you borrow up to $50,000, with no taxes or penalties when repaid on schedule. This is a major advantage if you need short-term liquidity.

ROBS 401(k)

Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) by IRA Financial allows investors to use their IRA or 401(k) funds to finance a company with no early withdrawal taxes or penalties.

It works like this: You start a C-Corp, which then sets up a 401(k) plan, into which you roll over your retirement funds. The 401(k) purchases company shares, which gives the C-Corp cash to fund the business.

This setup is a tax-advantaged way to fund your venture and generate income, but it’s crucial to keep it IRS-compliant. Since it’s a complex, highly regulated structure, investors who use it may benefit from professional guidance.

SEP IRA

With a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, employers can make tax‑deductible contributions to their own and eligible employees’ IRAs. The maximum contribution is 25% of the employee’s pay, or $70,000, whichever is lower. This plan is a good fit for small business owners.

Investors can choose between two account setups: Custodian Control or Checkbook Control. Checkbook Control is more flexible, since you act as your own trustee. However, it includes a $999 setup fee.

SIMPLE IRA

Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) works best for businesses with up to 100 employees. Both employers and employees can contribute, making it simple and cost-effective. The employee limit is currently $16,000. Employers match these contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary or provide 2% for all eligible employees.

Like SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs allow either Custodian Control or Checkbook Control.

IRA Financial fees

IRA Financial charges are as follows.

• Setup fees: $0 for most individual plans, $999 and up for more complex plans
• Annual fees: From $120 for HSAs to $1,200 for ROBS
• Activity fees: IRA compliance, crypto transactions, expedited processing, and more
• Premium account enhancements, like LLC amendment and additional LLC formations

See more details on IRA Financial’s General Fee Schedule.

In our opinion, the fees seem reasonable and predictable, but investors with simpler needs may be able to find more affordable providers.

Is IRA Financial legit?

IRA Financial is a reputable, BBB-accredited self-directed IRA custodian regulated through the South Dakota Division of Banking. Capital One holds the retirement funds, and accounts receive the standard FDIC protection up to $250,000.

IRA Financial scores 4.7/5 on Trustpilot, with many clients praising the company’s transparency and ease of setup. For example, Brad writes:

…the ROBS 401(k) process seemed daunting… IRA Financial made it smooth and relatively easy to navigate. They clearly outlined all costs upfront, and everything matched exactly what was explained.

Should you invest with IRA Financial?

Setting up an account through IRA Financial may be a good idea if you:

• Value the freedom and flexibility to invest in a variety of nontraditional assets
• Prefer IRA options with more direct control, like an IRA that works through an LLC
• Need extra assurance for compliance with IRS rules, like IRA Financial offers through its IRA Compliance Shield plan

On the other hand, this custodian may be less suitable for those who:

• Prefer more traditional assets, like stocks and bonds, for their IRA
• Need more detailed advice and guidance in managing their account

Alternatives

If you’re considering an IRA that invests in nontraditional assets like crypto, gold, or real estate but still aren’t sure after reading this IRA Financial review that it’s the right company for you, here’s how it stacks up against several other top-tier IRA providers:

IRA Financial vs. iTrustCapital

iTrustCapital is a crypto-first IRA provider that also allows investing in gold and silver. While its asset variety is smaller than IRA Financial’s, it’s a first-rate company with no startup, annual, or transfer costs. Its simplicity and low fee structure make it a fantastic choice for beginner investors.

IRA Financial vs. Alto CryptoIRA

With more than 250 crypto coins to choose from, Alto CryptoIRA caters to those who want a self-directed IRA based on digital assets. The company also supports investments in other assets, such as startups, real estate, and private equity, but crypto remains its main focus. Alto CryptoIRA charges no setup or annual fees, making it appear more affordable than IRA Financial.

IRA Financial vs. Equity Trust Company

Equity Trust Company is one of the oldest SDIRA custodians. It offers a broad range of investments, including precious metals, real estate, crypto, futures, and conventional stocks and bonds. Unlike IRA Financial’s flat fees, Equity Trust Company uses a tiered fee structure with higher costs for larger accounts, making it more expensive as investments grow.

Recap of our IRA Financial Review

IRA Financial is an SDIRA provider built for those who value flexibility and control. It stands out thanks to its variety of supported assets and tailored IRA plans. While some companies offer easier setup and lower fees, IRA Financial is a great fit for confident investors.

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