4 Best Gold IRA Companies: Compare & Review Accounts

Opening a gold IRA requires forethought and planning. Choosing a gold IRA company demands just as much intention. The best gold IRA companies are steeped in industry knowledge. They understand long-term retirement strategy and IRS regulations in and out.

Ideally, the gold IRA company you choose will go a step further, offering constant support and investor-friendly features like buy-back guarantees. The companies we’ve selected here meet all these criteria and more.

Reviews of the 4 best gold IRA companies

Choosing the right company is important to maximize the benefits of your gold IRA account. Our picks for the best gold IRA companies are as follows:

• Best overall: American Hartford Gold
• Best buyback program: Thor Metals Group
• Best online experience: Priority Gold
• Best for quick setup: Patriot Gold Group

American Hartford Gold

Best Overall

4.9 _/5

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Why American Hartford Gold is one of the best

American Hartford Gold is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and has been in business since 2015. The company offers extensive information about precious metals investing and gold IRAs on its website, including the latest spot prices.

Opening a precious metals IRA with American Hartford Gold is simple, and specialists are available via phone six days a week to help walk you through the process. American Hartford Gold regularly runs specials, and the company currently offers up to $5,000 in free silver plus up to three years with no IRA fees.

• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
• Simple buyback policy with no liquidation fees
• Transparent pricing with IRA-approved gold marked
• Excellent reviews from its clients

Thor Metals Group

Best Buyback Program

4.6 _/5

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Why Thor Metals Group is one of the best

Thor Metals Group is a relatively new company in the precious metals industry, but it has received excellent customer reviews. While you’ll need to contact the company for specific pricing information, it does maintain an online catalog of its metals products.

Its buyback program stands out as there are no fees, and alongside this offer, it includes a commission-free exchange program.

• Up to $20,000 in free metals for eligible accounts
• Free gold IRA setup
• 100% low-price guarantee
• No-fee buyback program
• Commission-free exchange program

Priority Gold

Best Online Experience

4.6 _/5

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Why Priority Gold is one of the best

Priority Gold offers an excellent online experience with educational resources and interactive price comparison charts. Customers can speak to a specialist over the phone or fill out an online form to receive a free investor kit as a first step.

• Up to $10,000 in free silver for eligible accounts
• Up to five years of waived fees for eligible accounts
• 100% tax-free IRA rollover

Patriot Gold Group

Best for Quick Setup

4.4 _/5

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Why Patriot Gold Group is one of the best

Patriot Gold Group doesn’t have all of the unique benefits offered by some of the other companies listed, but it is viewed highly by its clients with a 5-star rating on Trustpilot, as of February 28, 2025. Accounts over $100K could be eligible for “no fees for life.”

The company highlights its ability to setup accounts in as little as 24 hours for those that are eager to get started.

• No fees for accounts over $100K
• 24-hour account setup

How a gold IRA works

To invest in physical gold with a retirement account, you’ll need a self-directed IRA. These are the only IRA accounts that allow you to purchase hard assets, including precious metals, real estate, businesses, and more. Legally, these IRA accounts need a custodian—a bank or other institution that keeps records of the account, handles disbursements, and reports to the IRS.

To fund a gold IRA, you have two options. 

1. You can roll over or transfer funds from an existing IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) account, or
2. You can contribute right to the account—up to $8,000 per year, depending on your age.

Once your IRA is funded, you’ll choose the precious metals you’d like to buy and direct your custodian to make the purchase using your account. It can also recommend a storage facility that meets IRS requirements. Gold in an IRA cannot be stored at home.

You can withdraw money from your IRA at any point, though if you do so before reaching age 59 ½, you will owe a 10% penalty.

You can learn more by reading our guide on how gold IRAs work.

What is the best gold IRA?

Which gold IRA is the best depends on your situation. When considering companies, here’s what to consider:

• Initial transfer and setup fees
• Annual management fees
• Storage fees
• Availability of customer support
• Knowledge and investment resources
• Past customer reviews 

Based on our analysis, American Hartford Gold is the best gold IRA. 

How has gold performed over the years?

Gold prices have increased over the last few decades, but dips have occurred during that time. As of August 20, 2024, gold’s current value is about $2,513.93 an ounce.

Despite the four-figure price tag, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has seen greater returns than gold. That said, gold tends to be far less volatile than the stock market. Gold’s return may be lower, but so is its risk. 

Past performance doesn’t necessarily indicate future performance. Consider historical data in your decision, but don’t let that be the only factor you weigh. The following section provides several reasons for investing in gold.

Tip

New to precious metals investing? Grab your free gold IRA kit to get started.

What are good reasons for opening a gold IRA account?

Here are common reasons people invest in precious metals, such as gold and silver:

• To diversify your portfolio: Investing all your money in a single investment or asset is risky. If you have a portfolio without precious metals, a gold IRA can be an option for additional diversification.
• Protection from inflation: When the U.S. dollar drops in value, so does your purchasing power. Gold investments can protect against this loss. It has historically kept its value even when the dollar’s value weakens.
• Economic security: If the economy (or stock market) takes a turn, having your money in gold could reduce your losses. Learn more with our gold IRAs for seniors guide.
• Growth investment: The price of gold has risen steadily over the last few years, including reaching its highest price ever in 2024.

Gold is often considered a safe investment that can withstand severe market fluctuations and downturns, although it can be prone to price volatility. 

Can I only hold gold in my gold IRA?

No. Gold IRAs are self-directed IRAs, so gold bars and coins aren’t the only items you can hold in these accounts. 

Also referred to as precious metals IRAs, you can purchase other precious metals, including silver, platinum, or palladium, or you can put the funds into real estate, commodities, tax liens, partnerships, and more.

However, you can’t invest it in collectibles, antiques, gems, stamps, or life insurance.

Is there a minimum investment to open a gold IRA?

The minimum investment depends on the institution offering the gold IRA. The IRS doesn’t require minimum investments, but it does have annual contribution limits. These depend on your age and can go up to $8,000 per year as of 2024.

What is IRS-approved gold?

Per IRS rules, only certain gold and precious metals can be held in an IRA. With few exceptions, gold must be 99.5% pure and made by a national mint or certified or accredited manufacturer. 

JM Bullion has a list you can use to guide your investments. You won’t be able to use your IRA funds to purchase metals not on this list because they aren’t deemed pure enough.

Look out for gold IRA scams

As you search for a gold IRA company, always do your due diligence. Scams are rampant in the gold IRA business, and falling victim could mean significant loss.

Common signs of a scam include pushy sales tactics, talks of “rare” or “collectible” coins (these aren’t IRS-approved), or murky and misleading contracts. Some companies will also sell fake IRAs, duping you into transferring your funds into an unknown account, while others will feign gold purchases, instead funneling the money into their own business.

To safeguard your cash, only do business with a legitimate, credible, and trusted company.

To avoid gold IRA scams, don’t click on anything. Ignore it and move on. If you encounter a scam, contact the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Catherine Valega

CFP®

Best gold IRA companies FAQ

Are gold IRAs a good idea?

Historically, gold has been a safe haven in uncertain economic times. For someone looking to diversify their retirement account, a gold IRA could be beneficial. However, like any investment, it’s important to understand the pros and cons. 

Gold IRAs might provide stability, but it lacks the liquidity of other assets. So, consider your long-term financial goals and risk tolerance before investing

What is the minimum deposit for a gold IRA?

Minimum deposit requirements for gold IRAs vary from one company to the next. Typically, you might see minimums ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. 

Always double-check with the specific company regarding their minimum deposit requirements.

How do you know if a gold company can be trusted?

The best gold IRA companies don’t compromise on transparency, customer service, or regulatory compliance. Trustworthy companies often have strong reputations bolstered by positive customer reviews, industry credentials and recognition, and easy-to-understand policies and procedures.

How we selected the best gold IRA companies

Since 2020, LendEDU has evaluated gold dealers to help readers find the best precious metal IRAs and inventories for direct purchase. Our latest analysis reviewed 550 data points from 25 dealers, with 22 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These data points are organized into broader categories, which our editorial team weights and scores based on their relative importance to readers. These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

Higher star ratings are ultimately awarded to companies that create an excellent customer experience with a wide variety of metals for sale. This includes offering a free consultation, cost transparency, and unique benefits.

Recap of our picks for best gold IRAs