Industry Titans Clash

Augusta Precious Metals vs. Goldco

The two heavyweights of the Gold IRA industry go head-to-head. Currently #1 and #2 on most review sites. Which one is actually better for YOU?

If you are doing your research on Gold IRAs, you have undoubtedly narrowed it down to these two: Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco.

Both are excellent. Both have A+ BBB ratings. Both have thousands of 5-star reviews. But they cater to slightly different investors.

Our Verdict

Winner: It Depends on Your Balance

If you have over $50,000 to invest, Augusta Precious Metals wins on education and transparency. If you have between $25,000 and $50,000, Goldco is your best choice (since Augusta requires $50k+).

Best For: High Net Worth (Augusta) vs Flexible Limits (Goldco)

Head-to-Head Comparison

FeatureAugusta Precious MetalsGoldco
Minimum Investment$50,000$25,000
BBB RatingA+A+
TrustPilot Score4.9/54.8/5
Free Silver PromoNoUp to 10%
1-on-1 EducationYes (Webinar w/ Harvard Economist)Yes (Standard Guide)
FeesFlat Fee usually waived 1st yearScaled fees based on account size
Buyback ProgramYes, competitiveYes, guaranteed highest price

Augusta Precious Metals Overview

Augusta is the "Rolls-Royce" of Gold IRA companies. They're famous for one thing above all else: zero complaints at the BBB. In an industry plagued by pushy salespeople and hidden fees, that's remarkable.

What makes them different? Their onboarding process. Before you invest a dime, they require you to watch a one-on-one webinar with Devlyn Steele, their Director of Education (and Harvard-trained economist). It's not a sales pitch—it's actual education about the economy, inflation, and why gold makes sense.

The downside? That $50,000 minimum is steep. If you don't have that much, Augusta isn't for you.

Read Full Review

Goldco Overview

Goldco is the 800-pound gorilla of the Gold IRA industry. They've placed billions in precious metals for customers and have endorsements from Sean Hannity and other major conservative figures.

Their big advantages? Lower minimum ($25,000 vs Augusta's $50,000), aggressive promotions (up to 10% in free silver on qualifying purchases), and a "Highest Price Buyback Guarantee" when you're ready to sell.

The trade-off is that Goldco has more of a "sales" culture than Augusta. Not bad—just more traditional. You'll get follow-up calls. Some people love the attention, others find it annoying.

Read Full Review

Fees & Minimums

Here's where things get interesting:

Fee TypeAugustaGoldco
Minimum Investment$50,000$25,000
Setup Fee$50 (often waived)$50 (often waived)
Annual Storage~$100-$150 flatScaled by account size
First Year FeesUsually waivedUsually waived

Bottom line: For accounts over $100k, Augusta's flat fee structure is usually cheaper. For accounts between $25k-$50k, Goldco wins by default since Augusta won't take you.

Pros & Cons

Augusta Pros

  • • Zero BBB complaints history
  • • Incredible educational materials
  • • Lifetime account support

Goldco Pros

  • • Lower minimum ($25k)
  • • Great buyback guarantee
  • • Huge promotional silver giveaways

Still Undecided?

Take our 30-second quiz to see which company matches your investment goals.

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Thomas Richardson

Written By

Thomas Richardson

Thomas is a former wealth manager with 20+ years of experience. He founded Rich Dad Retirement to expose the flaws of traditional "paper asset" retirement planning and educate Americans on the stability of physical precious metals.

Certified Financial Planner™ (Ret.)Precious Metals Expert