A gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account that holds physical precious metals instead of stocks, bonds, or funds. The account itself follows the same IRS contribution and distribution rules as a conventional IRA. What varies is the company you work with to open it, the custodian that administers it, and the depository that stores the metals.
Because those three parties often charge separately, two accounts holding the same metals can carry very different costs and service experiences. That is why a structured comparison matters before you sign anything. The sections below lay out the criteria that actually differentiate one provider from another, with current figures drawn from a ten-company data set so you can see how wide the ranges really are.
Key Takeaways
- Account minimums range from no set IRA minimum at some dealers to $50,000 at others.
- Most companies rely on the same handful of custodians, so the custodian is often a smaller differentiator than the dealer’s own pricing and service.
- Recurring annual costs commonly land between roughly $175 and $375 per year, depending on the custodian and the storage type you choose.
- Segregated storage keeps your specific coins and bars separate and usually costs more than commingled storage.
- The metals a company offers, its buyback process, and how it discloses pricing are as important as the headline fee.
Start With the Account Minimum
The minimum investment is the fastest way to narrow the field, because it determines whether a company is even an option for your situation.
Across the market, minimums vary widely. Some dealers set no specific minimum for IRA purchases, while others require substantial amounts. Common thresholds in the current data include $10,000 (used by several firms for rollovers), $20,000, and $25,000, with one company setting its minimum at $50,000. A few dealers apply only a small general order minimum, such as $100 per order, rather than an IRA-specific floor.
One practical note: minimums change. As of early 2026, at least one major provider was reported to have removed its long-standing minimum, so confirm the current figure directly rather than relying on older reviews.
Break Down the Fee Structure
Gold IRA fees usually come in three parts. Look at each one separately, because a low number in one category can be offset by a higher number in another.
Setup fee. This is a one-time charge, most often paid to the custodian rather than the dealer, for opening the account. It commonly sits near $50, though some companies charge more, such as $80, and a few dealers charge nothing on their own end while the custodian still applies its application fee.
Annual custodian or administration fee. This covers account maintenance, recordkeeping, statements, and tax reporting. In the current data it typically ranges from about $75 to $125 per year. Some companies charge a flat rate regardless of account size, while others tie the fee to account value, for example a lower fee under $100,000 and a higher fee above it.
Annual storage fee. The depository charges this to hold and insure the metals. Non-segregated storage generally runs around $100 per year, while segregated storage often costs $150 to $175 per year.
Add those recurring pieces together and most accounts fall between roughly $175 and $375 per year. The wide spread comes almost entirely from which custodian and storage type you select, not from the metals themselves.
Check Whether Fees Are Flat or Scaled
Two companies can both advertise a $125 annual fee, yet cost you very different amounts over time.
A flat fee stays the same whether your account holds $30,000 or $300,000. A scaled fee rises with account value, which can matter significantly for larger balances held over many years. When you compare providers, ask specifically whether each fee is flat or value-based, and run the numbers on the balance you actually expect to hold. A flat structure tends to favor larger accounts, while the difference is smaller for modest balances.
Look at Which Metals Are Offered
Not every gold IRA company offers the same metals, and only certain products meet IRS eligibility standards.
In the current data, some companies offer gold and silver only. Others add platinum, and several offer all four IRS-eligible metals: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. If you have a specific interest in platinum or palladium, this alone can rule some providers in or out. Whatever the company offers, eligible products must meet IRS fineness standards, which generally means approved bullion coins from recognized mints and bars from accredited refiners. Collectible or numismatic coins are frequently marketed alongside IRA products but are not always IRA-eligible, so confirm the status of any specific product before buying.
Review the Custodian Partners
The custodian is the IRS-approved entity that legally administers your self-directed IRA. The dealer sells you the metals, but the custodian holds the account.
A striking pattern in the data is how concentrated this layer is. Equity Trust Company appears as a primary or preferred custodian for many of the largest gold IRA companies, and a handful of others (such as STRATA Trust, GoldStar Trust, New Direction, and Entrust) cover most of the rest. Some dealers assign a single preferred custodian, while others let you choose any IRS-approved custodian you prefer.
Because so many companies share the same custodians, the custodian is often a smaller point of difference than it first appears. Where it does matter is in flexibility: if you already have a custodian you trust, a dealer that lets you keep it may be more convenient than one that requires its own partner.
Compare Storage Options
The IRS requires that gold IRA metals be held by an approved depository, not at home. Where companies differ is in the type of storage they offer.
Segregated storage keeps your specific bars and coins separate and returns those exact items when you take a distribution. It generally costs more.
Non-segregated, or commingled, storage pools your metals with others of the same type and returns equivalent items rather than the exact ones you deposited. It is usually cheaper.
Most companies offer both and let you choose at setup. A few offer only one. If having your specific holdings kept separate matters to you, confirm that segregated storage is available and factor its higher annual cost into your comparison. Also check which depositories a company uses and whether you can select a location convenient to you.
Ask How Pricing and Spreads Are Disclosed
The fees above are not the only cost. The spread, meaning the difference between the price you pay for metals and the price you would receive if you sold them back, is often the largest expense over the life of the account, yet it is the least visible.
When comparing companies, look for those that put pricing and spreads in writing before you commit. Transparent providers disclose the exact spread per product and lock the price during a recorded confirmation, so the quote you agree to is the price you pay. Be cautious with offers framed around free metals or promotional bonuses, since those incentives are sometimes recovered through wider spreads. Asking a direct question about the spread on a specific product is one of the more revealing steps in any comparison.
Understand the Buyback Process
At some point you may want to sell metals back, either to take a distribution or to rebalance. A clear buyback process makes that easier.
Look at whether the company operates a buyback program, whether it commits to the process in writing, and how it determines the price you would receive. Note that most buyback arrangements are not contractually assured, so treat any absolute promises with care and focus instead on how transparent and consistent the stated process is. A company that explains its buyback pricing plainly is generally easier to exit than one that is vague about it.
Weigh Education and Support
Service quality is harder to quantify than fees, but it shapes the entire experience, especially for a first-time buyer.
Consider whether the company assigns a dedicated account representative, what educational resources it provides, and how it handles questions during setup. Some firms offer one-on-one sessions, written guides, market updates, and ongoing support after the account is open. Others take a more transactional, self-directed approach with lower minimums and a lighter touch. Neither model is inherently better; the right fit depends on how much guidance you want. What matters in a comparison is matching the level of support to your own comfort with the process.
Confirm Which Accounts You Can Roll Over
If you plan to fund the account by moving money from an existing retirement plan, verify that the company supports your specific account type.
Most gold IRA providers accept transfers and rollovers from Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and the Thrift Savings Plan, but the exact list can vary. Confirm your source account is supported, and understand the difference between a direct transfer, where funds move custodian to custodian, and an indirect rollover, where you receive the funds and must redeposit them within 60 days to avoid tax consequences. The mechanics affect timing and paperwork more than cost, but they are worth confirming up front.
Read Third-Party Ratings in Context
Ratings from independent bodies add useful signal, as long as you read several rather than relying on one.
Look at Better Business Bureau ratings, Business Consumer Alliance ratings, and customer review scores on established platforms. Consistency across sources matters more than any single high mark. Pay attention to how a company responds to complaints, not just its star average, and be wary of reviews that read as promotional. Ratings are one input among many, useful for confirming reputation but not a substitute for checking fees, storage, and pricing yourself.
Turn the Criteria Into a Simple Checklist
Pulling the framework together, a straightforward way to evaluate any provider is to answer the same questions for each one:
- Does the account minimum fit my situation?
- What are the one-time setup fee, annual custodian fee, and annual storage fee?
- Are those fees flat or scaled to account value?
- Does the company offer the metals I want, and are they IRS-eligible?
- Which custodian is used, and can I choose my own?
- Is segregated or commingled storage available, and at what cost?
- How is the spread disclosed, and is pricing put in writing?
- How does the buyback process work?
- What level of education and support is provided?
- Do independent ratings line up across multiple sources?
Answering these for two or three companies side by side turns a confusing decision into a manageable one. Once your own priorities are set, it becomes far easier to compare gold IRA companies against a consistent list of criteria rather than reacting to whichever sales pitch you happen to hear first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a gold IRA cost per year?
Recurring annual costs in the current data commonly range from about $175 to $375, combining the custodian fee and storage fee. Your actual figure depends on the custodian you use and whether you choose segregated or commingled storage. The one-time setup fee, often near $50, is separate.
Do all gold IRA companies use the same custodian?
No, but many use the same few. Equity Trust Company is a common choice, and a small group of other IRS-approved custodians covers most of the remaining market. Some dealers require a specific custodian, while others let you select your own.
What is the difference between segregated and commingled storage?
Segregated storage keeps your exact coins and bars separate and returns those specific items later. Commingled storage pools your metals with others of the same type and returns equivalent items. Segregated storage usually costs more.
Can I store gold IRA metals at home?
No. IRS rules require that metals in a gold IRA be held by an approved depository. Home storage of IRA metals can trigger taxes and penalties.
Which metals can a gold IRA hold?
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium can all be held if they meet IRS fineness standards, though not every company offers all four. Eligible products are generally approved bullion coins and bars; many collectible coins do not qualify.
