Been considering a gold IRA but don’t know where to turn?
You’ve come to the right place.
At GSC, we aim to provide high-quality, unbiased information about all your options – not just the companies we recommend.
That’s why we’re looking at two top-tier precious metal IRA companies – Augusta Precious Metals and Patriot Gold Group.
While APM has been our #1 choice, we’ve been hearing good things about Patriot Gold.
So now’s the time to see how these two stack up across some key metrics:
- Gold IRA Fees and Costs
- Products Offered
- Education
- IRA Account Assistance
- Order Process and Minimum Order Size
- Customer Service
- Buyback Programs
- Customer Reviews and Complaints
We’re not pulling any punches.
#1 Recommended Gold IRA Company in the US (With the lowest fees and strongest reputation!) |
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Highlights:
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Our Rating: |
After this comparison review, you’ll see whether Augusta remains our top choice or if we have a new champion.
Gold IRA Fees and Costs
Like any other investment, fees and costs can affect your overall returns.
Precious metal IRAs may be a great way for you to save for retirement, providing some excellent tax benefits.
However, they come with higher costs than traditional accounts. Therefore, ensuring that the company you’re considering offers competitive rates is important.
Augusta Precious Metals Fees
Augusta makes this process simple.
They have one preferred custodian, Equity Trust, named Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2023 by Investopedia.com.
ET currently has $39 billion under management and over 45 years of experience.
For storage, they work with Delaware Depository, and all assets are insured by Lloyds of London.
Fees include $50 one time to open an account, and annual fees of $100 each for administration of the IRA account by your custodian and for storage of metals in the depository.
We’ve confirmed with a company representative that these fees apply regardless of your IRA amount.
So whether you invest $50,000 or $5,000,000, you only pay $250 the first year and $200 annually.
Now, here’s the better news…
You can get zero fees for up to 10 years (everyone qualifies).
So be sure to call Augusta at 833-989-1952 to waive your Gold IRA fees and get a FREE GOLD coin as a bonus when you open a new account.
Patriot Gold Group Fees
Patriot’s preferred provider is also Equity Trust, though they will work with other approved custodians.
For storage, they use Delaware Depository.
Fees are identical to Augusta – $250 for the first year and $200 annually afterward.
However, if you rollover $100,000 or more to Patriot, you’ll qualify for their “no-fees for life” program, in which they’ll cover both your custodian and storage costs for the life of your account.
Both companies offer nearly identical options and fee structures.
And even though Patriot offers “no fees for life” on qualified IRA rollovers, Augusta gets the edge because everyone qualifies for their 10 years fees-free program.
Plus they offer a FREE gold coin when you open a precious metals IRA account.
Products Offered
Precious metals come in all shapes and sizes, whether you’re considering bars, bullion, or coins.
In addition, the IRS imposes specific purity standards to be acceptable for IRA accounts.
They are:
- Gold 99.5% pure
- Silver 99.9% pure
- Platinum 99.95% pure
- Palladium 99.95% pure
Therefore, when comparing companies, it’s essential they carry the highest-quality products you want that meet IRS standards.
Augusta Precious Metals
Works with the top mints worldwide to ensure they have a large selection of IRA-approved coins and bullion.
They offer various sizes of the most popular gold and silver coins, including the American Eagle and American Buffalo.
They also have classic collectibles and gold and silver bars.
Patriot Gold Group
As a precious metals dealer, Patriot offers many gold and silver coins, including the most popular options.
They also sell ten-ounce gold and silver bars.
They work with many of the same mints as Augusta to ensure they have a wide selection of high-quality coins and bullion.
Though not listed on their website, a customer representative confirmed they can also sell platinum and palladium coins.
Both companies strive to offer the highest quality coins and bullion.
However, unless you’re considering platinum or palladium, Augusta wins this category with its more extensive selection of premium products.
Education
Never stop learning.
Even experienced investors make ongoing education an important part of their decision-making process.
Top Gold IRA companies understand this point and make educating their customers a priority.
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta is committed to being the industry leader in providing the best education for their customers.
Their mission is to provide resources you won’t find anywhere else.
A Harvard-trained economist, Devlyn Steele, with decades of experience in the capital markets leads their education department.
They have an extensive video library covering a wide variety of current and relevant topics important when considering diversifying with precious metals.
In addition, you’ll find online calculators, market news, and even videos on how to avoid the gimmicks and high-pressure sales tactics used by some dealers.
You can request a FREE Gold IRA guide or schedule a free web conference from their website.
Patriot Gold Group
From the Knowledge Center on their website, you can access short videos by Dick Morris and CEO Jack Hanney about the benefits of investing in precious metals.
In addition, they provide links to articles provided by other financial websites.
You can also find updated precious metals quotes and charts tracking gold and silver prices compared to the USD and request an investors kit.
Augusta is the clear winner in this category.
Their education library is considered the best in the industry, and their one-on-one conference calls have no equal.
IRA Account Assistance
Opening a gold IRA can seem overwhelming to the average investor, from picking an IRS-approved custodian to the best storage facility.
Therefore, a key consideration when comparing companies is if they have a dedicated and experienced team to help you through the process.
Augusta Precious Metals
There’s a reason that Money Magazine named them the Best Overall Gold IRA Company for both 2022 and 2023.
Their dedicated team make opening and funding your account easy and transparent.
Working with their preferred custodian, Augusta does 95% of the Gold IRA paperwork with you.
You are in control, and you decide what metals to buy.
They will act as your liaison and hold your hand every step of the way, from opening to funding your account.
And when it comes time to select your metals, their order department will answer your questions and ensure that the metals you choose are eligible for your IRA.
Patriot Gold Group
With Patriot, you can open an account in three easy steps.
First, contact their customer service department to start the process with their preferred provider. Or you can fill out an application online.
Next, their rollover IRA department will help you with any transfers from a current retirement account, such as a 401k or traditional IRA.
Once your account is funded, they will help you select your precious metals and arrange shipping and storage.
Though both companies simplify the process, Augusta goes above and beyond with their dedicated precious metals specialists.
Order Process and Minimum Order Size
No matter the investment, ease of ordering and transparent pricing are important considerations.
A safe and reliable order process should be a top concern when comparing companies.
Augusta Precious Metals
Before you can open an account, you are required to participate in a one-on-one conference call.
The call will cover investment strategies that best fit your goals and outline all fees and costs.
Your expert will also cover the advantages and drawbacks of each metal type and strategy.
All orders are placed and confirmed through a recorded phone line with an order specialist for added security.
However, their minimum contribution amount of $50,000 can be a drawback for smaller investors.
APM accepts payments made by:
- Bank wire – no limit
- Personal check – up to $50,000 maximum
- Retirement rollover from traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) or 403(b)
If you wish to purchase precious metals outside of an IRA, they can help with that too with the following simple 3-step process:
As per their return policy, if you’re a first-time customer, then Augusta extends the cancellation period for premium gold and silver coin transactions for up to 7 calendar days after the date your transaction is confirmed.
Be sure to read the Transaction Agreement carefully when you become a customer.
Patriot Gold Group
From their website, you can request online quotes or speak directly with a precious metals specialist.
All orders are conducted and confirmed on a recorded phone line.
Patriot requires a minimum order size of $25,000 to open an IRA or $10,000 for cash purchases.
They accept personal checks, bank wires, and retirement rollovers for purchases.
Though they don’t offer a return policy, the representative said they would work with any customer who isn’t happy with their purchase.
Customer Service
Nothing is more frustrating than having a question and being unable to get an answer.
The top companies make getting the information you need easy without undue wait times.
Augusta Precious Metals
Need an answer fast?
Their website has a 24/7 chat option featuring a live person ready to help you with any questions.
If you don’t have any, just minimize the chat box.
You can also call customer service from 6 am – 5 pm PST, Monday through Friday. Or feel free to email them after hours or if it isn’t urgent.
They provide a one-on-one web conference call for all new clients where they will answer your questions without any pressure to buy.
Augusta doesn’t stop there.
After your purchase, they provide customer support for the life of your account, making it easy to get the answers no matter what the future brings.
Patriot Gold Group
Making sure that their customers are happy is a top goal for Patriot.
They also offer an online chat box featuring a live person who will gladly assist you with any questions.
Their customer service department is open Monday through Thursday from 7 am – 5 pm PST and Fridays from 7 am – 3 pm.
Or you can email their support department any time.
Buyback Programs
Having a buyback program makes selling your precious metals easy in the future.
Rather than having to find a buyer, the company will buy your metals and handle all the details.
Augusta Precious Metals
They offer a buyback program, and although there are no guarantees, they state that their buyback prices are fair and competitive.
Patriot Gold Group
Patriot also offers a buyback program without any guarantees, though their representative stated they have never denied a purchase in the past.
Customer Reviews and Complaints
When you do research, it’s normal to wonder:
- Is Patriot Gold Group legit?
- Are there any Augusta Precious Metals complaints?
And other questions of this nature.
Whether good or bad, verified reviews and complaints can tell us a lot about what to expect working with a business.
Augusta Precious Metals Ratings
Better Business Bureau shows they are 4.97/5.0 based on 120 reviews.
They have been a member since February 2015 and maintain an A+ rating with zero complaints.
In addition, the CEO Isaac Nuriani took time to personally thank many of the reviewers and let them know that they could contact APM with any further questions.
Augusta has a perfect five-star rating based on 98 reviews and zero complaints with Business Consumer Alliance.
They have been a member since November 2013 with an AAA rating.
Lastly, Trustlink shows a perfect 5-star rating based on 286 reviews.
Patriot Gold Group Ratings
The Better Business Bureau used to show a five-star rating based on one review and zero complaints, but it seems that now this review has been removed.
They have only been a member since April 2022 and have an A+ rating.
On the BCA website, they have a perfect 5-star rating based on 17 reviews and zero complaints.
They have been a member since 2016 and have an AA rating.
And with TrustPilot, they have a 5-star rating based on 284 reviews.
Which Gold IRA Company Is Best?
Let’s face it:
Some comparisons are easier than others. And these two didn’t make it easy.
Both offer high-quality gold and silver, have excellent reviews, and provide IRA account assistance.
Patriot’s minimum order size may be a better fit for smaller investors. Or those considering platinum or palladium.
However, Augusta Precious Metals takes customer service to the next level with:
- hundreds of excellent reviews
- zero complaints
- the industry-best education
- lifetime account support for all customers
- an impeccable reputation
So, which is right for you – Augusta Precious Metals or Patriot Gold Group?
After all, you’re making a sizeable investment and deserve to work only with the very best.
For that reason (and many more), Augusta is a clear winner today and our #1 recommended Gold IRA company.
Start with their FREE investor guide here.
And how to speak with an Augusta Precious Metals representative? You can call them at 833-989-1952 to learn more.
Now, we’d like to hear from you:
- Have you dealt with any of these 2 businesses before?
- Which one do you think is best: Augusta Precious Metals or Patriot Gold Group?
- Would you like a separate Patriot Gold Group review?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
