Augusta vs Goldco - Minimums, Fees, Metals and Service Compared (2026)

Choose Augusta Precious Metals if you're moving $50,000 or more and want an education-first process with flat yearly fees. Choose Goldco if your account is smaller, you want some platinum or palladium options, or you like the idea of a qualifying promotion.

Both are established, highly rated companies that use outside custodians and approved depositories. The real differences are the entry point, the sales approach and how promotions work. Here's the side-by-side.

Augusta vs Goldco at a Glance

Table: Augusta Precious Metals vs Goldco, reported figures | | Augusta Precious Metals | Goldco | |---|---|---| | In business since | 2012 | 2006 | | Reported minimum | $50,000 | $10,000–$25,000 (varies by source) | | Reported yearly fees | About $200–$250 | About $200–$280 | | Metals | Gold, silver | Gold, silver, some platinum and palladium | | Approach | Education first, one-on-one session | Rollover specialists, frequent promotions | | Promotions | Fee-waiver offers reported for qualifying accounts | Bonus silver on qualifying purchases reported | | BBB rating | A+ | A+ |

Figures come from independent reviews and can change. Confirm current minimums and fees with each company before deciding.

Minimums: The Biggest Difference

Augusta's reported $50,000 minimum is the main reason people compare these two. Goldco's entry point is lower, though sources disagree on the exact figure, with reports ranging from $10,000 to $25,000.

If you're under $50,000, this settles it: Goldco (or another low-minimum company) is the realistic option. If you're above $50,000, the minimum stops mattering and the other differences take over.

Fees

Both companies use flat yearly fees paid to the custodian and depository rather than a percentage of your balance. Reported ranges overlap: about $200–$250 for Augusta and about $200–$280 for Goldco.

That's close enough that yearly fees shouldn't decide it. The bigger cost difference usually comes from product premiums, which depend on what you buy. Ask both companies for a written quote that shows the price per coin and the same-day buyback price. Our Augusta fees breakdown explains how to read one.

Metals and Products

Augusta sticks to gold and silver. Goldco also sells gold and silver and has offered some platinum and palladium options.

For most retirement savers, gold and silver are enough. If you specifically want platinum or palladium, Goldco has the edge here, and Birch Gold Group offers all four metals too.

Promotions

Goldco is known for promotions such as bonus silver on qualifying purchases. Augusta has been reported to offer fee waivers for qualifying accounts.

Promotions can be real value, but read the terms. A bonus that requires buying specific, higher-premium products may cost more than it gives back. Ask for the bonus terms and the product prices in the same written quote.

Education and Sales Experience

This is where the two companies feel most different. Augusta leads with education: a free kit, then an optional one-on-one session with a salaried, non-commissioned educator before you buy.

Goldco is known for experienced rollover specialists and a quicker path to getting set up. If you already know what you want, that speed can be a plus. If you're new to gold IRAs, Augusta's slower, more explanatory approach tends to prevent costly mistakes.

Custody, Storage and Selling

Both companies work with outside self-directed IRA custodians and approved depositories, so neither holds your metal. Augusta accounts are commonly reported to use Equity Trust and Delaware Depository.

Both offer buyback programs. No dealer can legally guarantee a future price, so get each company's buyback terms in writing. See Augusta buyback for how Augusta's works.

Reputation

Both hold A+ BBB ratings. Reviewers commonly report that Augusta has a smaller total number of reviews but very few complaints, while Goldco's larger customer base means more reviews and a larger absolute number of complaints.

Larger companies naturally collect more complaints. Read how each company responds, not just the count.

Ten-Year Fee Example

Yearly fees look small, but they add up over a long hold. Here's an illustration using the midpoint of each company's reported fee range on a $100,000 rollover. These are assumptions, not quotes.

Table: Illustrative 10-year account fees on a $100,000 rollover (assumed midpoints) | | Augusta Precious Metals | Goldco | |---|---|---| | Assumed setup fee | $50 | $50 | | Assumed yearly custody and storage | $225 | $240 | | Ten-year total | About $2,300 | About $2,450 | | Share of $100,000 per year | About 0.23% | About 0.24% |

The difference is small, roughly $150 over a decade. A one-percentage-point difference in product premiums on day one would be worth about $1,000 on the same rollover. That's why we put so much weight on written product quotes.

How the Rollover Works With Each

The mechanics are the same at both companies because the IRS sets the rules. A self-directed IRA is opened with a custodian, your old plan sends the money by direct transfer or direct rollover, and you choose metals that ship to an approved depository.

The difference is in the hand-holding. Augusta front-loads education, so you'll typically read the kit and attend a session before funding. Goldco's rollover specialists tend to move you toward setup sooner. If your old 401(k) administrator is slow, both companies can help with follow-up calls. Our 401(k) to gold IRA rollover guide covers the steps in detail.

Questions to Ask Both Companies

Asking each company the same questions is the fairest way to compare them. Write down the answers and ask for the important ones in writing.

• Which custodian and depository would my account use, and what are their fee schedules?
• What's the minimum for my account type, IRA or cash?
• What would you charge for one American Gold Eagle today, and what would you pay to buy it back today?
• If there's a promotion, which products does it require, and what are their premiums?
• How do you handle required minimum distributions when I turn 73?

Common Misconceptions

"A promotion makes the company cheaper." Not necessarily. A bonus tied to higher-premium products can cost more than it returns.

"Fewer reviews means a riskier company." Augusta has fewer total reviews than some larger dealers, but a very low complaint count. Volume and quality are different measures.

"A higher minimum means higher fees." Augusta's minimum is higher, but its reported yearly fees are in the same range as Goldco's or slightly lower.

Who Should Choose Which