Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group can use the same custodian, Equity Trust, and publish similar ongoing fees of about $235 a year. They differ sharply on who they serve: Birch's stated minimum is $5,000 versus Augusta's $50,000, and Augusta's fee coverage runs up to 10 years where Birch's covers the first year on larger accounts.
Augusta vs. Birch Gold Group at a Glance
| Augusta Precious Metals | Birch Gold Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Published IRA minimum | $50,000 (IRA or cash) | $5,000 (can vary) |
| Setup fee | $50 | Not separately listed in its FAQ |
| Ongoing annual fees | $235 ($125 custodian + $110 storage) | Custodian fees typically average about $235 a year |
| First year | $285 | Covered for accounts over $50,000 |
| Fee coverage or promotion | Up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees paid by Augusta | First year's fees covered for accounts over $50,000 |
| Custody and storage | Equity Trust; depositories incl. Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Dallas, Wilmington | Equity Trust or GoldStar Trust; depositories incl. Delaware Depository, Brink's, IDS, Texas depositories |
| Metals | Gold and silver | Gold, silver, platinum and palladium |
| Buyback | Policy, not guaranteed; no liquidation fee on Augusta buybacks | Buybacks offered on request; terms not detailed in FAQ |
| Cancellation period | 7-day money-back period | Not stated in the FAQ we reviewed |
| Ratings | BBB A+ (accredited 2015); BCA AAA | Check BBB and BCA directly |
Augusta: FAQ updated September 23, 2026; BBB and BCA checked October 6, 2026. Birch Gold Group: Birch Gold Group FAQ (dated September 28, 2026). Terms change, so confirm with each company in writing.
Key Differences
From each company's own pages, checked October 6, 2026.
Minimum: $5,000 vs. $50,000
Birch's published minimum of $5,000 (which it says can vary) is the lowest of the companies we compared, so it's an option for smaller rollovers that Augusta won't accept. Remember that flat annual fees of about $235 are nearly 5% a year on a $5,000 account, so very small gold IRAs are expensive wherever you open them.
Fee coverage: up to 10 years vs. one year
For an account over $50,000, Birch says it covers the first year's fees. Augusta says every account receives up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees paid. On published numbers, that's potentially about $2,000 more in covered fees at Augusta over a decade. Confirm both offers in writing for your amount.
Metal choice and custody options
Birch offers platinum and palladium as well as gold and silver, and names two custodians and several depositories. Augusta focuses on gold and silver. If you want platinum-group metals in your IRA, that tips the decision toward Birch.
Before any fee coverage or promotions. Augusta says every account receives up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees paid by Augusta.
The Cost Neither Fee Schedule Shows
Annual fees are only part of the cost. The bigger number is usually the premium you pay over the metal's melt value, which depends on the product. Ask both companies to quote the same products (for example, a common gold bullion coin) on the same day, with the spot price and price per ounce in writing. Then ask what each would pay to buy those products back. See gold IRA fees and bullion vs. proof coins.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Augusta if
- You're moving $50,000 or more and want long fee coverage
- You only want gold and silver
- You want detailed written cancellation and price-protection terms
Choose Birch Gold Group if
- You're moving less than $50,000
- You want platinum or palladium too
- You want a choice of custodian or depository
Whichever you lean toward, put our 15 questions to both companies and compare the written answers. For more on Augusta, read our full Augusta Precious Metals review; for lower-minimum options, see Augusta alternatives.
Disclosure: we earn commissions from Augusta Precious Metals, not from Birch Gold Group. Both companies are described using their own published information.