Choosing a gold IRA company is really choosing three things: the dealer who sells you the metal, the custodian who runs the account, and the depository that stores it. The way to compare them is the same every time: ask the same questions, get the answers in writing, and compare the total cost of the metal you'd actually buy.
What You're Actually Choosing
| Role | What to judge |
|---|---|
| Dealer (the company you call) | Markup over spot, product recommendations, sales approach, buyback terms, track record |
| Custodian | Fees, reporting, responsiveness, bank or IRS-approved non-bank trustee status |
| Depository | Storage fees, segregated vs. commingled, insurance, audits, location |
Minimums Vary a Lot
Company minimums are often the first filter. Among six well-known gold IRA companies whose published terms we reviewed in 2026, stated IRA minimums ranged from $5,000 to $50,000.
From each company's own published pages, reviewed October 2026. Minimums change, so confirm directly.
A low minimum isn't automatically better. With flat annual fees, a small account pays a much larger percentage each year. See gold IRA fees.
15 Questions to Ask Any Gold IRA Company
Ask these by email, or ask on the phone and request written confirmation. Then compare the answers side by side.
Pricing and products
- Which exact products do you recommend for my IRA, and why?
- What's the price per ounce for each, and what's the spot price right now?
- What's your markup over melt value, as a percentage, for each product?
- Do you sell common bullion coins and bars, and at what markup?
- If I sold these back to you tomorrow, what would you pay?
Fees and account setup
- What's your minimum purchase for an IRA?
- What's every fee: setup, annual custodian, storage, insurance, wires, shipping, transactions, closing?
- Are any fees waived or covered, which ones, for how long, and on what conditions?
- Which custodian will hold my account, and can I choose another?
- Which depository will store my metal? Segregated or commingled, and at what price?
Process, exit and track record
- Will you handle the transfer or direct rollover paperwork, and how long does it usually take?
- How do buybacks work, how is the price set, and is the policy in writing?
- Is there a cancellation or cooling-off period after I place an order?
- How are your representatives paid? Are they paid more for certain products?
- Has your company, or anyone running it, faced regulatory action or lawsuits from customers or regulators?
The single most revealing question is number 5. The gap between what you pay today and what they'd pay you tomorrow is your true round-trip cost.
A Simple Comparison Scorecard
| Criterion | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Price transparency | Markup stated in writing per product | "Prices vary" or refusal to give a percentage |
| Product mix | Offers common bullion at modest premiums | Steers you toward proof or "premium" coins |
| Fees | Complete written schedule | Only "low fees" or "no fees" claims |
| Sales approach | Education, time to decide, welcomes your adviser | Urgency, fear, pressure to move everything |
| Custody | Named custodian and depository, your choice respected | Vague answers or home storage offers |
| Exit | Clear written buyback process | "Guaranteed" buybacks with no terms |
| Track record | Few, resolved complaints; no enforcement actions | Regulatory orders, patterns of unresolved complaints |
How to Check a Company's Record
- Search the company name with "CFTC," "attorney general," "consent order" and "lawsuit."
- Read Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance profiles, including complaint details, not just the letter grade.
- Read recent reviews on independent sites, keeping in mind that some companies have offered customers incentives for reviews.
- Confirm the custodian is a bank or appears on the IRS list of approved non-bank trustees.
- Treat "best gold IRA company" rankings with caution: many publishers earn commissions from the companies they rank, and so do we.
Our Affiliate Relationship
We're affiliated with Augusta Precious Metals and earn a commission if you request its free information kit or open an account through our links. Augusta's stated minimum purchase is $50,000, so it's only relevant if you're moving at least that much. If you are, read our Augusta review, request the kit, and put these 15 questions to its representatives exactly as you would with anyone else. If you're moving less, see our lower-minimum alternatives.
Sources
- IRS: Approved non-bank trustees and custodians
- CFTC Release 8704-23
- FTC: Endorsement Guides, What People Are Asking
- Published minimums and fee pages of six gold IRA companies, reviewed October 2026