Augusta Precious Metals Alternatives and Competitors

Augusta Precious Metals Alternatives
Updated July 26, 2024

Let’s face it – the world of trading and investments is complicated and dynamic. Therefore, if you’re planning your financial future the best thing you can do is find an investment company that’s well-versed with the needs of the modern-day investment environment.

Talking about investment companies, a search for the same will most likely leave you with hundreds of options – making it extremely difficult to find a reliable pick. Augusta Precious Metals is just but one of the many investment companies out there. Known for its impeccable track record in the world of precious metal IRAs, this company is a common choice for folks looking to plan their retirement.

However, like any other company out there, the firm has its fair share of downsides. For instance, complaints are often raised about the company’s limited precious metal options. Also, there are some who feel that their pricing markups are a bit over the top.

If you have encountered issues with Augusta Precious Metals and are looking for a viable alternative, the following guide is just what you need. Here we dexplore not one but 5 potential substitutes for this renowned gold IRA company.

#1
goldco logo e1703537849518

GoldCo

Goldco is a respected company that specializes in assisting individuals with investing in gold and silver IRAs for retirement planning and wealth protection.

5 of 5 stars

#2
american hartgord gold logo

American Hartford

American Hartford Gold Group is a trusted provider of gold and silver investments for retirement planning, offering a variety of investment options and personalized service.

4.5 of 5 stars

#3
noble gold logo

Noble Gold

Noble Gold specializes in helping individuals invest in gold and silver for retirement planning, offering a range of investment options and dedicated customer service.

4.5 of 5 stars

#4
Birch Gold Group logo

Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold Group is a precious metals dealer, specializing in gold, silver, and other precious metals investments to safeguard and diversify wealth.

4.5 of 5 stars

#5
Priority Gold

Priority Gold

Priority Gold specializes in helping clients secure their wealth through investments in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products.

4.5 of 5 stars

Top 5 Alternatives To Augusta Precious Metals in 2024

After carrying out intensive research on multiple Augusta Precious Metals alternatives, here are our best picks;

1. Goldco


GoldCo, a California-based company, has operated for over 10 years and offers gold, platinum, silver, and palladium investments. Unlike other companies that provide similar or slightly lower precious metals buyback prices, GoldCo offers a high buyback rate. Just like Augusta Precious Metals, GoldCo also has excellent customer support.

Another reason GoldCo stands out is its transparency in pricing, and there are no hidden costs. Though the company stores your precious metals in IRS-approved depositories, it doesn't publicly reveal their names and relative pricing. With a minimum order deposit of $25,000 for precious metals IRAs, GoldCo is a go-to company for both high and medium-income investors.  

If you value a company's recommendations and reputation, then GoldCo is what you need. It won the prestigious American Business Awards as the best financial services category company of 2021. Additionally, GoldCo has received endorsements from famous people like Sean Hannity, Ben Stein, and Ron Paul; this is just goes to show just how good their services are.

Pros

  • Multiple education resources
  • High buyback rates
  • Supports diversity in investing
  • 24-hour customer service
  • Offers the latest news on its website

Cons

  • Website lacks price information
  • Not ideal for investors with less than $25,000

2. American Hartford Gold


American Hartford Gold was set up in 2015 and deals with various precious metals: gold, silver, palladium, and platinum.

Unlike Augusta Precious Metals, which has start-up fees, customers don't pay any setup or transfer fees and are entitled to waivers on storage fees for up to 3 years from frequent promotions. 

Clients are charged a relatively lower rate of $10,000 for opening an IRA. The storage fees vary depending on the type and size of precious metals held; thus, there are no surprise fees. Annual fees vary from$175 to $ 225 (applicable from the second year as first-year fees are entirely waived).

Through the company's custodian Equity Trust, you can choose whether to store your precious metals in segregated or unsegregated storage.

Pros

  • Doesn't charge setup fees
  • Straightforward buyback procedure
  • Exemplary customer care
  • Offers frequent storage fee waivers
  • Low minimum deposits

Cons

  • Doesn't enlist precious metal prices on their website

3. Noble Gold


Though a new entrance that started in 2016, its founders have over 20 years of experience in precious metals transactions. Noble Gold offers users more investment options besides silver and gold; they also offer rare coins, platinum, and palladium.

You can check every product's information on the company's website, including features, design, history, etc.

Unlike Augusta Precious Metals, the website doesn't disclose whether the products are in stock for purchase, and you have to contact them directly. The minimum amount for opening a Noble Gold IRA account is $20,000, which is slightly lower than APM. 

One aspect you'll love about Noble Gold is that they don't charge IRA account setup fees, which is rare in this industry.

However, you will pay a custodian fee of $80 annually even though the company hasn't disclosed the names of their trustees. There's also a $150 annual fee for segregated storage and insurance.

Pros

  • Lots of educational content
  • Has a precious metal buyback program
  • Information on charges is readily available online
  • Great for small investors
  • No account opening fees

Cons

  • Limited to investors in Canada and the US

4. Birch Gold Group


Birch Gold Group was founded in 2003 and has built a reputation for efficient performance plus credibility in storing precious metals. Unlike Augusta Precious Metals, which specializes in only silver and Gold, Birch Gold Group deals with 4 precious metals: gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. 

Opening a gold IRA account with Birch Gold Group is affordable as it offers a minimum requirement of $10,000. One-time costs include an account setup fee of $50 and a wire transfer fee of $30.

Account owners also pay an insurance and storage fee of $100 annually. If you invest more than $50,000 in your IRA account, you will get a waiver of your first-year fees.

Pros

  • Transparent pricing
  • Up to 20 years experience
  • Flexible storage and custodian options
  • Quite affordable yearly storage fees
  • Lowest IRA investment minimum

Cons

  • Website consists a lot of information & can be overwhelming for starters

5. Priority Gold


Priority Gold is a trusted name in the world of precious metals investments. With a personalized touch, they strive to make the process of diversifying your portfolio with gold and other precious metals both simple and fulfilling. 

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just beginning to explore this avenue, Priority Gold offers expert guidance tailored to your individual needs. They prioritize transparency, ensuring you understand every step of your investment journey.

With an impressive selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, you can rest assured that they are committed to helping you protect and grow your wealth.

What sets Priority Gold apart is their genuine dedication to customer service—making you feel like more than just a client, but a valued partner. With a focus on building longstanding relationships, Priority Gold is a compelling alternative to Augusta Precious Metals.

Pros

  • Competitive pricing
  • Wide range of precious metals options
  • Strong customer service
  • Secure storage options
  • Transparent fee structure

Cons

  • Regional availability constraints
  • Limited online resources

What is Augusta Precious Metals?

The company started in 2012 and has since gained a reputation for its dependability and honesty. Augusta Precious Metals deals specifically with gold and silver. However, if you want to invest with Augusta, you must pay a minimum of $50,000 to open a silver/gold IRA. 

The company is renowned for its high level of transparency. For instance, it lays bare its charges right from the onset enabling its customers to know whatever costs they’re bound to incur, beforehand.

Opening your IRA account here requires a one-off setup fee of $50. Other charges include a $100 annual storage fee and a $100 annual fee, which goes to the custodian Equity Trust, ranked the Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Custodian. In total, the one-time setup fee is $250, and the recurring annual costs are $200. 

Unlike some precious metal storage companies whose annual fees are subject to increase depending on the investment amount, Augusta Precious Metals doesn't do this. The yearly fees remain the same even if your investments run into millions.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Precious Metals IRA Company

It's undeniable that there are many precious metal companies, and each promises to deliver the best. But how do you choose one that suits your financial investment in precious metals? Here are some key pointers;

  • Costs - Before committing yourself to open an IRA account with a specific company, it should fully disclose all costs related to storing precious metals. The costs are mainly insurance, maintenance, minimum order, setup, and storage fees. Some companies offer fixed annual costs regardless of the investment amount, while others have recurring costs.
  • Reputation - You must check a company's customer reviews on consumer review platforms like TrustPilot, BCA, and BBB. This helps you see if the company lives to its promises or gives false statements. Also, check if the company complies with IRS rules on gold storage and relevant government authorities.
  • Experience & Expertise - Experience and expertise tend to go hand in hand, though be careful as this may not usually be the case for some companies. A company with more years of experience is reliably stable as it has probably learned a lot from the ups and downs along the way. It should also keep its end of the deal by offering customers efficient services.
  • Insurance - Many may be lured to opt for companies that don't offer insurance covers as they see it as an extra burden. However, insurance is a great guard against unforeseen events like damage or theft.
  • Investment minimum - As seen from the list above, these companies have different investment minimums. Some companies like Birch Gold Group and American Hartford Gold have low investment minimums of $10,000, while GoldCo and Oxford Gold are set at $25,000. So, choose a company that you can comfortably afford its investment minimum costs
  • Storage options - The company should provide a secure location for your precious metal. No matter the names of the depositories, they should meet IRS-set rules for storing precious metals. A company with multiple storage locations allows you to choose ones that are convenient for you.
  • Security - Follow up to find out where your chosen company stores your precious metals. The storage location should be in place with zero or low crime rates and should have restricted access for additional security.

Conclusion

Investing in precious metals has increasingly become a preferred choice for investors to secure their financial future. Augusta Precious Metals is a reputable precious metal storage company that's won the trust of many investors thanks to its flawless services.

However, because of their high minimum investment fees, many people shy away from it and look for alternatives with similar services. The above list comprises the best Augusta Precious Metal Alternatives in the market you can count on. 

Jerry Garnes

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About the Author

Jerry Garnes is a seasoned writer in personal finance. His informative and insightful pieces have been featured by esteemed platforms like Bankrate, The Street, and Business Insider. In addition to his financial expertise, Jerry is a passionate poet and musician with a deep love for nature.

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