Short answer: Augusta Precious Metals scores 8.1 in our Gold IRA rankings and Goldco scores 6.0. Augusta publishes its fees and has the better complaint record. Goldco lets you start with half the money. If you’re moving $50,000 or more, Augusta is the stronger pick on our numbers. If you have $25,000 to $49,999, Goldco is the one of the two you can open.

Side by side

Fees

Augusta lists its fees on its website: a $50 setup fee, then $125 a year for the custodian and $110 for storage and insurance. That’s $285 the first year and $235 each year after.

Goldco doesn’t post its fees. Independent reviewers report about $500 for the first year. Ask Goldco for its full fee schedule in writing before you sign.

Neither figure includes the markup on the metal itself, which is usually the biggest cost of a Gold IRA. Ask both companies for the price over spot in writing. Gold IRA fees explained →

Minimum investment

This is the biggest practical difference. Augusta needs $50,000. Goldco needs $25,000. If you’re moving less than $50,000, Augusta isn’t an option.

Complaint record

Augusta had 1 BBB complaint in three years, about 0.7 per 100 reviews, one of the best records we track. Goldco had 72, about 4.2 per 100. Goldco is a much larger company, which is why we measure complaints per 100 reviews rather than in total. Even on that basis, Augusta’s record is clearly better.

Selling your metal back

Neither company publishes buyback pricing. Augusta says it charges no separate liquidation fee and prices offers by product. Get each company’s buyback terms in writing before you buy.

Promotions

Augusta says it pays up to 10 years of custodian and depository fees on each account. Goldco’s bonus silver applies only to qualifying orders of its own “premium coins,” which usually carry a higher markup than plain bullion. We don’t count promotions in our scores. Get the conditions in writing, because a promotion can be offset by a higher markup on the metal.

What 10 years of fees cost

Over 10 years, the account fees end up close: about $2,400 at Augusta ($285 the first year, then $235 a year) and about $2,525 at Goldco (about $500, then about $225 a year with shared storage, as reported). That’s roughly $125 apart over a decade.

The bigger number is the markup on the metal. On a $50,000 purchase, every 1% of markup costs $500 up front, more than two years of Augusta’s account fees. That’s why the price over spot, in writing, matters more than the fee table.

Which one should you choose?

Choose Augusta if you’re moving $50,000 or more and want published fees and the stronger complaint record. Read our Augusta review.

Choose Goldco if you have $25,000 to $49,999 and you’re comfortable getting fees by phone. Read our Goldco review.

Consider neither if you have under $25,000. Birch Gold Group (score 8.2) starts at $5,000.

Visit Augusta Precious Metals →Visit Goldco →

Or see all seven companies side by side: Gold IRA companies ranked on what they actually charge →

Frequently asked questions

Is Augusta or Goldco cheaper? On published and reported account fees, Augusta is lower: $285 the first year against about $500 at Goldco. Over 10 years the gap shrinks to about $125. The markup on the metal usually matters more.

What is the minimum to open an IRA with Augusta or Goldco? Augusta’s minimum is $50,000. Goldco’s is generally $25,000.

Which has fewer complaints? Augusta: 1 BBB complaint in three years (0.7 per 100 reviews) against Goldco’s 72 (4.2 per 100).

Do Augusta and Goldco buy back metals? Both say they buy back metals, but neither publishes buyback pricing. Get terms in writing.

Are Augusta and Goldco legitimate? Both hold A+ BBB ratings, and we found no regulatory action against either in the last five years.

Sources: BBB profiles for Augusta Precious Metals and Goldco, checked October 21, 2026 · Augusta Precious Metals FAQ, checked October 21, 2026 · Goldco website and precious metals IRA page, checked October 21, 2026 · Independent reviewer fee reports for Goldco: Yahoo Finance, May 2026 · TipRanks, 2026

About this guide

Written by Mark Sandulli, founder of BestGoldPrice.com. Mark is not a financial advisor, tax professional, attorney or precious-metals dealer. This guide is general information based on public sources, not financial, tax or legal advice, and it may contain errors or be out of date. Precious metals can lose value. Confirm prices, fees and rules with the company and a licensed professional before you buy. We may earn a commission from some links. Read our full disclaimer.