Disclosure: “The owners of this website may be paid to recommend Goldco or other companies. The content on this website, including any positive reviews of Goldco and other reviews, may not be neutral or independent.” Learn More
I’ve spent weeks comparing Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals firsthand. My analysis shows Goldco excels with its straightforward approach—perfect for newcomers to precious metals.
Augusta, however, won me over with its customized service and lasting customer relationships. Keep reading my breakdown to see which company best fits your approach before committing your hard-earned money.
Table of Contents
- 1 Quick Overview
- 2 What is Goldco?
- 3 What is Augusta Precious Metals?
- 4 Comparison of Goldco with Augusta Precious Metals
- 5 Which Company is the Right for You?
- 6 Conclusion
Quick Overview

- CEO: Trevor Gerszt
- BBB: 4.83/5 Out of 1,202 Customer Reviews
- Available Metals: Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium
- Minimum: $25,000
- Promotions: Get Up to $10,000 in Free Silver on Qualified Purchases
- Free Kit Available: Yes
What is Goldco?

Goldco is a leading provider specializing in helping customers include gold and silver in their retirement portfolios. These metals act as a safeguard against market volatility and economic uncertainties.
The company began by offering personalized guidance and educational resources on precious metals. Through steady growth, Goldco has established itself as an authority in retirement planning solutions.
Founder
Trevor Gerszt established Goldco over a decade ago, bringing his passion for precious metals and deep understanding of economic principles.
His vision centered on creating a trustworthy organization to safeguard retirement savings from major financial disruptions.
Location
Operating from its headquarters in Calabasas, California, Goldco extends its services nationwide. This strategic location places the company at the heart of America’s financial sector.
Mission and Reputation
Goldco focuses on delivering secure opportunities through gold and silver, specifically designed to enhance retirement planning strategies.
The organization has earned recognition for its exceptional customer service commitment, building a respected reputation through trustworthy practices and superior advisory expertise.
Endorsements
Many famous personalities support Goldco’s services:
- Sean Hannity consistently allocates a portion of his wealth to gold and silver, recommending Goldco as his preferred provider.
- Chuck Norris express full trust in Goldco, describing it as their exclusive choice for holding precious metals.
- Ben Stein praises Goldco’s reliability, highlighting their exceptional customer service and trustworthiness.
Accolades and Achievements
- Maintains an ‘A’ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- Holds prestigious ‘Triple A’ rating from Business Consumer Alliance.
- Achieved more than 6,000 5-star ratings from satisfied customers.
- Recognized by Money.com for superior customer service excellence in 2024.
- Secured 17th position on Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing private companies list for Pacific region in 2024.
- Awarded Gold Stevie recognition as 2024’s Fastest Growing Company.
- Proudly received the Inc. 5000 Award for seven years straight.
What is Augusta Precious Metals?

Augusta Precious Metals stands as a prominent company that focuses on gold and silver IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) and precious metals products for retirement savings. With 12 years of experience, they have established themselves as experts in the precious metals industry.
Founder
Isaac Nuriani founded Augusta Precious Metals with a vision to educate customers about precious metals and provide opportunities for retirement portfolio diversification.
Location
Operating from its headquarters in Casper, WY, US, Augusta Precious Metals serves customers nationwide through its robust online platform.
Reputation and Mission
The company maintains a solid reputation for transparency and honesty. They prioritize customer education about precious metals, helping customers understand both the benefits and risks of holding these assets.
Endorsements
Former NFL quarterback Joe Montana serves as a notable endorser of the company. His endorsement came after his financial advisors independently recommended Augusta’s services.
Media Mentions
Augusta has garnered recognition from prestigious publications, earning the title “Best Overall Gold IRA Company” from Money Magazine in 2023, which reinforces their position as an industry leader.
Educational Commitment
The company’s educational initiatives are led by Devlyn Steele, a Harvard-educated economist. They provide comprehensive learning resources including webinars, articles, and videos to help customers understand economic factors influencing precious metals markets.
Comparison of Goldco with Augusta Precious Metals
Both companies help customers manage retirement savings with precious metals, each offering a unique approach to achieving this goal.
Goldco specializes in streamlined metal transactions and provides clear guidance, while Augusta Precious Metals focuses on comprehensive educational resources and personalized consultation to support customer decisions.
Services
These companies specialize in precious metals, particularly through specialized gold and silver IRA accounts.
Here are the services offered by each company:
Goldco
- Types of Precious Metals IRAs: Goldco specializes in gold and silver retirement accounts, helping customers diversify their portfolios.
- Buyback Programs: They maintain a robust buyback service, allowing customers to sell their metals back to Goldco when desired.
- Education Resources: The company offers comprehensive learning materials and personalized guidance for precious metals.
- Storage and Custodian Services: They partner with trusted custodians and secure storage facilities, ensuring IRS compliance.
Augusta Precious Metals
- Types of Precious Metals IRAs: Augusta facilitates gold and silver IRA, managing purchases according to IRS guidelines.
- Buyback Programs: While not offering direct buybacks, Augusta guides customers through market-based selling processes.
- Education Resources: The company excels in customer education, providing expert consultations and regular webinars for informed decisions.
- Storage and Custodian Services: Augusta collaborates with respected custodians and uses IRS-approved facilities for secure metal storage.
Products
Both companies are leaders in the precious metals industry, offering extensive product options to support customers’ financial strategies.
Here’s a detailed look at their offerings:
Goldco

Types of Metals Offered
- Gold: Goldco markets premium gold coins and bars, featuring sought-after products like American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf, alongside their signature gold bars.
- Silver: Their silver collection includes many options, featuring the American Silver Eagle and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, appealing to both collectors and precious metals holders.
- Platinum and Palladium: While less common than gold and silver, Goldco also offers options for platinum and palladium enthusiasts.
Popular Products
Gold:
- American Gold Buffalo
- Gold American Eagle
- Gold American Eagle Proof
- Gold Maple Leaf
Silver:
- Silver American Eagle
- Silver Maple Leaf
- Silver Great Barrier Reef | Stingray
- Silver First Moon Landing
Precious Metals IRA: Goldco facilitates precious metals additions to retirement accounts within IRS guidelines. Their metal selection supports IRA diversification strategies.
Direct Sales: Beyond IRA services, Goldco allows direct physical metal purchases, offering tangible ways to hold gold and silver.
Augusta Precious Metals

Types of Metals Offered
- Gold: Augusta provides premium gold coins and bars including the American Eagle and Australian Kangaroo, which stand out for their exceptional design and market worth.
- Silver: The company offers a comprehensive range of silver products, featuring the British Silver Britannia and American Silver Eagle.
Popular Products
Gold:
- Gold American Eagle
- Gold American Buffalo
- Gold Canadian Maple Leaf
- Austrian 1 oz Gold Philharmonic BU
Silver:
- American Silver Eagle
- Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
- Austrian Philharmonic Silver
- America The Beautiful – 5oz Cumberland Gap
Precious Metals IRA: Augusta specializes in incorporating precious metals into IRAs, offering professional guidance and efficient processing. They emphasize educating customers about making informed decisions with metals.
Direct Sales: Augusta enables you to purchase physical metals for direct delivery, guaranteeing safe shipping to enhance personal collections beyond traditional markets.
Fees and Costs
For csutomers considering precious metal companies like these, understanding their pricing structure and associated fees is essential.
Here is a breakdown of potential fees and costs you may face with these companies:
Goldco
The required minimum purchase at Goldco to start a gold IRA is $25,000. Goldco’s preferred Custodian charges a flat annual account service fee which includes a one-time IRA account set-up fee of $50. as well as a $30 wire fee. Annual maintenance is $100, and storage is $150 for segregated storage or $100 for non-segregated storage.
Fees for gold storage and custodianship can vary depending on the company you select to handle these services (required by the IRS, as all IRA assets must be managed by a custodian). Depending on the Custodian, storage fees can range from $10 to $60 per month, or as a percentage of assets, from 0.35% to 1% annually.
Augusta Precious Metals
| Item: | Cost/Requirement: |
| One-Time Fees: | |
| – Custodian Application Fee | $50 |
| – First-Year Custodian Annual Fee | $100 |
| – First-Year Sample Depository Fee | $100 |
| – Total One-Time Setup Fee | $250 |
| Annual Fees (After First Year): | |
| – Custodian Annual Fee | $100 |
| – Sample Annual Storage Fee | $100 |
| – Total Recurring Annual Fees | $200 |
| Minimum Account: | |
| – Minimum Contribution | $50,000 |
| Payment Methods: | |
| – Bank Wire | No limit |
| – Personal Check | Up to $50,000 |
| – Retirement Rollover | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b) |
| Total Initial Cost: | |
| – Minimum Contribution + Setup Fee | $50,250 |
| Annual Costs After First Year: | $200 |
Storage Options
Precious metals requires careful consideration of storage options to ensure maximum security and protection of your valuable assets.
Here’s a detailed look at the storage solutions offered by both companies:
Goldco
Goldco partners with the Delaware Depository to provide secure storage for your gold and silver.
The facility maintains strict compliance with precious metals storage regulations. Its strategic location offers convenient accessibility while ensuring maximum security protocols.
Your Storage Choices
Goldco presents two storage alternatives for your precious metals:
- Non-Segregated Storage: This option stores your gold and silver alongside other customers’ holdings, providing a cost-effective way to secure your valuables.
- Segregated Storage: This premium option keeps your precious metals separate from others’ holdings, offering dedicated storage, enhanced security, and individual attention.
The choice between these storage options depends on your personal preferences and security requirements.
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals utilizes external storage facilities rather than maintaining their own. They recommend the Delaware Depository, which carries Lloyd’s of London insurance coverage up to $1 billion.
For customers seeking alternative locations, Augusta offers storage facilities across major cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York.
They collaborate with established custodians such as Equity Trust, GoldStar Trust Company, and Kingdom Trust to safeguard your assets.
These storage facilities feature state-of-the-art security systems and maintain proper licensing. Augusta strategically positions your precious metals away from financial and political hubs, while ensuring accessibility and viewing opportunities upon request.
Customer Service and Support
A comprehensive overview of customer service and support offerings.
Goldco
Goldco specializes in precious metals, particularly gold and silver, while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.
- Precious Metals Specialists: Each customer is assigned a dedicated specialist who guides them throughout the process of holding and managing precious metals.
- Educational Resources: The company offers comprehensive materials, including articles and videos, to help customers better understand precious metals.
- Support Hotline: Immediate assistance is available through their dedicated phone support system.
Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta stands out as a premier precious metals company, known for transparency and clear communication.
- Metals Specialist: Customers receive guidance from knowledgeable professionals who provide personalized assistance.
- Virtual Education: The company offers online educational sessions led by experts to enhance understanding of precious metals.
- Support Team: Augusta maintains a transparent fee structure and provides responsive customer support for all inquiries.
These companies have established strong reputations among their customers. Their approach combines individualized guidance, educational resources, and transparent communication.
Such commitment to customer service has resulted in high satisfaction rates and positive testimonials from their customer base.
3rd Party Reviews
Both companies have received positive reviews from independent sources, highlighting their excellent customer service and straightforward precious metals procedures.
A comparison table shows their performance across various review platforms:
| Platform: | Goldco: | Augusta Precious Metals: |
| Better Business Bureau: | A+ with 1,202 reviews | A+ with 86 reviews |
| TrustLink: | 4.8/5 from 254 reviews | 4.9/5 from 292 reviews |
| Trustpilot: | 4.8/5 from 1,607 reviews | 4.8/5 from 188 reviews |
| ConsumerAffairs: | 4.6/5 from 1,691 reviews | 4.9/5 from 149 reviews |
| Google Reviews | 4.9/5 from 2,988 reviews | 4.9/5 from 549 reviews |
Understanding Pros and Cons
A detailed comparison helps make informed decisions between these companies.
Let’s examine their advantages and disadvantages:
Goldco
Pros:
- Gold and Silver Expertise: Goldco specializes in precious metals, offering expert guidance to customers.
- Easy Setup Process: The company provides streamlined procedures for holding metals, including retirement fund transfers.
- Educational Resources: Comprehensive learning materials are available to benefit both newcomers and experienced customers.
- Strong Reputation: Years of positive customer feedback and recommendations have established their credibility.
- Secure Storage Solutions: Partnership with reliable depositories ensures safe storage of precious metal.
Cons:
- Limited Metal Options: Their product range is smaller compared to other companies in the market.
- High Initial Requirement: The required starting amount may be challenging for some potential customers.
Augusta Precious Metals
Pros:
- Transparent Pricing: Augusta maintains clear fee structures, eliminating hidden costs and building trust.
- Educational Focus: Regular webinars and personalized learning sessions help customers understand market dynamics.
- Consistent Customer Care: They provide reliable support throughout the process of holding and managing precious metals.
- Proven Customer Satisfaction: Positive reviews demonstrate their commitment to service excellence.
Cons:
- Metal Selection Constraints: Focusing only on gold and silver may limit diversification options.
- Website Information Gaps: The online platform could benefit from more detailed product information, requiring direct contact for complete details.
Which Company is the Right for You?
These gold IRA companies offer unique advantages, and your choice should align with your financial goals and personal preferences.
Goldco stands out as a perfect match for newcomers seeking easy-to-follow guidance and efficient rollover procedures, providing dedicated support at every step.
However, customers seeking extensive metal selections or lower initial amounts may need to explore other options.
Augusta Precious Metals is well-suited for those who value detailed pricing information and ongoing educational resources, making it ideal for long-term planning.
The company may not be the best fit for customers wanting quick setup or a wider range of metals. Your choice should reflect priorities regarding simplicity, education, and portfolio diversity.
Conclusion
Examining these companies shows they both provide excellent opportunities for holding precious metals.
Goldco has built its reputation through quality educational resources and strong customer focus, while Augusta Precious Metals stands out for transparent, personalized service.
These companies are reliable options for customers looking to diversify their holdings with gold and silver, though the best choice depends on individual goals and preferences.



