Augusta Precious Metals Alternatives (2026): 4 Options and When Augusta Still Wins
Augusta Precious Metals alternatives are worth a look in three cases: you have less than $50,000 to move, you want platinum or palladium in the IRA, or you simply want a second quote before you sign. For each case there is a sensible option below, with its minimum, its fees and the one thing we would check first. If none of the three applies to you, Augusta is still the company we would call, and we explain why near the end.
Why people look for an Augusta alternative
Most people who search for an alternative are not unhappy with Augusta. They have run into one of its limits.
The $50,000 minimum. Augusta asks for at least $50,000 on the first purchase, whether it is an IRA or a cash purchase. If your 401(k) or IRA holds $30,000, Augusta is simply not an option yet, and that is the most common reason people move on.
Gold and silver only. Augusta does not sell platinum or palladium. Most people do not need them, but if you want a small slice of either in the IRA, you will need a different dealer.
Wanting a second opinion. This is the best reason of the three. A gold IRA is a large, one-time purchase, and the only way to know whether a price is fair is to see another quote for the same coins on the same day.
Notice what is not on the list. Augusta's record is clean on the points we can check: an A+ BBB rating, accreditation since 2015, and no SEC or CFTC enforcement action naming the company when we searched in October 2026. Our Augusta complaints page has the details.
Augusta Precious Metals alternatives compared
| Company | Minimum | Metals | Account fees | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Precious Metals (for reference) | $50,000 | Gold, silver | Published: $50 setup, $235 a year; up to 10 years paid (per Augusta) | Free education session before you buy |
| Goldco | Generally $25,000 | Mainly gold, silver | Published: about $225 to $275 a year | Bonus silver promotions; settlement over marketing texts |
| Birch Gold Group | $5,000 per Birch Gold | Gold, silver, platinum, palladium | Published on its blog; first year paid on transfers over $50,000 | CNBC Select listed a $10,000 minimum |
| American Hartford Gold | $10,000 for an IRA | Gold, silver, platinum | Vary by account size | No liquidation fees on buyback; not guaranteed |
| Advantage Gold | Not published | Gold, silver, platinum, palladium | Not published; ask | Reported a customer data breach in 2026 |
Sources: Augusta FAQ; Goldco, Gold IRA FAQs; Goldco, How much does a gold IRA cost; Birch Gold, FAQs; CNBC Select (updated Sept. 1, 2026); American Hartford Gold, Gold IRA FAQs; Advantage Gold, FAQs. Checked October 2026.
The 4 alternatives, and who each one suits
1. Goldco
Best fit: $25,000 to $50,000, gold and silver
Goldco is the closest thing to Augusta for someone who is not at $50,000 yet. Its gold IRA minimum is generally $25,000, it publishes its account fees (about $225 to $275 a year in total), and it holds an A+ with the BBB, accredited since 2011. It often runs bonus silver promotions on qualified accounts.
Check first: Goldco does not publish its markup on the metal, so ask for the price per coin and the spot price on the same quote, and read the promotion terms. It also agreed to a class action settlement over marketing text messages; the official settlement site has the details.
Read more: Goldco review and Augusta vs Goldco.
2. Birch Gold Group
Best fit: smaller accounts, or anyone who wants platinum and palladium
Birch Gold says its IRA minimum is $5,000, the lowest among the companies we cover, although CNBC Select listed $10,000 in September 2026, so confirm the figure on your first call. It sells all four IRA metals, names Equity Trust or GoldStar Trust as custodians, and pays the first year of fees on transfers over $50,000.
Check first: the fee-free period is one year, not ten, so ask for the yearly custodian and storage fees from year two in writing.
Read more: Birch Gold Group review and Augusta vs Birch Gold.
3. American Hartford Gold
Best fit: $10,000 to $50,000 and a quick setup
American Hartford Gold starts at $10,000 for an IRA, offers gold, silver and platinum, and says it charges no liquidation fees when you sell back to it. It holds an A+ with the BBB, accredited since 2016, and says an account takes about one business day to open.
Check first: its fees vary by account size and are not on a public schedule, and the buyback is a commitment, not a guarantee. Get both in writing.
Read more: Augusta vs American Hartford Gold.
4. Advantage Gold
Best fit: people who want all four metals and will ask for every number
Advantage Gold lists gold, silver, platinum and palladium, works with STRATA Trust or Equity Trust, and holds an A+ with the BBB. It does not publish a minimum or a fee schedule on its FAQ page.
Check first: in March 2026 it filed notices with state attorneys general about a network intrusion affecting about 7,960 people. If you go ahead, ask how it now protects customer data, and get the minimum and fees in writing.
Read more: Augusta vs Advantage Gold.
Sources: Goldco FAQs; Goldco fees page; Goldco settlement website; Birch Gold FAQs; Birch Gold, Gold IRA fees; CNBC Select; American Hartford Gold FAQs; American Hartford Gold, Our commitment; Advantage Gold FAQs; Vermont Attorney General, Advantage Gold notice. BBB details from each company's BBB profile, as cited in our reviews.
Which one fits your situation
| Your situation | Start with | Also compare |
|---|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | Birch Gold (confirm its minimum) | Wait and add to the account until it is larger |
| $10,000 to $25,000 | American Hartford Gold or Birch Gold | Get both quotes the same day |
| $25,000 to $50,000 | Goldco | American Hartford Gold, Birch Gold |
| $50,000 or more, gold and silver | Augusta Precious Metals | One other quote, for the price per coin |
| Want platinum or palladium | Birch Gold | Advantage Gold; American Hartford Gold for platinum |
One honest note on the first row: with less than $10,000, the fixed yearly fees take a bigger bite. $235 a year is 2.35% of $10,000 and 0.47% of $50,000. That does not make a small gold IRA wrong, but it is worth doing the math first. Our gold IRA fees guide shows how.
When Augusta is still the better choice
If you have $50,000 or more and you only want gold and silver, the alternatives above give up something Augusta offers. Augusta publishes its account fees ($50 to set up, $125 a year to the custodian, $110 a year for storage), says it pays the yearly fees for up to 10 years on every account, charges no management fee of its own, and starts with a free one-on-one education session before you buy anything.
Ten years of account fees on a $50,000 IRA: with Augusta's offer applied for the full 10 years, you pay the $50 setup fee and nothing else for the account itself. Without it, the same fees come to $2,400 ($50 plus $235 times 10). Goldco's published fees over the same period come to roughly $2,300 to $2,800, before any promotion.
Confirm with Augusta how many fee-free years your account gets, and get it in the paperwork. Our Augusta fees and minimum guide has the full breakdown.
Source: Augusta FAQ; Goldco fees page. Calculations are ours.
Six questions to ask any gold IRA company
Whichever company you call, Augusta included, ask these and get the answers in writing:
- What is the minimum, and does rolled-over money count toward it?
- What are the setup fee and every yearly fee, and who charges each one?
- What is the price of each coin you are quoting, and what is the spot price right now?
- What does the promotion require, and does it change the price I pay?
- Which custodian and depository will hold the metal, and is it segregated or commingled?
- If I sell back to you, how is the price set, and are there any fees?
A company that answers all six without pushing back is usually one you can work with. If you are still deciding between dealers, our Best Gold IRA Companies of 2026 ranking puts them all side by side, and our gold IRA scams guide covers the warning signs.
Augusta alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Augusta Precious Metals?
There is no single best one; it depends on why you are looking. For $25,000 to $50,000, Goldco is the closest match, with published account fees. For a smaller account, Birch Gold says its IRA minimum is $5,000 and American Hartford Gold starts at $10,000. For platinum or palladium, Birch Gold and Advantage Gold both offer them.
Is there a gold IRA company with a lower minimum than Augusta?
Yes. Augusta requires $50,000. Goldco generally requires $25,000, American Hartford Gold $10,000 for an IRA, and Birch Gold says $5,000, though some outlets list $10,000. Advantage Gold does not publish a minimum.
Which Augusta alternatives offer platinum and palladium?
Birch Gold and Advantage Gold list gold, silver, platinum and palladium. American Hartford Gold lists gold, silver and platinum. Augusta sells gold and silver only.
Are Augusta Precious Metals alternatives cheaper?
Not on published account fees. Augusta lists $50 to set up, then $235 a year for the custodian and storage, and says it pays the yearly fees for up to 10 years. Goldco publishes about $225 to $275 a year. The larger cost at any company is the spread on the metal, so ask each one for the price per coin and the spot price on the same quote.
Should I get quotes from more than one gold IRA company?
Yes. Ask at least two companies for the minimum, every yearly fee, the price per coin and the spot price in writing, on the same day. It is the simplest way to see the real difference between them.
Get two quotes, then decide
If you are moving $50,000 or more, start with Augusta's free kit; it sets out the fees before any sales call. Then put one other quote next to it. The numbers will make the choice for you.
Get the Free Gold IRA Info KitFor balances of $50,000 or more.
Or read our full Augusta Precious Metals review