Independent research
Augusta Precious Metals Reviews
Last reviewed 2026-08-12
Augusta Precious Metals has facilitated gold and silver IRAs, including 401(k) rollovers and IRA transfers, since 2012. This independent review brings its published fees, third-party ratings, complaint records, customer review patterns, and comparisons together with sources you can check.
Speak with Augusta: 888-610-6417
Our verdict
Augusta is a strong choice for retirement savers with $50,000 or more in eligible IRA or 401(k) assets who want a guided, education-first process with published account fees. It is the wrong choice if you can't meet the $50,000 minimum, want to buy metals online yourself, or want crypto or other assets Augusta doesn't offer.
Suitability
Who Augusta Is Best For — and Who It Isn't
A good fit if…
- You have $50,000 or more in an eligible IRA, 401(k), or similar retirement account
- You want education and a clear explanation of costs and risks before any purchase
- You prefer a dedicated representative over a self-service website
- You want physical gold or silver specifically
- You want help handling custodian paperwork for a rollover or transfer
Probably not a fit if…
- You have less than $50,000 to commit — the minimum is firm
- You want a fully self-service online trading platform
- You want crypto or other assets Augusta doesn't offer (Augusta does offer platinum and palladium but doesn't promote it)
- You are looking for short-term speculative trading
A credible review should help you rule a company out, not just in. If the minimum or the phone-based model doesn't suit you, our comparisons cover alternatives with lower minimums and online ordering.
Company factsheet
Augusta at a Glance
- Account setup
- $50 one-time
- Annual administration
- $125 / yrIRA custodian
- Annual storage
- $110 / yr
- Fee promotion
- Up to 10 years coveredSetup, custodian & storage fees; everyone qualifies
- Service model
- Education-first, phone-based
- Supported metals
- Gold and silver (platinum and palladium if requested)
- Preferred custodian
- Equity Trust
- Preferred storage
- Delaware Depository
- Shipping
- Free, insured
- Guarantees
- 7-day money-back · highest buyback
- Headquarters
- Casper, Wyoming
- BBB registered
- Since 2015
As of 2026-08-12 · sources on the linked research pages
Augusta highlights
Why Investors Choose Augusta
Education before sales
Augusta positions itself as a place to learn about gold IRAs first — a no-pressure process built around a one-on-one web conference.
Salaried, no-commission educators
The people who walk you through the process are salaried staff who don't earn commission; they explain costs and risks as well as benefits.
Recognized by Money and Investopedia
Named “Best Overall Gold IRA Company” by Money magazine (2022–2026) and “Best for Transparency” by Investopedia.
A+ BBB and AAA BCA ratings
Top ratings with the Better Business Bureau and Business Consumer Alliance, plus more than 4,000 independent 5-star ratings across platforms.
Straightforward pricing
Published account fees, and a promotion covering setup, custodian, and storage fees for up to 10 years that every customer qualifies for.
Buyback guarantee
Augusta describes its buyback program as the industry's highest buyback guarantee — you can offer metals back to Augusta when you sell.
7-day money-back guarantee
A 100% money-back guarantee during the first 7 days after opening an account, plus a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Scam-awareness education
Augusta teaches customers to recognize “free silver” offers with hidden costs, celebrity-endorsement marketing that reduces account value, and high-pressure tactics used elsewhere in the industry.
These highlights summarize Augusta's published company information. Third-party ratings and records are presented separately below — see how we research.
Independent evidence
What Third-Party Platforms Report
- Consumer watchdogBetter Business BureauA+ rating · 4.93 / 5134 customer reviews; accredited since February 2015View sourceas of 2026-08-12
- Consumer watchdogBusiness Consumer AllianceAAA rating145 customer reviewsView sourceas of 2026-08-12
- PublicationMoney“Best Overall” gold IRA companyListed best overall on Money's ranking of gold IRA companiesView sourceas of 2026-08-12
Each rating belongs to the platform that published it — we do not combine them into a single score. Follow the source links to read the underlying reviews, including critical ones. Full analysis in our complaints review.
“Thanks to Augusta, I feel confident about retirement. I finally have the peace of mind to travel, enjoy time with my family, and embrace the next chapter without worrying about my savings.”
The research
Dig Into the Full Augusta Review
- FeesEvery published cost in dollars, including the 10-year fee promotion.
- Pros & ConsThe genuine advantages — and the reasons Augusta may not fit you.
- ComplaintsWhat the BBB and BCA records actually show, with sources.
- Is Augusta Legit?The verifiable evidence behind the company's legitimacy.
- How It WorksThe step-by-step process, from web conference to storage.
- ComparisonsAugusta vs Goldco, American Hartford Gold, and Birch Gold Group.
For broader gold IRA context beyond Augusta, our research site GoldRetirePro covers how depository storage works and rollover mechanics.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
- Is this Augusta Precious Metals' official website?
- No. This is an independently operated affiliate research site. We are not owned or operated by Augusta Precious Metals, and we may earn compensation if you contact Augusta through links or phone numbers on this site. Augusta's official website is augustapreciousmetals.com.
- Is Augusta Precious Metals legitimate?
- Augusta has operated since 2012, holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and AAA with the Business Consumer Alliance, and works with a regulated custodian (Equity Trust) and an established depository (Delaware Depository). Our full legitimacy review examines the evidence in detail.
- What is the minimum investment?
- $50,000 in eligible IRA or 401(k) assets. Augusta does not lower this minimum, which rules the company out for many savers — our review is explicit about who should look elsewhere.
- What does an Augusta gold IRA cost?
- A $50 one-time account setup fee, $125 per year for custodian administration, and $110 per year for depository storage. Augusta runs a promotion covering setup, custodian, and storage fees for up to 10 years. Dealer spreads on metals purchases apply, as at any dealer.
- How does the free gold IRA guide work?
- Augusta provides a free guide explaining how precious metals IRAs work. Requesting it involves no obligation. If you request it through this site, we may receive compensation from Augusta at no cost to you.
Next step
Ready to Learn More About Augusta?
Start with the free guide or a no-pressure conversation — Augusta's educators are salaried, not commissioned. And if Augusta isn't the right fit, our comparisons cover the alternatives.
Or call 888-610-6417