Augusta Precious Metals specializes in gold and silver investments. One of the best aspects about choosing this precious metal IRA company is the personal touch. The trade-off you get for paying a high minimum investment ($50,000) is a concierge level of service for any concerns or questions you have about your investments.
If you’re considering gold investing to protect your financial future, you’re already taking a smart step. But once you’ve made the decision to invest in precious metals, the real key is choosing the right precious metals company to partner with.
Augusta Precious Metals has often been mentioned as one of the best gold IRA companies in the market, and it’s not difficult to see why. They have earned deserved praise from thousands of satisfied customers. But let me tell you, having analysed gold IRA investments for some time now, good reviews is just the beginning.
Before you invest your hard-earned money, it’s a good idea to look more closely at what the company does, how they do business, and whether they’re the best choice for your particular needs. That’s what this guide will enable you to do.
Key Takeaways
- Augusta Precious Metals carries a $50,000 minimum precious metal investment but offers upper-tier educational resources and lifetime account support to justify this higher entry point.
- Founded in 2012, Augusta has built a fantastic reputation with no complaints filed with the BBB or BCA during their decade-plus in business.
- Augusta’s upfront pricing structure eliminates hidden fees, with clearly defined costs for setup, storage, and insurance (2025 Investopedia winner for “Most Transparent Pricing”).
- Rated “Best Overall Gold IRA Company” by Money Magazine.
- The company sells only gold and silver products, specializing in IRA-eligible precious metals rather than dividing their expertise across different investment vehicles.
Trustpilot Reviews
Augusta Precious Metals
4.8
210 Reviews
I was treated with respect and…
I was treated with respect and professionalism from set up to cash out.
Everything went smoothly with no bumps.
Everything went smoothly with no bumps. Staff knew what they talked about. 9/17/25
EXCELLENT customer service.
Cierra and Megan were extremely patient, helpful, thorough, knowledgeable, and friendly. EXCELLENT customer service.
Here’s my detailed review of Augusta Precious Metals, what they are, what they do, pros, criticisms, fee structure, and who they’re best (and worst) for. As always, this is informational, not financial advice — you should do your own diligence before investing in APM.
What is Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals (or just “Augusta”) is a U.S. company that specializes in helping American residents invest in physical precious metals — mainly gold and silver — typically through Gold/Silver IRAs (self‑directed IRAs that invest in physical metals). Their services extend from paperwork help to the selection of IRA‑eligible metals, establishing secure IRS‑approved storage, and bullion and coin buying.
They emphasize customer service and education, to make sure investors are aware of what they are doing and what they are buying. Many reviews attest to this as a core element of their value proposition.
What They Provide: Services & Products
The following is a rundown of what Augusta provides:
Gold and Silver IRAs: They help in rolling over retirement accounts or creating new IRAs where physical gold or silver is held, in accordance with IRS regulations.
Bullion & Coin Purchases: Outside (or inside) IRAs, investors can purchase bullion bars, coins (gold & silver), etc.
Storage: Secure, insured IRS‑approved depository storage facilities are offered. Storage can be non‑segregated or segregated (where your metals are stored separately).
Custody / Custodian Services: They work through custodians at the IRA end. They do the majority of the paperwork — the majority of reviews cite that they do ~95% of the paperwork.
Customer Education: They offer guides, webinars/web conferences, support to educate you on how precious metals IRAs work, what coins/bars to select, etc.
Buy‑back Programs: Some sources suggest they offer buyback programs (in case you must sell back your metals), but terms vary, and not all coins or metals may qualify.
Gold Investment Company Reviews
Fee Structure
Fees are always a significant factor with IRAs and precious metals. Here’s what is found for Augusta (rates may adjust, so always verify current ones):
Fee Type\tAmount / Typical Range\tNotes / Conditions
Account setup fee ~$50 One-time custodian fee to establish a Gold (or Silver) IRA.
Annual custodian / maintenance fee ~US$80-$125 Varies by custodian and service level. Some sources cite ~$80; others slightly higher depending on services.
Annual storage (depository) fee ~US$100 for standard/non-segregated; more for segregated storage (~US$150) Storage fee differs whether you choose segregated vs shared; depository location.
First‐year total fees Approximately US$250‑US$300 Includes setup + first year’s custodian + storage. For some accounts, first year may be a bit more.
Subsequent yearly fees ~$200‑250 annually Custodian + storage; assuming you hold the account.
Minimum Investment Requirement US$50,000 for gold or silver IRAs This is high compared to many competitors; not everyone will be able to make the cut.
Some additional notes
Augusta has been known to waive or reduce fees based on investment level on a case-by-case basis.
They do not normally charge “management fees” (percentage of account value) aside from custodian/maintenance/storage fees.
What They Do Well — Strengths
From review analysis, the following are some areas Augusta seems to excel in:
Strong Reputation & Trust
Augusta has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Very high customer satisfaction on many review websites (Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs, BCA, etc.). Many reviewers praise the level of support and education.
Seemingly very few unresolved complaints; many state there are basically none serious negative legal issues or complaints.
Customer Education & Transparency (Partially)
They seem to spend more time than many competitors explaining the process, being patient with customers’ questions, helping with paperwork, etc.
Fee structure (setup, custodian, storage) is adequately disclosed in most publications.
High‑Quality Storage Facilities
Use of IRS‑approved, insured depositories. Segregated storage as a premium option is offered.
Service & Support
Most reviews mention “no sales pressure,” “patient,” “responsive,” “helpful,” and that staff take time to explain.
They do much of the paperwork for the client (some sources suggest up to ~95%) which reduces friction.
Buy‑back / Resale Option
There is also a reference to buy‑back programs for certain metals, offering more liquidity options than some firms do. Even if terms are not always clear, this is a nice touch.
Criticisms / Possible Drawbacks
No firm is flawless; the following is what reviews and third‑party reports cite as weaknesses, trade‑offs, or risks with Augusta:
High Minimum Investment
The $50,000 minimum for Gold/Silver IRAs is steep. Most recreational investors, or beginners, may not be willing or in a position to invest that.
In non‑IRA (direct bullion purchases), in certain cases, there may be high minimums as well.
Pricing / Premiums on Metals
The markup (premium over spot price) for bullion/coins is greater than that of some competitors. According to some reviews, Augusta’s prices on metals are “premium” (as in, more expensive) compared to others.
Also, “precious metals pricing is not listed online,” so each quote is personalized (based on market conditions, quantity) which makes comparison‑shopping less convenient.
Limited Online Ordering / Less Flexibility
Several sources suggest that you cannot simply put and fill orders online for all products/services; more of the process is completed over the phone or custom quote.
It can be frustrating for investors who are used to full online, automatic ordering and real‑time quotes.
Fees Are Not Always Waived for Smaller Accounts
Whereas Augusta offers fee waiver or reduced fees for larger amounts under some circumstances, smaller investors will not qualify, so they will have to bear full setup fee + custodial + storage fee.
Product Range Limitations
There is a concentration very much on bullion: silver & gold. They don’t give as much importance to collectible, numismatic coins that can be of value to collectors who are searching for rare/limited coins.
Buy‑back is only for certain metals or coins, some customers note; not all items may be eligible or equally valued.
High Cost for Some Investors
Fees + product premiums can be a high percentage of the investment for small accounts (near the minimum), which can eat into net returns or make diversification more challenging.
Also, when overall cost (premium + shipping + storage + custodian) is compared, the prices can be more than firms that do less, but offer less hands‑on service.
Pricing Transparency & Fine Print Issues
Some aspects of Augusta’s model that must be closely weighed or that are most called into question are:
Whereas account fees (setup, custodian, storage) are relatively well‑publicized, the metal cost premium is less transparent. As bullion/coin prices fluctuate depending on market, quantity, etc., markup is only normally quoted when you request a quote. That apples‑to‑apples comparison with other dealers is then more challenging.
Buyback terms can differ depending on the type of metal, condition, market demand, etc. Resale value can be more uncertain if you purchase rare or unusual coins.
Storage services (non‑segregated vs segregated) have cost implications; in some instances, the more secure facility can carry an extra charge, and you’ll want to look at what insurance, liability, and access policies are offered.
There may also be delays in time: in storage, in delivery, in shipping paperwork, in IRA rollovers. Most of these are industry-wide, but still worth asking about. Some reviews do mention delivery or processing delays.
How Augusta Compares to Other Companies
Compared to other precious metals IRA firms, Augusta places itself more on the premium / higher end of service, support, and minimum investment. If we place factors on a spectrum, here’s where Augusta tends to land:
Feature\tAugusta Strengths\tWhere Others May Excel
Customer Service & Education Among the best — many reviews praise the staff, educational materials, and assistance with IRA setup process.
Firms with lower overhead may offer less personal service but reduced premiums.
Reputation / Trust Very strong — high BBB ratings, few complaints, positive reviews.
Older firms with longer histories may have more established reputations but not necessarily better service.
Fees (for larger accounts) Fees are competitive for what you get (service, support, paperwork, etc.). For larger amounts, cost‑per‑dollar less. Fee waiver benefits for larger investment help.
Companies with lower minimums can have cheaper entry points; premium fees might be lower in some cases.
Minimum Investment
High — $50,000 serves as a barrier to entry that enables clients to be more invested, and the business can provide high touch service.
Lower minimum competitors (some $5,000‑$25,000) permit less serious/smaller investors to invest.
Metal Pricing / Premiums
Tend to be higher premium over spot; more customized quotes.
Some dealers accept more margin, lower markups, or fixed pricing online.
Transparency Transparent on storage and account fees; transparent with process explanation and document showing; less transparent on metal premium until quote. Some rivals do better with all prices online, but others may be worse on education. Overall Evaluation
In total, here is a fair overview of Augusta Precious Metals:
Legitimacy and Trustworthiness: Strong. There are many indicators (BBB rating, customer reviews, trust on multiple review/reputation websites) that score Augusta high. It appears to be one of the more legitimate companies in the Gold IRA / bullion business.
Value for Money (to some investors): Good, if you’re investing a lot. If you’re at the minimum and you enjoy the educational support, paperwork support, secure storage, etc., you likely get good value. However, if you’re a small investor, the upfront fees and product premiums can eat into relative return.
Best Suited For: Investors who want personalized service, enjoy being guided through the process, need good support, and are ready to invest $50,000 or more. Also, investors who enjoy transparency with account fees and good storage.
Less Suitable For: Smaller investors, or those who just want cheap bullion with lowest premium and don’t particularly care about support or education. Also those wanting to transact fully online with instant quotes or low minimums or wanting a large selection of rare/collectible coins.
What to Ask / What to Check If Considering Augusta
If you choose to use Augusta — or want to compare them with others — the following are the key questions and issues you must get clarified:
Ask for a comprehensive quote with premium (over spot). What is the markup on the metal itself? What does that equate to in dollar terms for the quantity you want?
Describe storage type and fee: Segregated vs non‑segregated; depository location; insurance and liability; access policies (can you visit, verify, etc.).
Learn about custodian and depository choice: Who do they use? Are they IRS‑approved and reputable?
Ask about buy‑back terms: Which coins/metals qualify? What are the buy‑back prices relative to spot / market? Are there liquidation fees?
Minimum investment: Check whether $50,000 is absolute; whether it’s total across all existing IRAs or particular products; what happens if you invest less than recall.
Fee waivers / promotions: Do fee waivers apply for metal combinations / account size / loyalty? For how long do waivers last? What qualifies?
Turnaround times & process flow: From setup agreement to funds in the IRA; from ordering metal to delivery to storage; paperwork, what portions are your responsibility, theirs.
Customer reviews, especially recent negatives: Even firms with great reputation will have some dissatisfied customers. Search for recurring themes (hidden fees, delays, mis‑communication).
Summary
Augusta Precious Metals is a reputable competitor in the Gold/Silver IRA / bullion investing space with a history of excellent service, sound education, transparency in most (if not all) aspects of their cost structure, and decent customer and regulatory/trust organization ratings. Their business model is focused on more serious investors (or those who want serious treatment) — not bargain basement, “just get gold cheap” buyers. Their $50,000 minimum, persuasive premiums, and forceful service focus come at a cost to you in friendliness and simplicity.
If you have the funds and like a partner that holds your hand through the precious metals IRAs process, Augusta seems like a great option. If, however, you are more concerned with saving every cent of cost, or are investing a smaller amount, you might find other dealers to be more value (in terms of metal price) but with maybe less service or hand-holding.