Goldco Review 2026
Goldco makes gold IRA investing accessible with excellent support and streamlined setup.
Partner disclosure: Augusta Precious Metals, our featured partner, fulfills kit requests made through this site. This review is for education and comparison.
- Our score: 4.8/5.0
- Minimum investment: $25,000
- Free promo: Free 1/10 oz to 1/4 oz Gold Eagle (spot value $340 to $850) (threshold $25,000+)
- Custodian: GoldStar Trust
- Depository: Delaware Depository / Brink's
- BBB: A+ · Founded 2006
A $25,000 entry point and a free Gold Eagle
Goldco lists a free 1/10 oz to 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle for accounts of $25,000 or more, with a spot value between $340 and $850. The range matters. The site data does not say which size goes with which deposit, so ask Goldco to state the exact coin, its weight and the funding level that earns it. At the $340 end, the coin equals about 1.4% of a $25,000 deposit.
Goldco sits in the middle of the five companies on entry cost. It asks for half of Augusta's $50,000, $5,000 more than Noble Gold's $20,000, $15,000 more than the $10,000 minimum at American Hartford Gold and $20,000 more than the $5,000 at Birch Gold Group. This site calls Goldco the best choice for beginners, citing a streamlined setup and an easy rollover.
From the first call to a funded IRA
- Request the free kit through this page and read its fee sheet before you speak to anyone.
- Talk with a Goldco representative. The site notes that support is primarily phone-based, so keep notes and ask for each figure again by email.
- Open a self-directed IRA with GoldStar Trust, the custodian this site lists for Goldco.
- Roll over a 401(k), 403(b), TSP or IRA by direct rollover. Goldco coordinates with your current custodian, and a direct rollover avoids withholding.
- Select coins or bars that meet IRS fineness rules: gold at least 99.5% pure, silver 99.9%, platinum and palladium 99.95%.
- Confirm that the metal goes to Delaware Depository or Brink's, the depositories this site lists, and ask whether the storage is segregated or commingled.
Pros
- Excellent for beginners
- Strong buyback program
- Comprehensive guides
- Responsive support
- Easy rollover
Cons
- Higher premiums on some products
- Phone-based support primarily
Where the costs can hide
This site lists a $50 setup fee, a $200 annual custodian fee, $150 a year for storage and a $30 wire fee for Goldco. The first three add up to $400 for the first year, which sits inside the $225 to $650 range quoted on the home page. The cons list adds two cautions: higher premiums on some products, and fee details that may not be visible until you speak with a representative.
- Ask for the premium over spot on the exact coins you plan to buy, and price the same item at another company.
- Ask whether the $150 storage figure is for segregated or commingled storage.
- Ask for the fee schedule from GoldStar Trust as well as from Goldco, because the custodian sets some of the charges.
- Ask what happens to the fees if you add funds later.
Questions to ask about the buyback program
The buyback program is a main reason this site recommends Goldco, so test it first. A buyback tells you who will purchase your metal back. It does not tell you at what price. A dealer's bid sits below its asking price, and that gap is the spread you pay twice, once going in and once coming out.
- What price does Goldco pay on the day you sell, and how does it relate to spot?
- Is there a fee or a minimum quantity for a buyback?
- How many business days pass between your sell order and cash arriving in the IRA?
- Does the buyback cover every product, or only bullion?
- Will Goldco put the buyback terms in writing?
How Goldco compares with the other four
Goldco scores 4.8, second to Augusta's 4.9, and was founded in 2006, between Birch Gold Group (2003) and Augusta (2012). Like Birch Gold Group it lists Delaware Depository and Brink's, but its custodian is GoldStar Trust, where Augusta, American Hartford Gold and Noble Gold list Equity Trust. Goldco's $150 a year for storage is above American Hartford Gold's $125 and level with Noble Gold's $150. American Hartford Gold also waives its setup fee, while Goldco charges $50. If the largest listed promotion matters most, American Hartford Gold advertises up to $15,000 in free gold or silver from a $10,000 threshold.
Verify before you commit
- Pull Goldco's current record from bbb.org. The A+ shown on this site is a snapshot.
- Check your state regulator for the company and for GoldStar Trust.
- Get the free coin terms, the fee schedule and the buyback terms in one email you can keep.
- Walk away from any push to buy collectible or numismatic coins for an IRA when bullion meets your goal.
Frequently asked questions about Goldco
How much do I need for Goldco's free coin?
The site lists $25,000 as both Goldco's minimum investment and the threshold for a free 1/10 oz to 1/4 oz Gold Eagle. Ask which coin size your deposit earns.
Which custodian does Goldco use?
This site lists GoldStar Trust. The custodian holds your IRA, files the IRS reports and charges its own fees, so request its schedule in writing.
What does storage cost with Goldco?
The site lists $150 a year, with metal held at Delaware Depository or Brink's. Ask whether that price covers segregated or commingled storage.
Is Goldco's buyback a guaranteed price?
The site describes a strong buyback program, not a fixed price. The price you receive depends on the market and on the dealer's bid, so ask how it is set before you buy.