We've done over 100 gold custodian reviews. This is our list of the top providers.

The Best Gold IRA Custodians

Precious metals dealers are a dime a dozen. Choosing a reputable custodian for your precious metals purchases and storage can be the difference between profit and peril.

The firms below can assist in this process. All are fully vetted.

Companies featured here may provide compensation for click throughs. This is how I maintain free research for consumers. My full disclosure of who I invested with is on this page for transparency.

Money Magazine Best Gold IRA Companies 2025
Huge offering of Gold, Silver, and Even Platinum Bars
$50,000 Minimum Investment
Free 1 on 1 Webinar With Harvard Educated Devlyn Steele
A+ Rating With the Better Business Bureau

9.9

Best for First Time Precious Metals Investors
Highest Price Buyback Guarantee
No Purchase Minimums
Inc. 500 Company of the Year
Qualified Accounts Earn Up to 10% in FREE Silver
Highest Rated on TrustPilot, Google Reviewws, Consumer Affairs, BBB, and Trust Link
This is Where My Family Invested After Interviewing Over 50 providers.

9.8

Endorsed by National Voices – Trusted by Gregg Jarrett and Michael Savage
Full Range of Metals – Gold, silver, platinum, palladium (bullion + premium)
FREE IRA Storage – 5 years on $50K–$100K purchases, 10 years on $100K+ purchases
$10K Minimum Investment – Accessible entry point for new investors
Up to 10% in FREE Silver – On qualifying purchases, capped at $25,000 in bonus silver

9.7

9.6

9.5

Birch Gold Group, excels in providing online education
Metals Offered: Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars and coins
Minimum Investment: $10,000 recommended Fees: Setup, annual maintenance, transfer
Storage Options: Delaware Depository, Brink’s Global Services, Texas Precious Metals Depository, International Depository Services

9.5

Do I Need an IRA Gold Custodian to Purchase Precious Metals?

If you’re looking to invest in gold through an IRA, yes, you’ll need an IRA gold custodian. IRS rules require that all IRAs, including Gold IRAs, be managed by a custodian, and when it comes to gold, the custodian should be experienced in handling precious metals.

However, if you plan to buy gold outside of an IRA, such as for personal investment purposes, you don’t need a custodian. The same goes for investing in gold through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or stocks—no custodian is required. But keep in mind, you won’t benefit from the tax advantages that an IRA provides, such as tax-deferred growth.

Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and self-directed IRAs all need a custodian to ensure the assets comply with IRS rules. Similarly, SEP IRAs that include gold as an investment also require a custodian to manage the account.

Who are the Top Gold IRA Custodians?

You have many options when it comes to choosing a custodian to oversee your IRS compliance, storage, and transaction records. I chose to use this company when I invested my retirement savings with this top rated firm.

You can choose any gold custodian you feel comfortable with.

A gold IRA custodian oversees IRS compliance and account transactions. Among the many options, custodian fees vary depending on which company you select.

Is a Gold IRA Custodian the Same as a Gold IRA Company?

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different things. A gold IRA custodian is an IRS-approved entity responsible for holding and managing the assets in a self-directed IRA account.

On the other hand, gold IRA companies facilitate the sale of gold products and help customers set up a gold IRA. This company may guide you through the process but isn’t the one managing the assets like a custodian does.

Again, your first step if you are interested in starting an IRA in precious metals is to request a free gold guide from a company above and choose one that fits your investment plans.