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.

- Low Set Up Fee & No Hidden Costs
- Excellent Buyback Program
- No Purchase Minimums
- Inc. 500 Company of the Year
- Educational, Non-Pushy Account Specialists
- This is where I personally invested!!!
- Get Free Silver (Limited Time)

- 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

- Lowest Minimum Investment $2,500
- No Set Up Fee for IRAS
- Buy Inside or Outside Your IRA
- Royal Survival Packs are Easy to Liquidate and highly tradable

- ZERO Buyback Fees
- Offers IRA and Non IRA Purchasing
- 100% satisfaction guarantee: 7-day refund
- A+ BBB Rating
- Qualified Accounts Can Earn up to $15,000 in free Silver

- 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


"I've been covering precious metals investing since 2012. I invested a significant portion of my retirement savings into a gold ira many years ago. My industry research has been published in USA Today, Business Insider, InvestingInGold, Gold401k.com, Tech Times, and other publications."
Tim Schmidt - Investor & Founder
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 Equity Trust Company when I invested with Goldco.
Other companies in this space include STRATA Trust Company, GoldStar, and The Entrust Group.
A gold IRA custodian oversees IRS compliance and account transactions. Among the many options, Equity Trust Company and STRATA Trust Company stand out for their experience and reputation.
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, a gold IRA company typically refers to a business that sells gold products and helps 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.