Augusta Precious Metals vs Orion Metal Exchange. Which Is The Best?

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Last Updated on October 15, 2025

When it comes to protecting your retirement, the wrong gold IRA provider can cost you dearly through hidden fees, unreliable buyback programs, or poor customer support.

With retirement savings on the line, it’s essential to compare providers carefully before making a move.

In this review, we’ll compare Augusta Precious Metals, one of the most reputable names in the gold IRA industry, with Orion Metal Exchange, a newer player gaining traction for its flexible metals selection and competitive pricing.

By the end, you’ll clearly see which company offers the best balance of trust, transparency, and long-term value and which one deserves your trust to safeguard your wealth.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Augusta Precious Metals	Orion Metal Exchange
Founded	2012	2017
Minimum Investment	$50000	$10,000 (IRA or direct metals)
Fees	~$50 setup, ~$180–$230 annual (admin + storage)	Variable; based on account & custodian
Metals Offered	Gold & Silver (IRS-approved bars & coins)	Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium (wider variety)
Buyback Policy	Lifetime, hassle-free buyback guarantee	Advertises buyback, but not guaranteed
BBB/Trustpilot Rating	BBB A+, BCA AAA, 4.9/5 Trustpilot	A+ BBB, ~4.7/5 Trustpilot
Best For	High-net-worth investors seeking premium service & education	Beginners and mid-level investors seeking lower entry point & broader metals selection

Company Background & Trust Signals

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals was founded in 2012 and has become one of the most trusted names in the gold IRA industry.

The company is known for its education-first approach, full fee transparency, and white-glove service.

Augusta also carries the endorsement of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, who personally chose them for his retirement.

With an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.9/5 Trustpilot score, Augusta’s reputation is built on consistency and credibility.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange, established in 2017, is a newer but growing competitor.

The company has built trust by offering all four major precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) and providing clients with flexible IRA and direct-purchase options.

Orion also holds an A+ BBB rating and a strong ~4.9/5 Trustpilot score, reflecting positive customer experiences.

Verdict:

Minimum Investment & Setup Process

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals requires a $50,000 minimum investment for a gold IRA.

While this higher entry point may deter some first-time investors, it ensures that Augusta is best positioned for serious, high-net-worth clients who want premium service.

The setup process is smooth and guided by Augusta’s dedicated team, who walk clients through every step, from paperwork to custodian coordination.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange has a much lower minimum investment of $10,000, making it more accessible to new or mid-level investors.

The setup process is also straightforward, with flexible options to either fund an IRA or purchase metals directly for personal storage.

Verdict:

Fees & Pricing Comparison

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta Precious Metals is known for its upfront and transparent pricing structure.

Investors typically pay:

• Setup Fee: $50 (one-time)

• Annual Custodian Fee: ~$100

• Annual Storage Fee: ~$150 (flat rate for segregated storage)

Total annual costs usually come to around $250, with no hidden charges.

Augusta’s transparency gives investors peace of mind, knowing exactly what to expect long-term.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion Metal Exchange has a less standardized fee structure.

Fees vary depending on the chosen custodian and type of storage.

While Orion advertises competitive rates, some costs are not clearly disclosed upfront. Investors often need to call for a detailed breakdown, which may make comparison shopping more difficult.

Verdict:

Custodian & Storage Options

One of the most important factors when choosing a gold IRA provider is how they handle custodianship and storage, since IRS rules require physical precious metals in an IRA to be stored in an approved depository.

Augusta Precious Metals

Augusta partners with well-established custodians, most notably Equity Trust Company, which has over 45 years of experience and manages billions in assets.

This gives investors confidence that their IRA accounts are being overseen by a reputable, IRS-approved custodian.

For storage, Augusta uses top-tier, IRS-approved depositories such as Delaware Depository and Brink’s Global Services.

These facilities are highly secure, insured, and equipped with advanced monitoring systems.

Importantly, Augusta only offers segregated storage, meaning your metals are stored separately and are not commingled with other investors’ holdings.

This ensures that when you take distributions, you receive the exact metals you purchased.

Orion Metal Exchange

Orion provides more flexibility in choosing custodians compared to Augusta.

They work with multiple options and give investors the ability to select their preferred custodian, which can be appealing for those who want control.

Orion also partners with several depositories, both domestic and international.

This flexibility extends to allowing investors to choose between segregated or non-segregated storage.

However, while Orion offers more choice, the lack of a single streamlined custodian-depository partnership can sometimes make the setup process less seamless compared to Augusta.

Verdict:

Metals Selection & Flexibility

The metals you can hold in a gold IRA can impact both diversification and long-term growth potential.

Here’s how Augusta Precious Metals and Orion Metal Exchange compare:

Augusta Precious Metals

Metals Offered: Specializes in gold and silver for IRA accounts. Augusta focuses on IRS-approved bullion coins and bars, including American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and select silver rounds.

Product Range: While narrower than some competitors, Augusta’s focus ensures full IRA compliance and high liquidity. Investors don’t have to worry about collectible coins or exotic products that may be hard to liquidate.

Direct Delivery: Investors can also purchase metals for home delivery outside of an IRA, offering additional flexibility.

Orion Metal Exchange

Metals Offered: Provides gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, allowing for broader diversification. This can appeal to investors who want exposure to multiple precious metals in a single portfolio.

Product Range: Orion offers both coins and bars and allows some collectible options, which may be attractive to more experienced investors.

Direct Delivery: Like Augusta, Orion also allows direct delivery of metals purchased outside of an IRA, giving investors freedom beyond their retirement account.

Takeaway:

• Augusta Precious Metals excels in simplicity, compliance, and liquidity. Its narrower focus on gold and silver ensures that investors are buying only highly liquid, IRS-approved products.

• Orion Metal Exchange offers more diversification with platinum and palladium, which may appeal to investors looking to spread risk across multiple metals.

Verdict:

Buyback Program & Liquidity

The ability to sell your metals easily and at fair value is crucial for any gold IRA investor.

Let’s see how these two companies handle buybacks:

Augusta Precious Metals

Buyback Guarantee: Augusta offers a lifetime, hassle-free buyback program for all metals purchased through the IRA. This means investors can sell their gold and silver back at any time, providing peace of mind and liquidity.

Pricing Transparency: Augusta guarantees fair market pricing, reducing uncertainty and making it easy to plan distributions or liquidate a portion of your holdings.

Ease of Process: The buyback process is straightforward and supported by Augusta’s dedicated team, which ensures the transaction is seamless and trustworthy.

Orion Metal Exchange

Buyback Program: Orion also offers a buyback option, allowing clients to sell metals back to the company. However, the program is less formalized and doesn’t always provide guarantees comparable to Augusta.

Pricing Transparency: Prices are market-based, but investors may need to confirm rates during the process, introducing potential delays or variability.

Ease of Process: Orion’s buyback is functional, but the lack of lifetime guarantees may concern some investors seeking maximum security and liquidity.

Takeaway:

• Augusta Precious Metals stands out for its clear, guaranteed buyback program and transparent, fair pricing, making it ideal for investors who want peace of mind and reliable liquidity.

• Orion Metal Exchange provides flexibility, but the less formalized guarantees and variable pricing may make it less appealing for cautious investors.

Education & Customer Support

Quality education and responsive support are critical in choosing a gold IRA provider, especially for first-time investors.

Augusta Precious Metals

Investor Education: Augusta emphasizes an education-first approach. They provide a comprehensive Gold IRA Kit, webinars, videos, and one-on-one consultations to help investors understand the market, IRA rules, and retirement strategies.

Customer Support: Dedicated IRA specialists guide clients through setup, rollovers, and account management. Their white-glove support ensures questions are answered promptly and accurately, reducing mistakes or delays.

Long-Term Assistance: Augusta offers lifetime support, meaning investors can return for advice or clarification at any stage of their retirement planning.

Orion Metal Exchange

Investor Education: Orion provides guides, videos, and phone support, but the content is less detailed and personalized compared to Augusta.

Customer Support: Responsive and helpful, especially for account setup and metal purchases. However, support experiences may vary depending on the representative, and the depth of guidance is not as extensive.

Ongoing Assistance: Orion provides standard support but does not match Augusta’s comprehensive, long-term educational resources.

Verdict:

Pros & Cons and Who Each Company is Best For

Augusta Precious Metals

• Lifetime, hassle-free buyback guarantee

• Transparent fees with no hidden costs

• White-glove, personalized investor education and support

• Trusted reputation with BBB A+ rating and high-profile endorsements

• Segregated, IRS-approved storage for security and compliance

• Higher minimum investment ($50,000)

• Focused only on gold and silver (no platinum/palladium for IRA)

Best For:

• High-net-worth investors and retirees seeking premium service and guidance

• Beginners who want hands-on support and education

• Investors prioritizing security, transparency, and long-term peace of mind

Orion Metal Exchange

• Lower minimum investment ($10,000), more accessible for first-time investors

• Broad metals selection including platinum and palladium

• Flexible choice of custodians and storage options

• Responsive support for IRA setup and direct purchases

• Less formalized buyback guarantee

• Fee structure can vary depending on custodian and storage choice

• Educational resources and personalized guidance are limited

Best For:

• Investors with smaller retirement rollovers

• Those seeking flexibility and diversification across multiple metals

• Experienced investors comfortable with self-directed learning

Overall Winner

Augusta Precious Metals emerges as the safer and smarter choice for most investors.

Their lifetime buyback assurance, transparent fees, top-tier support, and educational resources make them ideal for anyone prioritizing retirement security and confidence.

Orion is a solid alternative for investors with smaller accounts or a desire for broader metals options, but it doesn’t match Augusta in terms of reliability and guidance.

Secure your retirement with confidence.

Choose a gold IRA provider you can trust. Get your free Augusta Precious Metals Gold IRA Kit today and start protecting your wealth with premium gold and silver, backed by expert guidance and a lifetime buyback guarantee.