Augusta Precious Metals vs Priority Gold. Which Is The Best?

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Last Updated on October 15, 2025

Picking the wrong gold IRA provider can quietly erode your retirement: hidden fees, weak storage, poor buyback terms, or pushy sales practices all translate to real lost dollars and sleepless nights.

That’s why this head-to-head comparison of Augusta Precious Metals vs Priority Gold takes a clear, evidence-focused approach, not marketing fluff.

I’ll walk you through the things that actually matter to retirement investors: setup speed, minimums, custodians and insured storage, total annual costs, metals offered, buyback liquidity, and the quality of education and ongoing support.

Using industry benchmarks, verified consumer feedback, and provider disclosures, this guide explains where each company shines and where it falls short.

By the end you’ll have a concise verdict telling you which provider is best for specific goals e.g., conservative retirees who want white-glove service, cost-sensitive beginners, or investors who prioritize metal variety, plus exact next steps to safely open an account with the winner.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Augusta Precious Metals	Priority Gold
Founded	2012	2015
Minimum Investment	$50000	$25,000 (sometimes lower during promotions)
Fees	~$50 setup, ~$180–$230 annual (admin + storage)	Setup ~$50, annual fees ~$200–$250 (varies by custodian/storage)
Metals Offered	Gold & Silver (IRS-approved bars & coins)	Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium (wider variety)
Storage Options	Delaware Depository, segregated/non-segregated, fully insured	Texas & Delaware facilities, non-segregated by default
Buyback Policy	Lifetime buyback guarantee at competitive rates	Buyback program available, but not a standing guarantee
BBB/Trustpilot Rating	BBB A+, BCA AAA, 4.9/5 Trustpilot	BBB A+, BCA AA, mixed Trustpilot reviews (4.0/5)
Best For	Conservative investors seeking transparency, education & lifetime support	Investors wanting a lower minimum and broader metals selection

Company Background & Trust Signals

When comparing Augusta Precious Metals vs Priority Gold, it’s important to start with a clear picture of who they are and what they stand for.

Both companies help investors diversify their retirement savings into physical precious metals, but their business models, history, and areas of focus are quite different.

Augusta Precious Metals

Founded in 2012, Augusta Precious Metals has quickly built a strong reputation in the gold IRA space.

The company is best known for its educational-first approach.

Instead of rushing investors into opening an account, Augusta prioritizes financial literacy by offering free web conferences, videos, and resources that explain the risks, benefits, and mechanics of precious metals investing.

What truly sets Augusta apart is its celebrity endorsements and credibility markers.

For instance, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana is one of their brand ambassadors, having chosen Augusta after his personal financial team vetted them.

This credibility, along with thousands of positive reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the BBB, has positioned Augusta as one of the most trusted names in the industry.

Priority Gold

Priority Gold, on the other hand, entered the market later but has carved out its niche by focusing heavily on customer protection and transparency.

The company has emphasized guarding investors against scams and high-pressure tactics that can be common in the precious metals space.

Their model is to highlight the risks of paper assets and encourage investors to preserve wealth through gold and silver ownership.

While they don’t have the same celebrity-backed visibility as Augusta, Priority Gold has built credibility through regulatory compliance and favorable customer reviews.

They’re particularly noted for helping first-time investors who want a straightforward and guided process without a lot of noise.

Bottom line:

• Augusta is the educator, aiming to build long-term trust with in-depth resources and top-tier customer support.

• Priority Gold is the protector, with a stronger emphasis on simplicity, transparency, and keeping clients safe from bad industry practices.

Minimum Investment & Setup Process

Augusta Precious Metals

• Premium entry point

Minimum Investment: $50,000.

Setup Process: Augusta streamlines the process by assigning each client a dedicated IRA specialist who guides them step by step, from rolling over funds to selecting metals.

Investor Fit: Best suited for retirees or high-net-worth individuals who want a white-glove experience and have significant savings to protect.

While the minimum is higher than many competitors, Augusta makes up for it by offering a completely hand-held process with ongoing lifetime support and transparency.

Priority Gold

• Lower barrier, quick onboarding

Minimum Investment: $25,000.

Setup Process: Priority Gold offers a straightforward account setup, with many clients reporting that they can get started in a matter of days.

Their team helps with paperwork, custodian coordination, and storage setup.

Investor Fit: A better fit for first-time investors or those with smaller rollovers, since the entry requirement is half of Augusta’s.

This lower minimum gives new investors more flexibility to “test the waters” with a gold IRA without committing too much capital upfront.

Verdict (Setup & minimums):

Fees & Pricing Comparison

When comparing Augusta Precious Metals vs Priority Gold, it’s important to look beyond just the product offerings.

Fees play a critical role in your long-term returns, especially since precious metals IRAs involve custodial and storage costs.

Here’s how the two companies stack up:

Augusta Precious Metals

• Transparent and consistent

• Setup Fee: One-time $50 fee.

• Annual Admin Fee: $100 per year (charged by the custodian).

• Storage Fee: $100 per year for non-segregated storage or $150 per year for segregated storage.

• Minimum Investment: $50,000 (higher than average, but positions Augusta as a premium option).

Augusta emphasizes transparency so clients know exactly what they’ll pay with no hidden charges.

The higher minimum makes it more suitable for investors with larger retirement rollovers who want a clear, stable fee structure.

Priority Gold

• Flexible but less standardized

• Setup Fee: Typically waived during promotions.

• Annual Admin Fee: Around $80–$120 depending on the custodian chosen.

• Storage Fee: $100–$150 annually, varying by storage type and provider.

• Minimum Investment: $25,000 (lower entry point, making it more accessible to newer investors).

Priority Gold’s fees vary slightly depending on the custodian and storage options, which provides flexibility but can also mean less predictability.

Their lower minimum investment makes them attractive to first-time gold IRA investors.

Verdict (Fees):

Custodian & Storage Options

Augusta Precious Metals

• Trusted custodians & secure storage

Custodians: Augusta partners with industry-recognized custodians like Equity Trust and GoldStar Trust, both highly experienced in handling self-directed IRAs.

Storage: Metals are stored in IRS-approved depositories, including the highly secure Delaware Depository. Storage is fully insured through Lloyd’s of London and Brink’s.

Type of Storage: Investors can choose between segregated (your metals kept separately) or non-segregated (pooled with others, lower cost).

Peace of Mind: Augusta emphasizes transparency and compliance, giving investors confidence that their retirement assets are protected in top-tier facilities.

Priority Gold

• Multiple Depository Options

Custodians: Priority Gold works with preferred IRA custodians (commonly STRATA Trust Company and others), giving investors flexibility.

Storage: Offers IRS-approved depositories in locations such as Delaware, Texas, and Utah, allowing some geographic choice.

Type of Storage: Both segregated and non-segregated storage are available, similar to Augusta.

Peace of Mind: Storage is insured, and the company promotes options for investors who prefer regional accessibility.

Verdict (Custodian & storage):

Metals Selection & Flexibility

Augusta Precious Metals

• IRS-approved focus

Available Metals: Specializes in gold and silver for IRAs.

Does not offer platinum or palladium.

Products: Wide range of IRS-approved coins and bars, including popular American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and other bullion coins.

Direct Delivery: Investors can also purchase gold and silver for direct home delivery outside of an IRA.

Flexibility: Augusta’s narrower focus ensures compliance and eliminates confusion so investors know every product is IRA-eligible and vetted.

Priority Gold

• Broader selection

Available Metals: Offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium for IRAs, giving more variety.

Products: Includes both coins and bars, with a mix of bullion and some collectible coins.

Direct Delivery: Like Augusta, Priority Gold also allows direct delivery purchases, so investors aren’t limited to IRAs.

Flexibility: Broader selection may appeal to investors who want to diversify across all four precious metals.

Verdict (Metals selection & flexibility):

Buyback Program & Liquidity

Augusta Precious Metals

• Transparent buyback assurance

Program: Augusta promotes a straightforward buyback program, assuring clients they can sell metals back whenever they choose.

Pricing: While Augusta doesn’t promise “highest prices,” they emphasize fair and competitive market rates.

Reputation: Backed by a long-standing commitment to customer service and trust, investors often highlight the ease and confidence of liquidating through Augusta.

Peace of Mind: This guarantee is especially valuable for retirees who want assurance they won’t struggle when it’s time to sell.

Priority Gold

• Standard buyback policy

Program: Priority Gold also provides a buyback option, though details are less extensively documented compared to Augusta.

Pricing: Claims to offer competitive pricing, but with less emphasis on transparency and guarantees than Augusta.

Reputation: Because the company is younger and less established, there are fewer public customer reviews detailing the actual buyback experience.

Liquidity: Provides flexibility, but some investors may prefer a more proven track record.

Verdict ( Buyback program & liquidity):

Education & Customer Support

Augusta Precious Metals

• White-glove guidance

Investor Education: Offers a comprehensive Gold IRA Kit, webinars, videos, and one-on-one calls to explain everything from market trends to IRA rules.

Support: Dedicated IRA specialists handle all account setup, rollovers, and ongoing questions.

Long-Term Assistance: Clients receive lifetime support, ensuring they always have guidance as their retirement strategy evolves.

This high-touch approach builds confidence, reduces mistakes, and empowers investors to make well-informed decisions.

Priority Gold

• Accessible guidance

Investor Education: Provides free guides, basic videos, and phone support to assist first-time investors.

Support: Staff help with account setup, rollovers, and metals selection, though support is less personalized than Augusta’s white-glove approach.

Ongoing Assistance: Responsive for IRA-related questions, but long-term mentorship is limited.

Priority Gold is best for investors who want guidance without extensive hand-holding, suitable for those comfortable with some self-directed learning.

Verdict:

Pros & Cons and Who Each Company is Best For

Augusta Precious Metals

• Lifetime buyback assurance for metals purchased through IRA

• Transparent fees with no hidden costs

• White-glove support and personalized investor education

• Strong reputation with BBB A+ rating and positive Trustpilot reviews

• Focused, liquid metals selection (gold & silver only)

• Higher minimum investment ($50,000)

• Does not offer platinum or palladium

Best For:

• High-net-worth investors and retirees who want premium service and guidance

• Investors seeking transparent, long-term, low-risk retirement options

• Those who value education-first, hands-on support

Priority Gold

• Lower minimum investment ($25,000) makes it more accessible

• Broader metals selection, including platinum and palladium

• Straightforward setup process and responsive support

• Focus on investor protection against scams

• Less personalized education and support compared to Augusta

• Buyback program is not as guaranteed or proven

• Slightly variable annual fees depending on custodian and storage

Best For:

• First-time investors or those with smaller retirement rollovers

• Investors seeking flexibility in metals selection

• People who want simple, safe entry into precious metals investing

Overall Winner

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

Its lifetime buyback assurance, transparent fees, and white-glove support make it the top pick for those serious about retirement security and peace of mind.

Priority Gold is a strong alternative for newer or smaller investors who want broader metals variety and a lower entry point.

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 savings with premium gold and silver.