Last Updated on December 12, 2025
When planning for retirement with precious metals, selecting the right gold IRA provider is essential.
Comparing providers helps ensure you understand differences in fees, metals selection, storage security, and buyback options.
This guide compares Birch Gold Group and Orion Metal Exchange, two reputable companies in the gold IRA space.
We’ll break down their account setup, pricing, metals offerings, custodial services, buyback programs, and customer support to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
1. Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Birch Gold Group | Orion Metal Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 | 2017 |
| Minimum Investment | $25,000 | $10,000 |
| Fees | Setup & annual fees, storage included; transparent pricing | Setup & annual fees, storage included; slightly higher than average |
| Metals Offered | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium | Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium |
| Buyback Policy | Guaranteed buyback at competitive market rates | Flexible buyback options; price based on current market rates |
| BBB/Trustpilot Rating | A+ / 4.9 | A+ / 4.8 |
| Best For | Investors seeking strong educational support and a structured IRA process | Investors looking for lower minimums and flexible buying options |
Birch Gold is best for investors seeking education and portfolio guidance, while Orion Metal Exchange is beginner-friendly with lower minimums and guaranteed buyback.
2. Company Background & Trust Signals
Birch Gold Group
Founded in 2003, Birch Gold Group is one of the more established precious metals IRA companies.
Based in Burbank, California, the company has built a strong reputation for its education-first approach, transparent service, and personalized guidance.
Birch Gold has been featured in major financial media and maintains excellent ratings:
- BBB: A+
- Trustpilot: 4.8/5
They are known for reliability, experience, and long-term industry credibility.
Orion Metal Exchange
Founded in 2017, Orion Metal Exchange is a newer but rapidly growing company.
Based in Los Angeles, the firm focuses on offering competitive pricing, low entry requirements, and a streamlined gold IRA process.
Orion has earned strong trust signals as well:
- BBB: A+
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5
They are praised for transparency, customer responsiveness, competitive pricing, and a guaranteed buyback program, features that appeal strongly to first-time investors.
Birch Gold stands out through long-term experience and strong educational support, while Orion Metal Exchange impresses with competitive pricing, guaranteed liquidity, and excellent customer reviews.
3. Minimum Investment & Setup Process
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold requires a minimum investment of around $10,000, making it suitable for investors ready to make a moderate commitment.
The setup process includes:
- Speaking with a specialist to understand goals and account options
- Opening a self-directed IRA through an approved custodian
- Funding the account via transfer or rollover
- Selecting IRS-approved metals with expert guidance
Birch Gold’s process is education-focused, ensuring investors understand each step.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion offers a lower minimum investment of around $5,000, making it more accessible to beginners or cautious investors.
Their setup process emphasizes simplicity and speed:
- Connect with an account representative
- Open a self-directed IRA with one of their recommended custodians
- Fund your account
- Choose metals from their IRS-approved selection
Orion’s streamlined approach is ideal for investors who want a quick, hassle-free start.
Birch Gold suits investors ready to commit more and learn deeply about the process, while Orion Metal Exchange accommodates beginners with a lower minimum and faster onboarding.
4. Fees & Pricing Comparison
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold maintains a transparent fee structure, though costs vary slightly based on the custodian selected.
Typical fees include:
- Setup Fee: Often waived depending on promotions
- Annual Custodian Fee: Usually around $75–$100
- Annual Storage Fee: ~$100 for non-segregated or ~$150 for segregated storage
Birch Gold focuses on clear communication about fees so investors understand total costs before funding their account.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion positions itself as a cost-friendly provider, offering straightforward, competitive pricing.
Their typical fees include:
- Account Setup: Often reduced or waived
- Annual Fees: Around $150 total (custodian + storage)
- No commissions or hidden charges
Orion also provides transparent pricing on metals, showing real-time rates to help investors make confident buying decisions.
Birch Gold offers flexible fee arrangements depending on custodian preference, while Orion Metal Exchange stands out with consistently competitive, beginner-friendly pricing and no hidden charges.
5. Custodian & Storage Options
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold partners with several respected IRS-approved custodians, giving investors flexibility in choosing who manages their self-directed IRA.
Common partners include Equity Trust and STRATA Trust.
For storage, Birch Gold offers:
- Segregated and non-segregated vault storage
- IRS-approved depositories such as Delaware Depository and Brinks Global Services
All storage options include insurance coverage and high-level security protocols.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion Metal Exchange also works with reputable custodians and provides guidance to help investors choose the best match.
Orion’s storage options include:
- Multiple secure, IRS-approved vaults
- Segregated and non-segregated storage depending on investor preference
They also offer transparent storage costs and emphasize fast processing times when coordinating with custodians and depositories.
Birch Gold offers long-standing relationships with major custodians and flexible storage tiers, while Orion provides secure, streamlined storage options with clear pricing and efficient coordination.
6. Metals Selection & Flexibility
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold offers a wide selection of IRS-approved precious metals, making it a strong choice for investors looking to diversify.
Their offerings include:
- Gold
- Silver
- Platinum
- Palladium
They also provide a variety of IRA-eligible coins and bars, giving investors flexibility in building a custom portfolio.
Birch Gold supports both IRA purchases and direct delivery for personal holdings.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion Metal Exchange provides an equally broad range of IRS-approved metals.
Their product catalog includes:
- Gold
- Silver
- Platinum
- Palladium
Orion emphasizes competitive pricing and transparency with real-time pricing tools that help investors make informed decisions.
They also support IRA purchases and home delivery, appealing to both retirement-focused and personal investors.
Both Birch Gold and Orion Metal Exchange offer strong metal variety and flexibility. Birch Gold excels in guidance for diversification, while Orion stands out with competitive pricing and real-time transparency.
7. Buyback Program & Liquidity
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold offers a reliable buyback program, making it easy for investors to liquidate their metals when needed.
While not guaranteed, the company has a long-standing reputation for providing fair market-based buyback pricing.
Their transparent process gives investors confidence when planning future exits.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion stands out with a guaranteed buyback program, providing predictable liquidity for investors who may want to sell quickly or reduce market risk.
This assurance is especially appealing to first-time gold IRA investors who value certainty in future exit options.
Birch Gold delivers solid, trusted buyback support based on market pricing, while Orion’s guaranteed buyback creates a more predictable liquidity option for risk-conscious investors.
8. Education & Customer Support
Birch Gold Group
Birch Gold is widely recognized for its education-focused approach.
They provide:
- Detailed guides on gold IRAs and precious metals
- Market insights and economic commentary
- One-on-one consultations with specialists
Their emphasis is on helping investors understand risks, fees, and diversification so they can make informed long-term decisions.
Orion Metal Exchange
Orion Metal Exchange offers clear, accessible support designed for both beginners and experienced investors.
Their resources include:
- Simple IRA setup guides
- Real-time metal pricing tools
- Responsive customer service with personalized assistance
Orion’s team focuses on fast communication and practical guidance, making the setup and buying process smooth.
Birch Gold excels at deep education and long-term investor guidance, while Orion Metal Exchange emphasizes responsive support, real-time tools, and simplicity for new investors.
9. Pros & Cons and Who Each Company is Best For
Birch Gold Group
- Long-established company with strong industry credibility
- Education-first approach for informed investing
- Wide selection of IRA-approved metals
- Flexible custodian partnerships
- Strong customer satisfaction ratings
- Higher minimum investment (~$10,000)
- Fees vary depending on the chosen custodian
Best For:
- Investors who value education, personalized guidance, and long-term retirement planning. Ideal for those comfortable with a slightly higher minimum investment.
Orion Metal Exchange
- Lower minimum investment (~$5,000)
- Guaranteed buyback program
- Competitive and transparent pricing
- Real-time pricing tools
- Excellent customer support and responsiveness
- Newer company compared to older competitors
- Smaller team size than some long-established firms
Best For:
- Beginners and moderate investors looking for low entry requirements, guaranteed liquidity, and a simple, transparent investing experience.
10. Conclusion
Birch Gold Group and Orion Metal Exchange both offer strong, trustworthy options for building a gold IRA, but they cater to different types of investors.
Birch Gold brings long-term industry experience, deep educational resources, and personalized guidance, ideal for investors who want confidence and clarity at every step.
Orion Metal Exchange shines with its low minimum investment, competitive pricing, and guaranteed buyback program, making it a great match for beginners or anyone who values straightforward, predictable service.
Birch Gold Group is best for investors seeking expertise, strong educational support, and a long-established reputation.
Orion Metal Exchange is best for those who want low entry requirements, guaranteed liquidity, and transparent pricing.
11. FAQ
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