Goldco vs Lear Capital. Which Gold IRA Is Right For You?

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Last Updated on December 10, 2025

Choosing the right gold IRA company is essential for protecting your retirement savings.

With multiple providers available, it’s important to understand differences in fees, metals selection, storage options, and buyback programs to make an informed decision.

In this guide, we’ll compare Goldco and Lear Capital, two reputable gold IRA providers.

We’ll break down their account setup, fees, custodial and storage options, metals offerings, buyback programs, and customer support to give you a complete picture of what each company offers.

By the end, you’ll know which provider best aligns with your retirement strategy and investment goals.

1. Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Goldco	Lear Capital
Founded	2009	1997
Minimum Investment	$25,000	$50,000
Fees	Setup: $50–$175, Annual: $180–$250	Setup: $50, Annual: $250–$300
Metals Offered	Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium	Gold, Silver, Platinum
Buyback Policy	Guaranteed buyback	Market-based buyback
BBB/Trustpilot Rating	A+/4.7	A+/4.5
Best For	Beginners and experienced investors	High-net-worth investors

2. Company Background & Trust Signals

Goldco

Founded in 2006 and based in Los Angeles, California, Goldco is a well-established gold IRA provider known for transparency and investor education.

The company has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, and The Wall Street Journal and provides extensive guides, videos, and consultations.

It holds an A+ BBB rating and a 4.7 Trustpilot score, reflecting strong customer trust and satisfaction.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital, founded in 1997, is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and has over two decades of experience in precious metals investing.

The company specializes in gold IRAs for high-net-worth investors, offering personalized guidance and educational resources.

Lear Capital maintains an A+ BBB rating and a 4.5 Trustpilot score.

It has also received media recognition for its expertise in retirement planning with precious metals.

3. Minimum Investment & Setup Process

Goldco

Goldco requires a minimum investment of $25,000.

The setup process is straightforward:

• Schedule a free consultation with a Goldco specialist.

• Choose your IRA type (Traditional or Roth).

• Fund your account via rollover or transfer.

• Select metals and storage options.

Goldco is suitable for both beginners and experienced investors, providing structured guidance to simplify IRA setup.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital requires a higher minimum investment of $50,000, targeting more experienced or high-net-worth investors.

The setup process includes:

• Consultation with a Lear Capital specialist.

• IRA account creation and funding via rollover or contribution.

• Selection of IRS-approved metals and storage preferences.

• Personalized guidance throughout the setup process.

Lear Capital is ideal for investors comfortable with a larger initial investment who want one-on-one support throughout the IRA setup.

4. Fees & Pricing Comparison

Goldco

Goldco’s fees are transparent and competitive:

• Setup fee: $50–$175 (varies by account type)

• Annual fee: $180–$250

• Storage fee: Included for certain depository options

Goldco avoids hidden costs and provides clear explanations of all charges upfront.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital’s fee structure includes:

• Setup fee: $50

• Annual fee: $250–$300

• Storage fee: Included in annual fee for standard storage

Lear Capital emphasizes transparency, though its annual fees are slightly higher, reflecting its focus on high-net-worth clients.

5. Custodian & Storage Options

Goldco

Goldco partners with IRS-approved custodians to manage gold IRA accounts.

Investors can choose segregated (individual) or non-segregated (pooled) storage at fully insured, secure depositories.

Goldco also offers flexibility in depository locations, ensuring investor control and peace of mind.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital works with trusted IRS-approved custodians to manage IRA accounts.

Investors can select segregated or non-segregated storage, with all metals fully insured.

Lear Capital emphasizes guidance in choosing storage options that fit each investor’s strategy and comfort level.

6. Metals Selection & Flexibility

Goldco

Goldco offers a wide range of IRS-approved metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Investors can choose coins or bars, with some options available for direct delivery.

This allows for a diversified portfolio and suits both beginners and experienced investors.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital provides gold, silver, and platinum, all IRS-approved for IRAs.

Metals can be purchased as coins or bars, and certain products are eligible for direct delivery.

Lear Capital focuses on guiding high-net-worth clients in selecting metals that align with their retirement goals.

7. Buyback Program & Liquidity

Goldco

Goldco offers a guaranteed buyback program, allowing investors to sell their metals back to the company at fair market prices.

This ensures liquidity and provides confidence that holdings can be converted to cash when needed.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital provides a market-based buyback program, helping investors sell metals at competitive pricing.

The company emphasizes guidance during the process to help clients understand market timing and maximize returns.

8. Education & Customer Support

Goldco

Goldco offers a strong library of guides, videos, articles, and market insights designed to help beginners understand precious metals investing.

They also provide free gold IRA kits and one-on-one consultations to walk investors through the entire process.

Customer support is known for being patient, responsive, and beginner-friendly.

Lear Capital

Lear Capital provides market reports, retirement guides, price charts, and investing tools tailored to more experienced investors.

Their team offers personalized consultations, taking time to explain investment strategies, market conditions, and long-term planning.

Support is geared toward individuals who want detailed, high-touch guidance.

9. Pros & Cons and Who Each Company is Best For

Goldco

• Lower minimum investment

• Strong beginner-friendly education

• Wide selection of IRS-approved metals

• Guaranteed buyback program

• High customer satisfaction ratings

• Annual fees can vary by custodian

• Focuses mainly on gold and silver IRAs, fewer non-IRA options

Best For:

• Beginners investing in a gold IRA for the first time

• Investors wanting a lower minimum entry point

• Those who value strong educational support and flexibility

Lear Capital

• Longstanding reputation (founded in 1997)

• High-touch, personalized customer service

• Excellent for high-net-worth investors

• Strong educational materials and market insights

• Competitive buyback program

• Higher minimum investment requirement

• Annual fees slightly higher than competitors

Best For:

• Experienced investors who want detailed guidance

• High-net-worth individuals seeking tailored support

• Investors comfortable with a $50,000+ starting investment

10. Conclusion

Both Goldco and Lear Capital are reputable gold IRA companies, but they serve slightly different types of investors.

Goldco stands out for its lower minimum investment, beginner-friendly education, and broad metals selection, making it a strong choice for first-time precious metals investors.

Lear Capital, on the other hand, offers highly personalized guidance and deep market insights, appealing to experienced or high-net-worth investors who want tailored support and long-term strategy.

Explore what Goldco can offer for your retirement goals.

Learn how Lear Capital helps experienced investors build long-term precious metals portfolios.

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