Goldco review: Services, fees and what to know

• Goldco is a precious metals dealer that sells IRS-approved gold and silver for retirement accounts and direct purchase.
• Goldco works with third-party custodians for account administration and depositories for the physical storage of metals.
• While highly rated for customer service, Goldco does not list its product pricing or markups online.

Goldco is a top-rated precious metals dealer and IRA provider based in Calabasas, California. The company sells IRS-approved coins and bars in gold and silver for both retirement accounts and direct purchase. Its services are primarily designed for retirement-focused investors who want to move funds from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into physical precious metals.

Below, we’ll explain Goldco’s products, fees, customer experience and how the company compares with other precious metals dealers.

Goldco overview

Goldco operates as a dealer, not a custodian or storage provider. That means the company sells silver and gold but does not administer retirement accounts or store metals directly. Instead, Goldco works with third-party custodians that manage self-directed IRAs and IRS-approved depositories that store the physical metals.

The company also helps customers roll over funds from existing retirement accounts into self-directed precious metals IRAs. Goldco may be a good fit for investors who want physical metals exposure as part of a retirement strategy.

Goldco products and services

Goldco offers IRS-approved gold and silver coins and bars.

Customers who want to buy metals directly can have them shipped to their home, bank or a secure storage facility. Metals purchased for a precious metals IRA, however, must meet IRS purity requirements, which include:

• Gold: 99.5%
• Silver: 99.9%
• American Gold Eagle: 91.67%

To open a gold IRA, Goldco connects customers with specialists who help them open a self-directed retirement account, move funds from an existing IRA or 401(k) and choose eligible metals for storage at an approved facility.

How the Goldco process works

The typical Goldco customer experience looks like this:

1. Complete consultation and account setup. A Goldco specialist explains fees, storage options and paperwork needed to open a self-directed IRA.
2. Fund the account. You move money from an existing retirement account, such as a 401(k), 403(b) or IRA, into the new precious metals IRA.
3. Select metals. You choose IRS-approved gold and silver coins or bars with guidance from a Goldco specialist.
4. Arrange storage. The metals are stored in an IRS-approved facility with insured vault storage.

Goldco fees and pricing considerations

Like most precious metals dealers, Goldco charges more than the spot price, or the current market price for gold or silver. In addition to dealer markups, custodians and storage providers charge separate fees for precious metals IRAs.

Goldco’s exact markup is not listed online and can vary depending on the product you buy. However, costs typically include:

• $50 once for setup
• $125 for yearly maintenance
• $100 for shared storage or $150 for separate storage

Tip: Understanding the full cost of a precious metals account  is important because markups and fees can reduce overall investment returns. Before committing, ask for written documentation showing the total purchase price, the current spot price, buyback terms and a complete list of fees. 

Goldco reputation and customer experience

Goldco has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and holds a 4.8-star average across more than 1,500 customer reviews. It also earned Money.com’s “Best Customer Service” award in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Trustpilot reviews frequently rave about the company's personable and knowledgeable staff. Customers praise smooth account setup and responsive service. Less favorable reviews, while less common, cite concerns about cost transparency.

Goldco pros and cons

Before committing to Goldco, weigh these tradeoffs:

Pros

• Educational resources and one-on-one support from account specialists
• Guided support for gold IRA setup and rollovers
• IRS-approved physical gold and silver

Cons

• Real-time metal pricing is not available online
• International investors can’t purchase directly
• Storage fees apply regardless of account size

Goldco vs. competitors

Precious metals dealers offer similar core services. They facilitate gold and silver IRAs and sell physical metals. The main distinctions involve pricing transparency, minimum investment requirements, customer education approaches and account setup support.

When comparing dealers, remember they all work with third-party custodians (who manage your account) and depositories (who store your metals). Focus on differences in fees, minimums and service quality, not the products themselves.

Here’s how Goldco compares to other recognizable gold dealers:

Bottom line

Goldco is one of many reputable precious metals dealers facilitating gold and silver IRAs. Still, investment outcomes aren’t guaranteed, and fees vary across dealers. To buy gold safely, compare at least three companies, request fee disclosures in writing and consult a qualified financial professional before moving retirement funds into precious metals.

FAQs about Goldco

Is Goldco a legitimate precious metals dealer?

Yes, Goldco is a legitimate dealer. It works primarily with gold and silver IRA accounts and direct bullion sales.

Does Goldco offer gold IRAs?

Yes. Goldco offers gold IRAs and helps customers roll over funds from existing retirement accounts into self-directed precious metals IRAs.

Is buying gold through a dealer like Goldco safe?

Buying gold through a dealer like Goldco is generally safe. But gold still carries market risk, and prices can fluctuate.