Augusta Precious Metals and Fidelity Investments both let you add gold to a retirement account, but they do it through fundamentally different products, with different costs, minimums, and goals. One is a specialty gold IRA company; the other is a full-service brokerage. Understanding what each actually offers is the first step in choosing what fits your retirement plan.
Quick Verdict: Augusta vs. Fidelity Precious Metals
Augusta Precious Metals
Best for: Dedicated physical gold IRA with $50K+ to roll over
Minimum: Industry-reported around $50,000
Get Augusta’s free Gold IRA guideMoney Magazine #1 (2022-2026) · BBB A+ Zero Complaints · Free, no sales pressure
Fidelity Investments
Best for: Gold ETF exposure or small physical positions inside an existing brokerage IRA
Physical IRA minimum: $1,000 (per fidelity.com) · ETF minimum: standard brokerage minimums apply
for current product terms.
The Core Difference
Augusta builds a standalone self-directed IRA that holds IRS-approved physical gold and silver bars as its primary asset. Fidelity is a general brokerage platform that can hold gold ETFs (like FSAGX or GLD) and allows limited physical precious metals purchases inside existing brokerage IRAs. These are not the same product. Your choice depends on whether you want direct ownership of allocated physical metal or market exposure through a fund.
INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION
Goldiew cross-referenced Augusta data against company verification records (verified May 14, 2026 crawl of augustapreciousmetals.com), Augusta’s BBB profile, and Money Magazine’s 2022-2026 rankings. Fidelity data was verified against fidelity.com public pages (precious metals help center, IRA overview, ETF education center) and about.fidelity.com, crawled May 15, 2026. Our methodology is identical for every company we cover, independent of any commercial relationship. We are not financial advisors. Consult a licensed advisor before making retirement decisions.
How We Evaluated Augusta vs. Fidelity
Comparing a specialty gold IRA company against a full-service brokerage requires a clear framework. Standard brokerage benchmarks (stock trading fees, platform UI, fractional shares) are irrelevant here. Our 8 criteria focus on what matters for someone considering gold in a retirement account.
Does the product work inside the specific IRA type you have (Traditional, Roth, Rollover/401k)?
Direct ownership of allocated metal vs. ETF or fund exposure. Fundamentally different risk and ownership profiles.
Entry threshold for the gold-specific product, not just to open an account.
Annual fees, custodian charges, storage costs, spreads, and fee promotions. We state only what each company publicly discloses.
Does the product meet IRS Publication 590 requirements for IRA-eligible precious metals? Physical metal must meet IRS purity and approved-product criteria.
How complex is the transition? Does the company help you roll over an existing 401(k) or IRA?
BBB rating, accreditation status, complaint volume, and third-party review coverage from Money Magazine and Investopedia.
Aggregate rating from verified Goldiew user reviews (manually moderated). Applies only to Augusta as a Goldiew-reviewed specialty company.
Sources consulted: IRS Publication 590-A (IRA contributions), IRS Publication 590-B (distributions), FINRA Investor Alert on Precious Metals Fraud, official company websites crawled May 2026, and BBB business profiles. Fidelity is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer verifiable at FINRA BrokerCheck. Augusta is not a broker-dealer; it facilitates physical gold purchases through IRS-approved custodians.
Augusta Precious Metals
Best for Physical Gold IRAs with $50,000+ to roll over
Augusta Precious Metals, founded in 2012 and based in Beverly Hills, California, specializes in one thing: helping Americans with substantial retirement savings build a self-directed IRA backed by physical gold and silver. This is not a general brokerage. Augusta does not sell stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds. Its entire operation centers on IRS-compliant physical precious metals held in approved depositories. In 13 years, it has earned a BBB A+ rating with zero complaints and Money Magazine’s Best Overall Gold IRA Company recognition five years running (2022 through 2026, per Augusta’s website, verified 2026).
What makes Augusta different from a brokerage gold option
When you open a gold IRA with Augusta, you are not buying a fund that tracks gold prices. You are purchasing physical, allocated gold bars or coins that are stored in your name at an IRS-approved depository. The IRS sets specific purity requirements for IRA-eligible gold: 99.5% minimum fineness for gold bullion, per IRS Publication 590-A. Augusta works with a qualified self-directed IRA custodian that holds the account, and the physical metal is stored separately from the custodian’s own assets.
Augusta’s process, described publicly as “Education-First: Learn, Talk, Decide,” starts with their 2026 Gold IRA guide and moves to a one-on-one call with a salaried, non-commissioned educator. The compensation model matters: Augusta’s education team is paid on salary, not on what you buy. You can go through the entire educational process and decide it is not right for you, without pressure. This is stated on Augusta’s home page (verified 2026).
Fees and pricing
Augusta publicly advertises a multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollover accounts. The specific terms are reviewed during the free consultation; Augusta’s public website does not state the exact duration or dollar threshold. Beyond any fee promotion, gold IRA accounts carry annual custodian fees and storage fees, as with any SDIRA provider. These costs are outlined during the consultation. Ask for the full fee breakdown and compare it against the size of your rollover before committing. Consult your tax advisor for any tax implications of a rollover.
Storage and custodian
Augusta works with qualified self-directed IRA custodians for account administration. Physical metal goes to an IRS-approved depository, held in allocated storage, meaning your gold is yours specifically, not pooled with other customers’ assets. Home storage of IRA gold is not permitted under IRS rules for the account to retain its tax-advantaged status. Taking physical possession triggers a taxable distribution. FINRA has issued investor alerts on self-directed IRA fraud; using established, IRS-approved custodians and depositories is the key protection against that risk.
Pros
- Physical allocated gold stored in your name at an IRS-approved depository
- Salaried, non-commissioned educators (no sales pressure)
- BBB A+ with zero complaints (verified 2026)
- Money Magazine Best Overall Gold IRA Company, five consecutive years (2022-2026)
- Multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollover accounts
Cons
- High minimum (industry-reported ~$50,000), not accessible for smaller accounts
- Only offers physical precious metals, not ETFs or stocks
- No online trading; process involves phone consultations and paperwork
- Annual storage and custodian fees apply (amounts discussed during consultation)
Best for
- Retirees 55+ with $50,000+ in an IRA or 401(k) to roll over
- Investors who want direct, allocated physical metal ownership
- People who prefer a guided, education-first service approach
- Accounts where the fee waiver meaningfully reduces long-term costs
Not a good fit for
- Accounts under $50,000
- Investors under 50 who need maximum liquidity
- Non-US investors
- Anyone who wants ETF exposure without ongoing storage fees
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Fidelity Investments
Gold ETF exposure and limited physical metals inside a standard brokerage IRA
Fidelity Investments, founded in 1946, is a private company headquartered in Boston with over 80,000 employees across 11 countries (per about.fidelity.com, verified 2026). It is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, a member of NYSE and SIPC, and is subject to full broker-dealer regulation. Fidelity is America’s largest IRA provider by account count, per their own marketing. It is not a specialty gold IRA company.
Gold options on the Fidelity platform
Fidelity offers two distinct ways to add gold exposure inside a retirement or brokerage account.
Option 1: Gold ETFs and mutual funds. Fidelity’s own FSAGX (Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio) provides exposure to gold-related equities (mining companies, royalty firms). Third-party ETFs, including SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU), are available on the Fidelity platform and can be held inside a Fidelity IRA. These are securities whose value tracks gold prices; they are not physical gold. The tax treatment differs: some gold-backed commodity ETFs may be taxed as collectibles (up to 28% long-term capital gains rate, vs. the standard 20% for equities), per Fidelity’s own ETF education center (according to fidelity.com, verified 2026). Consult your tax advisor on the specific treatment for your account type and holding period.
Option 2: Physical precious metals in a Fidelity IRA. Fidelity allows IRA holders to purchase physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion and coins within an existing Fidelity brokerage IRA. This is done by calling Fidelity directly (800-343-3548, trading hours 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, per fidelity.com, verified 2026). The minimum for an initial IRA physical metals purchase is $1,000. Orders must be placed in whole ounces or whole coins; dollar-denominated fractional orders are not available. Metal settles in two business days.
What Fidelity does not offer: a purpose-built, self-directed precious metals IRA with a specialty custodian and allocated depository storage. Fidelity’s IRA accounts that hold physical metals use Fidelity’s standard brokerage custodial structure. The metal is held inside the Fidelity account, not in a separate named depository as it is with a specialty SDIRA provider like Augusta.
Fees and costs at Fidelity
Fidelity’s standard trading commissions for stocks and ETFs are $0. For physical precious metals orders, Fidelity does not publicly disclose a spread or transaction fee on its website; details are given by phone when placing an order (per fidelity.com’s trading help center, verified 2026). ETF expense ratios apply to fund holdings (FSAGX and third-party ETFs carry their own expense ratios, disclosed in each fund’s prospectus). There is no annual account fee to open a Fidelity IRA. The $1,000 physical metals minimum applies on initial purchase.
Who should consider Fidelity for gold
Fidelity makes sense as a gold option if you already have a Fidelity IRA, you want simple ETF exposure (low cost, liquid, no annual storage fees), or you want to add a small physical metals position without opening a separate SDIRA. It also works if your account balance is below the ~$50,000 threshold where Augusta becomes accessible. The tradeoff: you do not own allocated physical gold in your name at an independent depository. You own a position inside a Fidelity brokerage account.
Pros
- $0 account fees and $0 commissions on ETF trades
- Low entry point ($1,000 for physical IRA metals)
- Gold ETFs available with instant liquidity during market hours
- Integrates with existing Fidelity brokerage or IRA account
- FINRA oversight and SIPC member protection
Cons
- Physical metal orders require a phone call; no online ordering
- Spreads on physical metals are not publicly disclosed
- No specialty SDIRA with allocated depository storage
- Gold-backed ETFs taxed as collectibles (up to 28%) outside certain structures
- Not a precious metals specialist; no dedicated gold IRA education team
Best for
- Existing Fidelity customers who want to add gold ETF exposure
- Accounts under $50,000 that want some gold exposure
- Investors prioritizing liquidity over allocated physical storage
- Those comfortable self-directing a gold allocation within a brokerage
Not a good fit for
- Anyone who wants physically allocated, segregated gold in their name
- Investors who want a specialty gold IRA with dedicated custodian support
- Those who want a managed, education-first rollover process
Full Comparison: Augusta Precious Metals vs. Fidelity
This table compares the two on the dimensions that matter most to someone considering gold in a retirement account. Where a fact is not publicly stated, we note that rather than guess.
| Dimension | Augusta Precious Metals | Fidelity Investments |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Self-directed physical gold IRA | Brokerage IRA with physical metals + ETF options |
| Physical gold ownership | Yes, allocated storage at IRS-approved depository | Yes, held inside Fidelity brokerage account |
| Gold ETF option | Not offered | Yes (FSAGX, GLD, IAU, and others) |
| Minimum investment (IRA physical) | Industry-reported ~$50,000 | $1,000 (per fidelity.com, 2026) |
| Annual account fees | Custodian + storage fees apply (terms in consultation) | $0 account fee; ETF expense ratios apply |
| Transaction spread / trading fees | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated for physical metals; $0 for ETFs |
| Fee promotion | Multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollovers | None advertised |
| IRS-compliant physical gold products | IRS-approved products via qualified custodian and depository | IRA-eligible metals available; details via phone |
| Rollover assistance | Dedicated rollover support + education team | Standard rollover tools (self-directed process) |
| BBB Rating | A+ Zero Complaints (per Augusta website, verified 2026) | Not verified via direct BBB crawl (2026) |
| Founded | 2012 | 1946 |
| Regulatory oversight | Works with IRS-approved custodians and depositories | FINRA broker-dealer, NYSE member, SIPC |
| Goldiew user rating | 4.71 / 5, Excellent Reputation (7 verified Goldiew reviews, 2026) | Not a Goldiew-reviewed specialty provider |
Which Is Right for You?
The answer depends on what you actually want from gold in your retirement account, how much you have to invest, and what tradeoffs you are willing to accept on fees, liquidity, and ownership structure.
Under $25,000
Augusta is not accessible at this size. Fidelity’s ETF option (FSAGX, GLD, IAU) or physical metals with the $1,000 minimum are your realistic choices. Consider whether ongoing costs of any gold position are proportional to your account size before committing.
$25,000 to $50,000
Still below Augusta’s reported minimum. Fidelity physical metals or gold ETFs fit here. If you are building toward a dedicated physical gold IRA, contacting Augusta now to understand their specific requirements before you reach the threshold costs nothing.
$50,000 or more
Augusta becomes relevant at this level. The multi-year fee waiver has the most impact on larger rollovers. If dedicated physical gold ownership (allocated, in your name, at a depository) is your goal, Augusta is the structured specialty path.
ETF liquidity, $0 ongoing fees
If you want gold exposure you can sell in seconds during market hours, with no annual storage fees and no phone calls required, Fidelity’s ETF approach fits. You accept paper exposure, not physical ownership of the metal itself.
Allocated physical metal
If you want physical gold bars stored in your name at an IRS-approved depository, Augusta is the specialty path. Fidelity’s physical metals are held inside a standard brokerage account structure, not in segregated depository storage.
Already a Fidelity customer
Adding gold ETF exposure inside your existing Fidelity IRA is the path of least friction. No new accounts, no rollover paperwork, no new custodian. If you later decide you want dedicated physical metal in an SDIRA, you can evaluate Augusta at that point.
Beyond account size and ownership preference, three additional factors shape the decision.
Tax treatment
Gold ETFs held inside an IRA are tax-deferred like any IRA holding. Outside an IRA, physical gold and some gold-backed ETFs may face collectibles tax rates (up to 28%). Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation before deciding between an SDIRA and a standard brokerage approach.
Liquidity timeline
If you need access to funds within five years, a dedicated physical gold IRA may not be the right structure. Liquidating physical metal from an SDIRA takes longer than selling an ETF position. Know your time horizon before committing to either path.
Fee proportionality
Annual custodian and storage fees on an SDIRA matter most on smaller balances. On a $50,000 account, they represent a larger percentage of assets than on a $250,000 account. Run the numbers with a financial advisor before deciding whether the physical ownership structure justifies the cost at your account size.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you hold physical gold in a Fidelity IRA?
Yes. Fidelity allows IRA account holders to purchase IRS-eligible physical precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion and coins) inside a Fidelity brokerage IRA. The minimum for an initial IRA physical metals purchase is $1,000, and orders must be placed by phone during trading hours, according to fidelity.com (verified 2026). This is structurally different from a specialty self-directed IRA: the metal is held within the Fidelity brokerage account, not in separate allocated depository storage with a named specialty custodian.
What is the difference between a gold ETF and a physical gold IRA?
A gold ETF (like GLD or IAU) is a security that tracks the price of gold. You own shares in a fund backed by gold, but you do not own the gold itself. A physical gold IRA (like those Augusta facilitates) holds actual gold bars or coins in your name at an IRS-approved depository. The ownership structure, costs, liquidity, and tax treatment differ substantially between these two approaches. An ETF can be sold in seconds during market hours; liquidating physical gold from a specialty IRA typically takes longer. Consult your financial advisor to determine which structure fits your situation.
What is the minimum investment to open a gold IRA with Augusta?
Augusta’s minimum investment is industry-reported at around $50,000. This figure is widely cited by Money.com and Investopedia. Augusta does not publicly state the exact minimum on its home page; the specific threshold is confirmed during the free consultation. Augusta is designed for investors with substantial existing retirement savings who want to roll over a portion into a physical gold IRA, not for smaller or early-stage accounts.
Can I roll over my 401(k) into a gold IRA?
A rollover from a 401(k) to a self-directed IRA that holds physical gold is possible, subject to IRS rules under Publication 590-A. The rollover must follow specific IRS guidelines to avoid being treated as a taxable distribution. Augusta provides rollover support as part of its process. At Fidelity, rollover IRAs can hold physical metals (with the $1,000 minimum) or gold ETFs within the standard rollover IRA structure. Consult your tax advisor before initiating any rollover to understand the tax implications for your specific situation.
Is Augusta Precious Metals legitimate?
Augusta Precious Metals has a BBB A+ rating with zero complaints filed, per Augusta’s website (verified 2026). Money Magazine has named it Best Overall Gold IRA Company from 2022 through 2026. Investopedia has recognized it as Most Transparent Gold IRA Company for the same period. Goldiew’s internal user reviews give Augusta a 4.71 out of 5 based on 7 verified, manually moderated reviews. No third-party rating is a guarantee of future performance; due diligence on any financial services provider is always recommended. FINRA’s website provides guidance on avoiding precious metals fraud.
Which has lower fees: Augusta or Fidelity?
Neither company publicly discloses a complete fee schedule for precious metals transactions, which makes a direct comparison difficult. Fidelity charges $0 for ETF trading and $0 account fees, though physical metals spreads are disclosed by phone. Augusta has annual custodian and storage fees for the SDIRA structure, partly offset by a multi-year fee waiver for qualifying accounts. For ETF-only exposure, Fidelity is generally the lower-cost path. For a physical gold IRA with allocated storage, Augusta’s promotion can reduce ongoing costs significantly, depending on account size and qualifying terms. Request full fee schedules from both and compare before deciding.
Can I store physical gold from my IRA at home?
No. Home storage of physical gold held inside an IRA is not permitted under IRS rules for the account to maintain its tax-advantaged status. Taking physical possession of IRA-held metal counts as a distribution, which is subject to income taxes and, if you are under 59.5 years old, a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Physical gold inside an IRA must be held at an IRS-approved depository. The IRS addresses this in Publication 590-B.
What gold products are IRA-eligible under IRS rules?
Under IRS Publication 590-A, an IRA can hold gold bullion with a minimum fineness of 99.5%, and certain US gold coins, including American Eagle coins (which are specifically permitted by IRS statute despite being below the standard fineness threshold). The IRS bars most collectible coins from IRAs but makes specific exceptions for bullion and approved coins. Both Augusta and Fidelity work with IRS-eligible products. Verify that any specific product you are considering meets current IRS requirements before purchasing.
Does Augusta have sales commissions on what I buy?
Augusta publicly states on its website that its educators are “salaried, non-commissioned” (verified 2026 crawl of augustapreciousmetals.com). You can go through Augusta’s full educational process and consultation without any obligation to buy. This stated compensation model is a differentiator from some other gold IRA companies that use commission-based structures. Confirm the compensation structure directly with Augusta during your initial call.
What happens to my gold IRA when I retire and need distributions?
When you reach the required minimum distribution (RMD) age, currently 73 under the SECURE 2.0 Act, your gold IRA, like any traditional IRA, is subject to RMDs. You can take distributions in cash (the custodian liquidates the metal and distributes cash) or in-kind (physical metal is distributed to you, which is a taxable event at fair market value on distribution date). The tax treatment depends on whether your IRA is traditional (pre-tax contributions, taxed on distribution) or Roth (after-tax contributions, distributions typically tax-free). Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation before you reach distribution age.
Sources and Methodology
All factual claims were verified against official sources. Augusta facts were verified against a live crawl of augustapreciousmetals.com (May 14, 2026) and cross-checked against Money Magazine recognition listed on Augusta’s site, Investopedia, and BBB. Fidelity facts were verified against fidelity.com public pages (precious metals help center, IRA overview, ETF education center) and about.fidelity.com (May 15, 2026).
- IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements
- IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements
- FINRA Investor Alert: Precious Metals Fraud
- FINRA BrokerCheck: Verify Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
- Augusta Precious Metals official website (crawled May 14, 2026)
- Fidelity: How to Trade Precious Metals (crawled May 15, 2026)
- Fidelity: Commodity ETF Tax Treatment (crawled May 15, 2026)
- About Fidelity Investments (crawled May 15, 2026)
- Goldiew: Augusta Precious Metals user reviews (7 verified reviews, avg 4.71/5, 2026)
- SEC Investor.gov: Individual Retirement Accounts
Our methodology is identical for every company we cover, independent of any commercial relationship. Both companies were evaluated against the same 8 criteria. This guide is updated regularly to reflect changes in company offerings, fees, and IRS rules.