Choosing between Augusta Precious Metals and Lear Capital is not a coin flip. One company opened in 2012 with a focused mandate on gold IRA compliance and investor education. The other has operated since 1997 with a broad precious metals retail model covering coins, bullion, and IRA services. For retirees with $50,000 or more in eligible retirement assets, the differences in fee structure, sales model, and compliance history carry real financial weight. This guide compares both companies across eight criteria: fees, minimums, transparency, custodial setup, complaint history, product selection, storage, and third-party recognition.
Quick Verdict: Augusta vs Lear Capital
Augusta Precious Metals
Best for: $50,000+ gold IRA rollovers, education-first investors
Min: industry-reported ~$50,000
Money Magazine #1 (2022-2026) · BBB A+ Zero Complaints · Free, no obligation
Lear Capital
Best for: lower-minimum accounts, physical coin and bullion purchases
Min: not publicly stated (industry-reported ~$5,000+)
Rankings reflect Goldiew’s 8-criteria evaluation framework and investor profile fit, not commission structure. Goldiew earns no commission on Lear Capital referrals. This comparison is editorially independent.
This comparison was built by crawling both companies’ official websites in 2026, reviewing public BBB profiles, and cross-referencing Trustpilot, Consumer Affairs, and Google ratings. Facts from each company’s own website are tagged as such. Facts from third-party sources include a citation. Where a figure could not be confirmed publicly, we use the qualifier “industry-reported” or “not publicly stated.” Goldiew holds no affiliate relationship with Lear Capital, which means no financial incentive colors the assessment of them here.
In This Guide
How We Evaluate Gold IRA Companies
Every company in a Goldiew comparison is scored across eight criteria. We weight compliance and transparency most heavily because this is a high-stakes retirement category. Regulatory lapses in the precious metals industry have resulted in real losses for retirees. Here is what we look for and why it matters:
1. Compliance and Transparency
Does the company disclose fees before you commit? Does their public sales process match what they actually do? Any FTC, SEC, or state regulatory actions factor heavily here. A clean compliance record is a baseline requirement for a top ranking.
2. Fee Structure
Setup fees, annual custodial fees, and storage fees accumulate over a 10-year retirement account horizon. We model real costs where data is available and flag companies that do not publish a fee schedule before the account opening conversation.
3. Minimum Investment
A higher minimum may reflect a more premium or specialized service. A lower minimum opens access to more investors. We report publicly stated minimums and note when figures come from industry-reported estimates only.
4. Third-Party Recognition
BBB rating and complaint count, Business Consumer Alliance rating, Trustpilot score, industry awards from Money Magazine and Investopedia, and review volume across platforms all factor in. BBB complaint history gets extra weight.
5. Customer Experience and Sales Process
Are sales staff on salary or commission? Is there a structured educational step before any pitch? We look for documented evidence of a no-pressure process that gives investors time to decide without urgency tactics.
6. Custodial and Storage Setup
A self-directed IRA legally requires an IRS-approved custodian and a regulated depository. We verify that each company publicly names both partners and explains their roles clearly before a customer commits to an account.
7. Product Selection and IRS Compliance
Not all gold qualifies for an IRA. Per IRS Publication 590-A, gold must meet minimum purity standards (99.5% for gold). We check each company’s stated product offering and flag when premium coin upsells are a documented concern.
8. Buyback Policy and Liquidity
What happens when you want to sell your metals or take a distribution? We check whether each company offers a buyback program, what the stated terms are, and whether the exit process is documented in advance for the investor.
Primary sources used: IRS Publication 590-A, IRS retirement account overview, FINRA Investor Alert on precious metals fraud, SEC guidance on investment decisions, public BBB profiles, and both companies’ official websites as of 2026.
All Goldiew user review data cited in this guide reflects published, manually moderated reviews in our verified database only.
Augusta Precious Metals
Best Overall for $50,000+ Rollover Accounts
*Industry-reported minimum. Not stated on public website. Confirm directly with Augusta.
Augusta Precious Metals opened in 2012 with a specific mandate: serve retirees who are seriously considering a gold IRA rollover and want to understand what they are getting into before signing anything. That focus has held across 13 years of operation. Their process, which they describe publicly as “Education-First: Learn, Talk, Decide,” places a structured educational step before any account discussion. You attend a one-on-one web conference with Augusta’s director of education, Devlyn Steele, before speaking with any account specialist about your specific situation. The education step is not optional.
What Sets Augusta Apart
The salaried, non-commissioned sales model is Augusta’s most cited structural differentiator. Their public website states directly: “Speak one-on-one with a salaried, non-commissioned educator.” In a precious metals industry where commissioned sales representatives have financial incentives to push premium coin upgrades and larger initial allocations, this compensation structure removes one of the most common sources of investor-unfriendly pressure.
Money Magazine named Augusta the Best Overall Gold IRA Company for five consecutive years, 2022 through 2026, per Augusta’s website as of 2026. Investopedia recognized them as the Most Transparent Gold IRA Company for the same period. Their BBB profile shows an A+ rating with zero complaints filed as of Goldiew’s May 2026 review. Across more than 4,000 five-star ratings on Trustpilot, Google, and Consumer Affairs combined (per Augusta’s website), the consistent pattern in reviews is that customers felt informed rather than sold to.
Augusta also takes an explicit public position against celebrity endorsements and premium coin upsells, describing these as red flags in the industry rather than selling points for themselves. That transparency about industry-wide practices is unusual and worth noting for investors evaluating multiple companies.
Fees and Minimums
Augusta does not publish a detailed fee schedule on their public website, which is common in this sector. Industry sources including Money.com and Investopedia consistently report a minimum around $50,000 for their gold IRA program. Augusta’s process routes investors to a free one-on-one consultation where current fee terms and account minimums are reviewed in detail. Augusta publicly advertises a multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollover accounts; the conditions for that waiver are confirmed during the consultation.
Request a written fee schedule from Augusta during your consultation before opening any account. Consult your tax advisor regarding the tax implications of a rollover for your specific situation before committing to any account structure.
Custodial Setup and Products
Augusta uses IRS-approved self-directed IRA custodians and regulated depositories to hold physical metals. Their public materials reference IRS-approved gold and silver specifically. Custodian and depository names are not listed on their public home page but are provided during the onboarding process. Augusta’s public position against coin upsells is a meaningful signal: the company explicitly tells investors that recommending premium collectible coins over standard IRA-eligible bullion for retirement accounts is a practice they avoid.
Pros
- Salaried, non-commissioned educators (no commission pressure)
- Money Magazine Best Overall 5 consecutive years (2022-2026)
- BBB A+ with zero complaints filed (2026)
- Structured education step before any sales conversation
- Publicly criticizes coin upsells and celebrity endorsements
- Goldiew verified rating: 4.71/5 (Excellent Reputation)
Cons
- Industry-reported ~$50,000 minimum excludes smaller investors
- Not a good fit for investors needing account liquidity within 5 years
- Fee schedule requires a consultation (not published publicly)
- Focused on gold and silver IRA only, not a general coin retailer
→ Best For
Retirees 55+ with $50,000 or more in a 401(k) or IRA considering a physical gold rollover. Investors who value an education-first, no-commission process before deciding.
× Not For
Investors below $50,000 in eligible retirement assets. Those who need account liquidity within 5 years. Investors primarily interested in buying physical coins or bullion outside of a retirement account.
Get Augusta’s free Gold IRA guide + company checklist
Free, no obligation. Money Magazine #1 (2022-2026) · BBB A+ Zero Complaints.
Lear Capital
Established Precious Metals Retailer Since 1997
Lear Capital has operated since 1997, making it one of the longer-tenured precious metals companies in the US retail market. Per their public website, they report over $3 billion in trusted transactions and more than 100,000 satisfied customers (learcapital.com/reputable/, 2026). The company was founded by Kevin DeMeritt, whom Lear describes as an investment professional with 20 years of experience in investment-quality gold. Current CEO is John Ohanesian, who joined after leading Bosley, Inc. for 20 years and expanding it to over 90 markets internationally. Lear’s business model is broader than Augusta’s: physical coin and bullion purchases, precious metals IRAs, coin valuation, and price alert tools all sit on the same platform.
What Lear Capital Offers
Lear Capital positions itself as a full-service precious metals dealer rather than a specialist gold IRA firm. That broader scope appeals to investors who want to buy physical metals outside of a retirement account, or who want access to a wider catalog including numismatic and limited mintage products. Their website offers real-time pricing for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, with 24-hour online bullion purchasing and email price alert notifications. A coin encyclopedia and valuation services round out the retail offering.
For IRA investors specifically, Lear Capital names their custodian and depository publicly: Self Directed IRA Services, Inc. handles account administration and provides quarterly statements, and the Delaware Depository holds physical metals with insurance underwritten by London Underwriters (source: learcapital.com/gold-ira/ira-faq/, 2026). That level of public disclosure on custodial and storage arrangements is more specific than what Augusta publishes on their website.
Lear Capital lists Judge Andrew Napolitano as a paid spokesman, described on their site as “a Lear Customer and Paid Spokesman.” Glenn Beck has appeared in customer testimonial content. Both are disclosed as paid or compensated arrangements on the company’s public pages.
Fees and Published Fee Schedule
Lear Capital publishes their fee structure on their IRA FAQ page. For standard accounts: $315 for the first year, $235 for each subsequent year, contingent on electronic statements and non-segregated storage. They also offer a tiered fee waiver for accounts holding limited mintage coins specifically: first year free for accounts between $25,000 and $50,000; first two years free for $50,000 to $75,000; and first three years free for accounts above $75,000. This waiver applies to limited mintage coin accounts only, not to all product types. Lear does not publish a minimum IRA investment on their public pages. Industry sources report thresholds in the range of $5,000 to $10,000 for opening an account, but this has not been confirmed on learcapital.com as of 2026.
Regulatory History and Transparency Context
Lear Capital holds BBB accreditation with an A+ rating and an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance (source: learcapital.com/about-lear-capital/, 2026). Their Trustpilot score is “Excellent” across 3,113 reviews, Consumer Affairs shows 4.8 out of 5 stars across 1,613 reviews, and Google shows 4.7 stars across 617 reviews (source: learcapital.com/about-lear-capital/customer-reviews/, 2026). On the surface, the customer review picture is strong.
Investors researching Lear Capital independently should also review their regulatory history. The company reached a settlement with the FTC involving restitution to consumers, and separately filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2022, emerging from that process and continuing operations under current leadership. These are matters of public court and regulatory record. Goldiew recommends checking the FTC enforcement database at ftc.gov and reviewing Lear Capital’s full BBB complaint file at bbb.org before making a decision. [MARC REVIEW NOTE: Please verify and add the specific FTC press release URL and case reference before publishing this guide.]
Pros
- 27 years in operation (since 1997), extensive track record
- 100,000+ customers served, $3 billion in reported transactions
- Published fee schedule with clear annual costs ($315/$235)
- Custodian and depository publicly named before account opening
- Broader product range: coins, bullion, numismatics, and IRA in one place
- Lower reported minimum makes it accessible to smaller accounts
Cons
- FTC settlement and 2022 Chapter 11 bankruptcy are material compliance concerns
- Fee waiver applies to limited mintage coins only (conditions apply)
- Commission-based vs. salaried sales model not disclosed on public pages
- Paid spokesperson model that Augusta specifically criticizes as an industry red flag
- No structured education-first step documented in public process
→ Best For
Investors buying physical metals outside an IRA. Those who want a broader coin catalog including numismatics. Smaller IRA accounts where Augusta’s reported $50,000 minimum is a practical barrier.
× Not For
Investors for whom a clean regulatory record is a non-negotiable requirement. Those seeking a documented non-commission, education-first process for a large rollover decision involving $50,000 or more.
Full Comparison: Augusta Precious Metals vs Lear Capital
The table below uses publicly verified facts. Where a fact could not be confirmed on the company’s own website or a cited third-party source, italic gray text indicates the limitation. Green-highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for that row.
| Comparison Factor | Augusta Precious Metals | Lear Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Goldiew Verified Rating | 4.71/5, Excellent Reputation (7 Goldiew reviews) | No Goldiew verified reviews on file |
| In Operation Since | 2012 (source: Augusta website, 2026) | 1997, 27 years (source: Lear website, 2026) |
| BBB Rating / Complaints | A+ with zero complaints (source: Augusta website, 2026) | A+ (source: Lear website, 2026), review complaint file at bbb.org |
| Industry Awards | Money Magazine Best Overall (2022-2026); Investopedia Most Transparent (2022-2026) | None listed on public website as of 2026 |
| Sales Staff Compensation | Salaried, non-commissioned (source: Augusta website, 2026) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Structured Education Step | Yes, mandatory 1-on-1 web conference before account discussion | Not documented as a structured step |
| Published Minimum Investment | Not published, industry-reported ~$50,000 | Not published, industry-reported ~$5,000-$10,000 |
| Published Annual Fee | Not published (reviewed at consultation) | $315 yr 1, $235 subsequent years (source: Lear IRA FAQ, 2026) |
| Fee Waiver Offer | Multi-year waiver for qualifying rollover accounts (terms at consultation) | Up to 3 years free for $75,000+ in limited mintage coins only (source: Lear IRA FAQ) |
| Custodian, Publicly Named | Not named on public website | Self Directed IRA Services, Inc. (source: Lear IRA FAQ, 2026) |
| Depository, Publicly Named | Not named on public website | Delaware Depository (source: Lear IRA FAQ, 2026) |
| Regulatory History | No FTC actions or bankruptcy filings on public record | FTC settlement + January 2022 Chapter 11 filing, public record (verify ftc.gov) |
| Customer Review Volume | 4,000+ five-star ratings across platforms (source: Augusta website) | 3,113 Trustpilot reviews “Excellent”; 1,613 Consumer Affairs (Lear website, Apr 2026) |
| Stance on Coin Upsells | Publicly criticizes premium coin upsells as an industry red flag | Offers limited mintage coin products; fee waivers tied to limited mintage purchases |
How to Choose Between Augusta and Lear Capital
The right choice depends on your account size, timeline, and what you value most. Five investor profiles clarify where each company fits:
Augusta
At this size, Augusta’s education-first process, zero-complaint BBB record, and non-commissioned staff represent the strongest combination of compliance and investor protection in this comparison. Five years of Money Magazine recognition support that assessment.
Consider Lear or other providers
Augusta’s reported minimum makes them inaccessible at this account size. Lear Capital’s lower reported threshold is one option. Research Lear’s full fee picture and regulatory history before committing. Other gold IRA providers exist at this tier worth evaluating.
Augusta, clearly
If a clean regulatory record matters to you, Augusta has no FTC enforcement history and no bankruptcy filing. Lear Capital’s 2021-2022 regulatory and financial events are public record and are a material concern for compliance-focused investors.
Lear Capital or other dealers
For buying physical coins or bullion outside a retirement account, Lear Capital’s broader catalog, online platform, real-time pricing, and coin valuation services are better suited than Augusta’s IRA-focused model.
Augusta
Augusta’s structured web conference with their director of education before any sales call is the most documented pre-commitment learning process in the gold IRA category. If understanding what you are signing matters to you, that structure is valuable.
Three factors should drive your final decision regardless of company size: fee transparency (can you get a written schedule before committing?), sales process (are you being educated or pressured?), and regulatory history (does the company have a clean public record?). On all three, Augusta leads this comparison for investors at the $50,000-plus level who have decided they want a gold IRA. For investors below that threshold, Lear Capital is one of the longer-tenured options in the market, but their regulatory history warrants independent due diligence before proceeding.
Get Augusta’s free Gold IRA guide + company checklist
Free, no obligation. Money Magazine #1 (2022-2026). BBB A+ Zero Complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment to open a gold IRA with Augusta Precious Metals?
Augusta does not publish a minimum investment figure on their website. Third-party sources including Money.com and Investopedia consistently report an industry-reported minimum around $50,000 in eligible retirement assets. Augusta’s process begins with a free educational web conference. The specific minimum for your situation is confirmed during a one-on-one consultation before any account is opened. Consult your tax advisor regarding your specific rollover situation before making a decision.
What is the minimum investment to open a gold IRA with Lear Capital?
Lear Capital does not publish a minimum investment on their public website as of 2026. Industry sources report thresholds in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Contact Lear Capital directly at 1-800-576-9355 or through learcapital.com to confirm current minimums for your specific account type before proceeding.
How do Augusta’s fees compare to Lear Capital’s fees?
Lear Capital publishes a fee schedule: $315 for year one and $235 annually thereafter, contingent on electronic statements and non-segregated storage (source: Lear Capital IRA FAQ, 2026). Augusta does not publish fees publicly. Their specific fee terms are reviewed during the free consultation. Augusta offers a multi-year fee waiver for qualifying rollover accounts, with terms confirmed at consultation. For a $100,000 account with Lear, 10 years of fees would total approximately $2,465 under the standard schedule. To compare Augusta’s fees directly, request a written schedule during their free consultation before opening any account.
Which company has a better BBB rating?
Both Augusta and Lear Capital hold BBB A+ ratings as of 2026. Augusta’s website states zero complaints filed. Lear Capital also carries an A+ rating and an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance. When comparing BBB records, the number and resolution pattern of complaints matters as much as the letter grade. Review each company’s full BBB profile at bbb.org before deciding. Also note that Lear Capital’s 2021 FTC settlement and 2022 bankruptcy are public record and separate from the BBB grade.
Can I roll over a 401(k) into a gold IRA?
Yes. Under IRS rules, a 401(k) rollover into a self-directed IRA holding physical gold is permitted, provided the metals meet IRS purity standards and are held by an IRS-approved custodian at an IRS-approved depository. Home storage of IRA gold is not allowed. Per IRS Publication 590-A, a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer is the cleanest method. The alternative indirect rollover gives you 60 days to deposit the funds; missing that window triggers a taxable distribution and a potential 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under 59.5. Consult your tax advisor before initiating a rollover.
Is home storage of IRA gold legal?
No. IRS rules require gold held inside a self-directed IRA to be stored at an IRS-approved depository, not at home or in a personal safe deposit box. Storing IRA gold at home is treated as a taxable distribution. Both Augusta and Lear Capital use IRS-approved depositories. Any company marketing a “home storage gold IRA” as a legitimate retirement account structure is misrepresenting IRS rules. FINRA’s Investor Alert on precious metals fraud covers this misrepresentation as one of the most common red flags in the category.
What gold and silver products are IRA-eligible?
Per IRS Publication 590-A, IRA-eligible gold must be at least 99.5% pure. Approved examples include the American Gold Eagle (an explicit IRS exception at 91.67%), Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and Austrian Gold Philharmonic. Silver must be 99.9% pure; platinum and palladium 99.95%. Collectible coins and most numismatic proof coins are not IRA-eligible. If a sales representative is pushing you toward premium collectible coins for your IRA account, ask them to confirm the specific product’s IRS eligibility in writing before purchasing.
What are the main risks of a gold IRA?
Precious metals prices are volatile and can drop significantly over any given period. Storage and custodial fees reduce returns compared to the same investment in a zero-fee account. Liquidity is lower than with publicly traded securities; selling metals takes more time and effort than selling a stock. Required Minimum Distributions starting at age 73 under current IRS rules may require selling metals to fund cash distributions. Coin premium markups above spot price can significantly reduce the actual metal content value of your account. Consult a licensed financial advisor before allocating retirement savings to physical metals. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Does Augusta have a buyback policy?
Augusta references a buyback program in their public materials. Specific terms, pricing, and process details are reviewed during the account setup consultation. Before opening any precious metals IRA, ask any provider for their buyback terms in writing. A clear, documented buyback policy is a standard due-diligence item that protects you if your circumstances change and you need to sell your metals before retirement.
How can I verify that a gold IRA company is legitimate?
Start with the BBB profile at bbb.org: check both the rating and the complaint history. Search ftc.gov for any enforcement actions or settlements involving the company. Request a written fee schedule before opening any account. Ask for the custodian’s full name and confirm the depository is on the IRS-approved list. Per FINRA guidance, red flags include home storage claims, guaranteed returns, unsolicited pressure calls, and urgency tactics. Both Augusta and Lear Capital have verifiable business histories, though their regulatory track records differ significantly, as shown in the comparison table above.
Sources and Methodology
This guide was produced by the Goldiew editorial team. All company facts were sourced from official public websites crawled in 2026, then cross-referenced against the following authoritative sources:
- ↗ IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (2024 edition)
- ↗ IRS: Traditional and Roth IRAs overview
- ↗ FINRA Investor Alert: Precious Metals Fraud
- ↗ SEC: Ten Things to Consider Before Making Investment Decisions
- ↗ FTC.gov: Enforcement actions database (search by company name for current records)
- ↗ Augusta Precious Metals official website (home page, crawled May 2026)
- ↗ Augusta Precious Metals: About page (CEO Isaac Nuriani, Director Devlyn Steele, 2026)
- ↗ Lear Capital: About page (founded 1997, $3B transactions, 2026)
- ↗ Lear Capital: Executive Leadership (founder Kevin DeMeritt, CEO John Ohanesian, 2026)
- ↗ Lear Capital: IRA FAQ (fee schedule $315/$235, custodian, depository, 2026)
- ↗ Lear Capital: Customer Reviews (Trustpilot 3,113, Consumer Affairs 1,613, 2026)
- ↗ Goldiew internal review database: Augusta 4.71/5 average, 7 manually verified reviews, Safety Index: Excellent Reputation (2026)
For this specific guide: the 8-criteria framework was applied equally to both companies from publicly available information. Where a fact was not publicly confirmed, we used “industry-reported” or “not publicly stated” qualifiers rather than citing unverified figures. Goldiew holds no affiliate or commercial relationship with Lear Capital. The Augusta recommendation reflects our evaluation of merit across the eight criteria, not commission structure. For questions or corrections, see the About page.