When markets crash, my retirement savings shouldn’t go down with them. That’s why I looked into Advantage Gold—a company promising to strengthen IRAs with physical gold and precious metals.
Their impressive customer ratings caught my eye, along with their commitment to teaching investors like me about metals investing.
But do they truly deliver what they advertise? I’ve examined their services closely in this review, breaking down everything from fees to purchase options.
Let’s dive in to discover if Advantage Gold offers the protection your retirement needs in today’s uncertain economy.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is Advantage Gold?
- 2 Advantage Gold Ratings and Reviews
- 3 Products and Services Offered by Advantage Gold
- 4 4 Easy Steps to Open an IRA Account with Advantage Gold
- 5 Custodian Options
- 6 Pricing and Fees
- 7 Pros and Cons of Advantage Gold
- 8 Is Advantage Gold a Scam?
- 9 Advantage Gold Vs. Competitors
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
- 11 Conclusion
What is Advantage Gold?
Advantage Gold is a precious metals IRA company based in Austin, Texas. Since starting in 2014, they’ve become an important part of the Gold IRA industry.
Advantage Gold helps Americans protect their savings by investing in physical precious metals, especially when the economy is shaky.
The company offers these services:
- Gold IRAs: Hold physical gold in retirement accounts.
- Silver IRAs: Add silver to retirement portfolios.
- Platinum and Palladium IRAs: Invest in other precious metals.
- 401(k) Rollovers: Move existing retirement funds into precious metals.
- Direct Precious Metals Purchases: Buy metals outside of retirement accounts.
- Buyback Program: Sell metals back to the company.
Advantage Gold really focuses on teaching customers. They provide lots of information, guides, and personal help so investors can understand the precious metals market. This helps clients make smart choices about their retirement savings and investments.
Who are the Founders of Advantage Gold?
Kirill Zagalsky and Adam Baratta started Advantage Gold. Their combined knowledge has helped make the company successful in the precious metals industry.
Kirill Zagalsky knows a lot about trading commodities and precious metals. His understanding of markets helps Advantage Gold create good investment strategies and take care of customers.
Zagalsky’s expertise allows the company to navigate the complex world of precious metals investing confidently.

Adam Baratta is an author and financial expert. He’s written books about gold investing, like “The Great Devaluation” and “Gold Is A Better Way.”
Baratta’s knowledge helps create Advantage Gold’s educational materials. He explains complicated financial ideas in ways that are easy to understand. This helps clients grasp how gold and other metals can be important in a diverse investment portfolio.
Under Zagalsky and Baratta’s leadership, Advantage Gold has grown quickly. Reports say the company made over $1 billion in sales in just eight years.
This shows that investors trust Advantage Gold’s services and expertise in the competitive Precious Metals IRA market.
Advantage Gold Ratings and Reviews
Advantage Gold has received high ratings from trusted review organizations:
Source: | Ratings: | Number of Reviews: |
Better Business Bureau | A+ | 67 |
Business Consumer Alliance | AAA | 2 |
ConsumerAffairs | 5/5 | 448 |
Trustpilot | 4.9 out of 5 | 1,765 |
TrustLink | 4.9 out of 5 | 492 |
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives Advantage Gold very good ratings with A+ score and 4.93 stars from more than 67 customer reviews since getting BBB accreditation in 2014.
- The Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) awards them their highest AAA rating, and they have zero complaints for three years running.
- On ConsumerAffairs platform customers rate them perfect 5 stars showing they are very happy with what they get.
- The company gets amazing scores on Trustpilot too with 4.9 stars from over 1,765 reviews where 98% give five stars and say good things about smart staff easy process and helping customers well.
- TrustLink names them best gold IRA company 7 times with 4.9 stars from more than 492 mostly very good reviews.
These good ratings show that Advantage Gold makes customers happy and runs an ethical business. Many reviews praise how the company explains things and helps customers throughout the investment process.
One customer on Trustpilot wrote, “The team at Advantage Gold was really helpful in setting up my Gold IRA. They answered all my questions and made me feel confident about my investment. Their educational resources helped me understand how precious metals fit into my retirement plan.”
Another BBB reviewer said, “I was unsure about investing in precious metals at first, but Advantage Gold’s clear approach and information made me feel better. Their customer service is great, and they keep me updated about how my investment is doing.”
While these ratings and reviews are mostly positive, it’s important to do your own research before making any investment decisions.
The precious metals market can change quickly, and past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. However, these high ratings suggest that Advantage Gold is a reputable company that focuses on helping customers.
Products and Services Offered by Advantage Gold
Advantage Gold offers several products and services for precious metals investing, especially Self-Directed IRAs:
1. Gold IRAs
This is Advantage Gold’s main product. A Gold IRA lets you hold physical gold in a tax-advantaged retirement account.
They offer IRS-approved gold coins and bars, like American Gold Eagles and Canadian Gold Maple Leafs. Holding gold in an IRA can protect against inflation and economic uncertainty.
2. Silver IRAs
Similar to Gold IRAs, but for silver. Advantage Gold offers silver coins and bars that meet IRS standards for IRAs.
Popular options include American Silver Eagles and Austrian Silver Philharmonics. Silver is often cheaper than gold but can still protect against economic changes.
3. Platinum and Palladium IRAs
For investors who want to diversify beyond gold and silver. These metals have unique industrial uses, which can affect their market value differently from gold and silver.
4. 401(k) Rollovers
Advantage Gold helps clients move their existing 401(k) accounts into precious metals IRAs. This is useful for people leaving jobs or retiring. The company guides clients through the process to avoid penalties or taxes.
5. Direct Precious Metals Purchases
For investors who want to buy precious metals outside of an IRA, Advantage Gold offers direct purchases of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. This gives more flexibility for investors who want to hold metals personally or invest beyond IRA rules.
6. Buyback Program
Advantage Gold offers to buy back precious metals from clients who want to sell. This helps investors who are worried about being able to sell their metals easily in the future.
4 Easy Steps to Open an IRA Account with Advantage Gold
Now the time comes to how you will start your journey with Advantage Gold and it is simply 4 easy steps that help you access different services. Have a look at what you should do to get started with your investment.
Step 1: Open an IRA Account
To start your investment journey with an IRA company, you need an IRA account that helps you to invest in precious metals.
Advantage Gold makes this process very easy for you and you just need to head to their customer service and they will do the rest of the work for you.
Their responsive customer team helps you with the needed documentation and paperwork to open an account without any problems.
If you are transferring your retirement fund to an IRA, must talk to your advisor and he will guide you through the rollover process It is very simple.
Step 2: Fund Your New Self-Directed Account
Once the account is set, this is the time for funding that you can do through different ways. You can likely fund your IRA through a transfer from another retirement account or a direct deposit from your bank account which is a very simple process.
Be sure to understand any fees that are associated with rollovers or deposits and if you are confused anywhere, relax because the customer support team will be right there for you.
Step 3: Choose Your Precious Metals
After funding, decide which precious metals you want to invest in within your IRA that help you secure your future.
Go through their product catalog and consider your research and risk tolerance when making any choices and as a supportive team, Advantage Gold will guide you every step.
Step 4: Choose Your Storage and Custody Options
After you have done all this, this is the time you need to choose your storage option and custodian who will maintain your precious metal with the best security systems.
They include the Delaware Depository in Wilmington DE and Brink’s Global Services for people living in Los Angeles or Salt Lake City in the US which are very secure.
You can choose any of the ones among these two depositories that are prominent in ensuring the ultimate maintenance and safety of your precious metal investment.
Throughout this process, Advantage Gold focuses on teaching investors and providing support to help them make informed decisions about their precious metals investments.
Custodian Options
When investing in a Gold IRA, the IRS requires that an approved custodian hold the assets. Advantage Gold works with reputable custodians to manage and store their clients’ investments properly. Two main options are:
1. Equity Trust
Equity Trust has over 45 years of experience with self-directed IRAs. They offer:
- Online account management.
- Dedicated support for precious metals IRAs.
- Educational resources.
- Competitive fees.
2. STRATA Trust
STRATA Trust specializes in self-directed IRAs and is known for good customer service. They provide:
- Efficient account setup and management.
- Experience with alternative assets.
- Easy-to-use online platform.
- Personalized support.
Both custodians work with secure storage facilities like Brinks Global Services and Delaware Depository. These facilities have strong security measures and insurance for stored assets.
When setting up an account, you can choose between these custodians based on your needs. Consider things like:
- Fees and potential hidden costs.
- How easy it is to manage your account.
- Quality of customer service.
- Additional services or resources offered.
- Reputation and how long they’ve been in business.
Remember, the custodian is separate from Advantage Gold. This separation is required by law and adds extra security for investors.
Pricing and Fees
Understanding fees is important when considering a Gold IRA. Advantage Gold’s fees are similar to other companies in the industry:
- Setup Fee: A one-time fee of about $295 to set up your account and handle initial paperwork.
- Annual Administrative Fee: Around $175 per year for ongoing account management, record-keeping, and reporting.
- Annual Storage Fee: About $100 per year to store your precious metals in a secure, IRS-approved facility.
- Additional Costs to Consider:
– Minimum Investment: Usually $5,000 to $10,000 to open an account.
– Precious Metals Prices: The cost of the actual metals you buy, which changes based on market prices.
– Shipping and Insurance: Possible extra fees for shipping and insuring your metals.
– Potential Liquidation Fees: There might be fees if you sell your metals, but Advantage Gold’s buyback program tries to keep these low.
Advantage Gold sometimes offers deals that can lower or remove certain fees, especially for larger investments. Always ask about current promotions when discussing your account.
While these fees are generally competitive, it’s important to compare them with other providers and think about how they might affect your investment returns over time.
Remember that investing in physical precious metals through an IRA usually costs more than a traditional stock and bond IRA because of storage and security needs.
Pros and Cons of Advantage Gold
Here are some of the key advantages and potential drawbacks you should know about Advantage Gold for precious metals investing:
Pros:
- Strong Focus on Education: Provides lots of resources to help investors understand precious metals.
- Excellent Customer Service: Many reviews praise their helpful support team.
- Positive Reputation: High ratings from trusted organizations.
- Experienced Leadership: Founders have valuable expertise in precious metals and finance.
- Variety of Products: Offers gold, silver, platinum, and palladium for IRAs.
- Buyback Program: Makes it easier for investors to sell their metals if needed.
- Lower Minimum Investment: $5,000 to $10,000 minimum is lower than some competitors.
Cons:
- Relatively New Company: Founded in 2014, so not as long a track record as some competitors.
- Potential for High-Pressure Sales: Some reviews mention aggressive sales tactics, though this isn’t a common complaint.
- Higher Fees than Traditional IRAs: Like all precious metals IRAs, fees are generally higher than standard stock and bond IRAs.
- Limited Investment Options Outside of Precious Metals: Focuses only on precious metals, not other alternative investments.
- Potential for Market Volatility: Precious metals prices can change quickly.
When thinking about these pros and cons, consider your personal investment goals and how comfortable you are with risk.
While Advantage Gold offers many benefits, especially for people new to precious metals investing, it’s wise to compare multiple providers before deciding.
Is Advantage Gold a Scam?
Advantage Gold is a genuine company that provides precious metals IRA services and based on different evidence it is not a scam.
In current scenario this company follows many rules and regulations for example IRS rules for precious metals IRAs and also has high ratings from trusted organizations like BBB and Trustpilot.
The company gives clear information about their products and services and many customers give positive feedback.
This company received many awards in precious metals industry and has real office with proper contact information.
Advantage Gold works with well-known IRS-approved custodians which makes it more reliable for customers.
However like any other investment precious metals IRAs can be risky because value of precious metals changes and there are many fees for these accounts but these factors don’t make Advantage Gold scam but they are very important to consider.
To protect yourself when investing:
- Research the company thoroughly.
- Ask questions and make sure you understand all fees and risks.
- Be careful of high-pressure sales tactics.
- Consider talking to an independent financial advisor.
- Compare offers from multiple companies.
- Check the company’s credentials.
- Read all the fine print.
A good company will encourage you to take your time and make an informed decision. If you feel pressured or unsure, it’s okay to take more time to think about your options.
Advantage Gold Vs. Competitors
Let’s compare Advantage Gold to some other Gold IRA companies:
1. Advantage Gold Vs. Goldco
Both have good reputations and offer similar services. Goldco has been around longer (since 2006). Advantage Gold is known for its educational resources.
Key Differences:
- Experience: Goldco has been in business longer.
- Minimum Investment: Goldco typically requires $25,000, while Advantage Gold needs $5,000 to $10,000.
- Educational Resources: Advantage Gold is especially known for teaching investors.
2. Advantage Gold Vs. Augusta Precious Metals
Augusta is known for being transparent and not using high-pressure sales tactics. They require a higher minimum investment ($50,000) than Advantage Gold ($5,000 to $10,000).
Key Differences:
- Minimum Investment: Augusta’s higher minimum might be hard for some investors.
- Approach: Augusta is known for no-pressure sales, while Advantage Gold focuses on education.
- Pricing Transparency: Augusta provides more pricing information upfront on their website.
3. Advantage Gold Vs. Birch Gold Group
Both companies focus on education and customer service. Birch Gold Group has been around longer (since 2003).
Key Differences:
- Experience: Birch Gold Group has been in the industry longer.
- Product Range: Both offer similar products, but Birch Gold Group also includes copper.
- Educational Approach: Both prioritize education, but their methods may differ.
When comparing these companies, consider:
- How much you know about precious metals investing and how much help you need.
- How much you plan to invest.
- If you prefer a newer or more established company.
- How important ongoing support and education are to you.
- Any specific precious metals products you’re interested in.
Remember, the best choice depends on your individual needs and goals. It’s always a good idea to research and compare multiple companies before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who owns Advantage Gold?
Advantage Gold was started by Kirill Zagalsky and Adam Baratta who are the owners of this company. They made this company so that Americans can invest their money in precious metals and get good returns.
Q2. Is my investment safe with Advantage Gold?
Yes, Advantage Gold makes sure that your investment is very safe and secure. They work with very good companies like Brink’s Global Services and the Delaware Depository that keep your precious metals in a very safe place with proper insurance.
Q3. Can I take possession of my precious metals in Advantage Gold if I need to?
Yes, you can take your precious metals from Advantage Gold whenever you want. You just need to call their customer service team and they will help you get your metals by telling you different steps that you need to follow.
Q4. How does Advantage Gold’s free IRA guide help customers?
Advantage Gold gives a free gold IRA guide that tells you many important things about investing in precious metals for your retirement.
This guide helps you understand good things and risks about precious metals IRA and also tells you how to make one.
Conclusion
Advantage Gold is a trusted precious metals IRA company that gives good service and many investment choices to customers.
Different review websites give them high ratings and they have leaders who know a lot about precious metals and teach customers about investing.
This company helps people who want to put gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in their retirement accounts.
If you are looking for a company that makes it easy to start an IRA and gives lots of information and help, then Advantage Gold can be very useful for your investment needs and goals.