Orion Metal Exchange or Goldco: A Clear Winner…

Goldco and Orion Metal Exchange are both prominent in the precious metals arena, but they offer quite different experiences to retirement investors. Goldco is built from the ground up as a dedicated Gold IRA provider, focusing on streamlined rollover processes, clear service, and valuable promotions. Orion Metal Exchange, a newer competitor, positions itself as a client-friendly alternative with transparency, flexibility, and a boutique experience.

In this comparison, we analyze how these firms differ in IRA minimums, fees, pricing transparency, product offerings, promotions, customer service, buyback policies, and reputation. We also describe which investor each company best serves and provide a “How to Choose Between” guide. 

Key Takeaways

• Overall: Both Goldco and Orion Metal Exchange are viewed positively by customers and maintain solid reputations in the industry.
• IRA Minimums: Goldco typically requires a $25,000 minimum rollover, whereas Orion often accommodates lower minimums (around $10,000), making it more accessible for smaller accounts.
• Fees: Annual fees at both firms fall in the $200-$300 range, varying by custodian and storage selection.
• Promotions: Goldco is known for bonus silver promotions (up to 10 percent) for qualifying clients; Orion’s strategy is less about promotions and more about transparency and client alignment.
• Buyback: Goldco provides a Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee for liquidity assurance, while Orion offers a buyback program without guaranteed pricing.

Company Snapshots

1. Goldco

Minimum for Gold IRA: Generally $25,000 to open or roll over a retirement account.

Typical annual fees: Roughly $225 per year post-setup; the first year often costs $275–$325 to cover setup tasks.

Promotions: Frequently offers up to 10 percent in bonus silver on qualifying IRA investments.

Buyback: Maintains a Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee to ensure top market resale value.

Reputation: A+ BBB rating, many service awards, and thousands of positive reviews.

Products: Offers IRA-eligible gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars.

2. Orion Metal Exchange

Minimums: Often accepts IRA agreements starting near $10,000, making entry more flexible for smaller investors.

Typical annual fees: Between $200 and $300, depending on the custodian and vault selection.

Promotions: Does not regularly offer bonus metal incentives; instead emphasizes fee clarity and client alignment.

Buyback: Provides a buyback mechanism, allowing holders to liquidate, though without guaranteed pricing.

Reputation: Growing brand with positive feedback on responsiveness and clarity; newer in comparison to long-established firms.

Products: Focuses on gold and silver bullion, with ability to provide platinum and palladium upon request for IRA accounts.

Head to Head Comparison

Which Investor Does Each Company Suit Best?

Goldco is ideal if you want to:

• Ideal for those ready to roll over $25,000 or more into a retirement metals allocation and expect full-service support through every step.
• It appeals to investors who want promotions like bonus silver that immediately boost the value of their contribution.
• It’s a strong option for those who prefer a refined, turnkey IRA setup with specialist management, custodian coordination, and storage logistics handled for them.
• Goldco delivers confidence through its Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee, providing predictability and reliability when you are ready to liquidate holdings.

Orion Metal Exchange is ideal if you want to:

• Ideal for investors who prefer to start with moderate capital levels—around $10,000—and scale over time as confidence grows.
• It’s a strong match for clients who value transparent pricing, direct advisor access, and flexibility in metal selection as their goals evolve.
• It suits those who want an alternative to large promotional firms and appreciate a more personalized, boutique experience.

Practical Cost Illustration

Both Goldco and Orion incur annual costs in the $200 to $300 range, depending on custodian and vault choices.

In a $100,000 rollover scenario, Goldco’s bonus silver incentive could provide up to $10,000 in additional metal, effectively offsetting years of maintenance fees.

Orion’s model does not include promotional metal bonuses, but its lower entry point and transparent fee structure appeal to smaller or incremental investors.

Over time, Goldco’s incentives and guarantee often yield greater net value for larger accounts, while Orion’s flexibility and client approach may suit investors who prefer gradual allocation.

Service Model & Setup Experience

Goldco assigns a dedicated specialist to each client, guiding the entire IRA rollover—from documentation to storage delivery—ensuring all IRS rules are adhered to.

Orion’s model emphasizes advisor partnership: clients may enjoy more direct contact and ongoing flexibility in metal selection and allocations.

Goldco’s process is optimized for speed, compliance, and efficiency; Orion’s leans more toward customization and adaptable client support.

Risk & Liquidity Considerations

Goldco’s guaranteed buyback gives investors more certainty when exiting their metal positions, regardless of market timing.

Orion’s resale path is trustworthy but depends heavily on current market rates and demand, particularly for less common metals.

Both companies view precious metals as long-term protections rather than speculative assets. Spreads still apply in all trades, and management overhead remains.

Investors who want predictable exit value will favor Goldco’s guarantee, while those comfortable with market variability but seeking flexibility may lean toward Orion.

How to Choose Between Goldco and Orion Metal Exchange

1. For lower initial investment: Orion Metal Exchange has the advantage. Its ~$10,000 starting point makes it accessible to more investors compared to Goldco’s $25,000 threshold.
2. For long-term cost efficiency with a large balance: Goldco is superior: its bonuses and guarantee structure deliver better value over time for larger portfolios.
3. For fee waivers and promotions: Goldco clearly wins with its bonus silver offerings. Orion does not compete heavily in promotional incentives.
4. For dedicated, personalized guidance: Goldco offers process reliability and scale. Orion performs strongly with their boutique model.
5. For product variety: Goldco leads—its catalog regularly includes all four IRA-approved metals; Orion offers flexibility but may require customized requests.
6. For fee transparency: Both firms lay out premium, storage, and custodial costs early in discussions.

Final Verdict

Goldco and Orion Metal Exchange both have strengths, and the better choice depends largely on your priorities. Orion appeals to investors who want lower entry points, close advisor contact, and flexibility in scaling their metals exposure. It’s especially appealing to investors who value transparency and personal attention over promotional perks.

Goldco, however, remains the stronger pick for retirement-focused investors seeking structure, incentives, and guaranteed liquidity. Its streamlined process, bonus silver programs, and Highest Price BuyBack Guarantee provide confidence and value over the long run.

Overall Winner: Goldco — offering the best combination of service, value, education, and security for Gold IRA investors. Start with Goldco here.