Verified fee disclosures · reviewed October 29, 2026

Compare the fees that are public. Flag the ones that aren't.

Three self-directed IRA custodians, compared by published custodian and depository fee disclosures—not dealer rates, ratings, or paid rankings. The comparison is alphabetical.

✓ Official sources✓ No affiliate rankings✓ Missing fees stay missing

Adjust your account scenario

Some custodians vary fees with metal value or the number of asset types. This estimator applies only to published components; it does not pretend those are complete delivered costs.

Illustrative invested asset value

Number of distinct asset types

Storage style

Custodian disclosures; not all-in Gold IRA costs. Confirm your own account type and fee agreement.
Custodian	Annual IRA/admin	Annual vault storage	Published known components	What you still need	Source
Equity Trust	Account-specific	$110	Not computable	Maintenance fee depends on account and fee schedule; dealer buy/sell spreads, applicable extras	Official fee FAQ
STRATA Trust	$150	$115	$265 / yearpublished annual account + storage only	Dealer spreads; $40 metals transaction, $35 handling as applicable; shipping or closure extras	Official fee page
The Entrust Group	$219	Not disclosed	IncompleteAnnual admin known, storage unknown	Depository storage, possible third-party charges, dealer spreads	Official fee page

A lower published fee column does not prove a cheaper account. Storage rates may vary by depository and metal; fees may be waived, updated, paid by a dealer, or supplemented by transaction charges. Entrust's 0.17% additional charge applies to asset value above $50,000, with a $2,299 annual recordkeeping cap. Ask each custodian for a current, complete written quote.

Dealer markup is separate

Even an inexpensive custodian can't tell you what an unquoted dealer is charging over spot.

Illustrative gold vault, not a pictured custodian's facility

Vault choices matter

Segregated storage often carries a different price. Confirm vault, custody and insurance in writing.

Illustrative retirement planning discussion

Exits are part of the cost

Check account closure, in-kind distribution, shipping, wire and dealer liquidation fees.

Evidence and limitations

What each official fee source actually says

Equity Trust

Its FAQ lists $110/year non-segregated and $160/year segregated metal storage. It says annual account charges depend on the account type and value, rather than publishing one universal annual number on that FAQ.

Equity Trust fee FAQ

STRATA Trust

Precious Metals tier: $150 annual IRA administration; $115 commingled or $175 segregated storage for applicable metals. STRATA also lists $40 per metal purchase, sale or exchange, plus other processing charges.

STRATA price schedule

The Entrust Group

One asset type: $219 annual recordkeeping, plus 0.17% of asset value above $50,000; two or more: $329 base. Storage and shipping depend on the depository and are not included.

Entrust fees

We do not publish unverified testimonials, proprietary dealer spreads, fabricated ratings, or pretend that a custodian is the same as a metal dealer. Corrections and re-verification should be tracked before any published fee changes. Read the fee-source guide.

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