For investors looking to diversify their retirement portfolios with alternative assets—such as real estate, private equity, or cryptocurrency, Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) are a powerful tool. Two of the most well-known providers in this space are IRA Financial and Columbia Private Trust (formerly known as PENSCO and Pacific Premier Trust ). While both allow you to step outside traditional Wall Street assets, they differ in important ways, especially around fees, investment flexibility, technology, and client experience.
This side-by-side comparison will help you understand which provider may better align with your goals, experience level, and desired level of control.
Pricing & Fees: Transparent, Flat, and Investor-Friendly
Cost is one of the most important—and often confusing—factors when selecting an SDIRA provider. While IRA Financial offers a flat-fee, checkbook-control model, Columbia Private Trust uses a more traditional custodial pricing structure that scales with account size and transaction activity.
 |  | |
Setup Fee | $0 | $50 |
Annual Fee | $495 | $750 |
Asset Value Fee | $0 | $600 |
Investment Fee | $0 | $1,000 |
Roth Conversion Fee | $0 | $150 |
1 Year Total Cost | $495 | $2,500 |
5 Year Total Cost | $2,475 | $7,900 |
Based on 4 investments and a $200K balance
IRA Financial:
- Flat, transparent annual fees—Self-Directed IRAs start at $495/year, with other plans available from $100/year.
- No setup fee for a custodian-controlled plan; One-time fee for a Checkbook IRA
- No asset-based fees, transaction fees, or hidden charges—just one clear price.
- IRAfi Crypto platform with low trading costs for buying, selling, and trading crypto directly in the IRA Financial app.
Columbia Private Trust:
- Setup fee: typically $50–$100.
- Annual asset-based fee ranging from $300 to $2,000+ depending on account value.
- Transaction fees for asset purchases/sales: $95–$125 per transaction.
- Charges for asset valuations, disbursements, and re-registrations.
Summary
IRA Financial’s flat fees make it the clear choice for active investors who want predictable costs. Columbia Private Trust’s model may be attractive to passive investors with simpler portfolios, but can quickly get expensive as balances and transactions grow.
Winner: IRA Financial.
Flat, predictable fees make costs easy to manage—even with multiple investments.
Winner: IRA Financial.
Flat, predictable fees make costs easy to manage—even with multiple investments.
Investment Flexibility & Product Options
The type of assets you can hold—and how you can purchase them—differs between providers. Both support a wide range of alternatives, but the level of investor control is where they diverge.
| | |
Self-Directed IRA | ||
Solo 401(k) | ||
Checkbook Control | ||
ROBS Structure | ||
Crypto Platform |
IRA Financial:
- Full range of Self-Directed IRA investments, including real estate, private lending, startups, and precious metals, plus direct crypto investing.
- Unified platform combining crypto, checkbook control, real estate, and more in one place.
- Advanced retirement structures: Solo 401(k) plans, Checkbook IRA, SEP & SIMPLE IRAs, HSAs, Coverdell accounts, and ROBS funding solutions for businesses.
- Designed for today’s investors with a mobile-first approach and an intuitive account dashboard.
Columbia Private Trust:
- Direct custodian model (no checkbook control).
- Supported assets: real estate, private equity, LLCs, LPs, notes, precious metals.
- Crypto available via select partner platforms.
- Account types: Roth, Traditional, SEP, SIMPLE IRAs, Inherited IRAs.
- All assets must be reviewed and approved by custodian before purchase.
Summary
IRA Financial offers more flexibility with checkbook control, direct crypto investing, and advanced retirement plan structures. Columbia Private Trust takes a traditional custodian role—better for investors who prefer oversight and compliance handled for them.
Winner: IRA Financial.
Offers maximum control and access to a wide range of alternative assets.
Winner: IRA Financial.
Offers maximum control and access to a wide range of alternative assets.
Technology: Built for the Modern Investor
In today’s investing world, technology plays a big role in convenience and efficiency. IRA Financial takes a mobile-first approach, while Columbia Private Trust maintains a more traditional online portal.
IRA Financial:
- Proprietary mobile app for onboarding, document signing, and investment management.
- Modern dashboard with a clean, user-friendly interface.
- 100% digital onboarding, secure document storage, and automated compliance.
- Consolidated tools for crypto trading, real-time dashboards, and checkbook control in a single portal.
- Strong focus on tech-driven, paperless processes.
Columbia Private Trust:
- Web-based client portal for account access and document upload.
- Online forms for asset submissions and disbursements.
- No mobile app; processes are slower and more manual.
- Limited automation compared to tech-first platforms.
Summary
IRA Financial leads with modern, app-based tech and automation. Columbia Private Trust offers reliable but less innovative tools, reflecting its focus on compliance over convenience.
Winner: IRA Financial.
Mobile-first platform and automation streamline investing and save time.
Winner: IRA Financial.
Mobile-first platform and automation streamline investing and save time.
Reputation & Customer Reviews: Trusted by Thousands
Track record and trustworthiness are critical when entrusting a custodian with your retirement funds. IRA Financial and Columbia Private Trust both have strong reputations, though they appeal to different investor profiles.
| | |
Trustpilot | 4.8 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 |
4.8 / 5 | 4..7 / 5 | |
Other Platforms | 4.8 / 5 | 2.4 / 5 |
IRA Financial:
- Trusted for quick account setup, responsive support, and transparent pricing.
- Backed by 3,000+ 5-star reviews across Google, Trustpilot, and other platforms.
- Founded by tax attorney Adam Bergman, who provides ongoing education through weekly videos and blog content.
- Frequently praised for fast setup, responsive staff, and educational content.
- Criticisms mostly focus on complexity of managing LLCs for new investors.
Columbia Private Trust:
- One of the oldest and most established SDIRA custodians (since 1989, originally PENSCO).
- Now backed by Columbia Bank (NASDAQ: COLB), providing strong institutional stability.
- Well-regarded among advisors and institutional investors, but customer reviews note slower responsiveness.
Summary
IRA Financial shines for responsiveness and education, making it popular with DIY investors. Columbia Private Trust offers legacy credibility and institutional strength, appealing more to conservative investors.
Winner: Tie.
Trusted, responsive, and client-focused—IRA Financial earns rave reviews while Columbia Private Trust brings legacy credibility.
Winner: Tie.
Trusted, responsive, and client-focused—IRA Financial earns rave reviews while Columbia Private Trust brings legacy credibility.
The Bottom Line: Why IRA Financial Is the Smarter Choice
Both IRA Financial and Columbia Private Trust are strong players in the Self-Directed IRA space—but they cater to different investor profiles.
- Choose IRA Financial if you want:
- Flat fees
- Checkbook control
- Crypto or real estate flexibility
- Mobile-first tech and hands-on control
- Choose Columbia Private Trust if you prefer:
- A long-standing traditional custodian (since 1989)
- Asset-based pricing that may benefit passive investors
- Institutional support under Columbia Bank
- A compliance-first, advisor-friendly structure
Ultimately, the best fit depends on whether you prioritize control and low fees (IRA Financial) or custodial structure and legacy trust (Columbia Private Trust).
Ready to invest freely and retire confidently?
