Last updated: July 2026

If you are looking for the best Self-Directed IRA company and are ready to take control of your retirement savings and diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds, a Self-Directed IRA offers powerful investing flexibility. SDIRAs allow you to invest in real estate, private equity, precious metals, cryptocurrency, and more, giving you the freedom to build a truly customized portfolio.

With numerous custodians available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. To simplify your search, we evaluated and compared 10 Self-Directed IRA companies based on fees, investment options, account control, technology, and overall reputation. All information was pulled from company websites as of July 2026.

Who Should Consider a Self-Directed IRA?

People who benefit most from SDIRAs include:

• Investors seeking alternative assets like real estate, tax liens, private placements, and cryptocurrency
• Those wanting greater control over retirement investments than traditional brokerages provide
• Investors with experience evaluating investment opportunities and willing to perform due diligence
• Individuals focused on portfolio diversification beyond stocks and ETFs

How We Evaluated These Self-Directed IRA Providers

We reviewed each company based on:

• Fees: annual, setup, and asset valuation fees
• Investment options: access to real estate, crypto, private equity, etc.
• Checkbook control availability
• Technology: mobile/online tools
• Reputation & reviews

Information pulled from company websites, as of the article publish date.

1. IRA Financial

Best Overall

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	Flat $495/year
Setup Fee	$0
Investment Options	Real estate, private equity, promissory notes, precious metals, crypto, stocks, ETFs
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes
Technology	Mobile app + web dashboard; digital funding and transfers; integrated crypto trading
Reputation	27,000+ clients, $7B+ in assets, 2,000+ five-star reviews

Summary: The most complete Self-Directed IRA solution available. Flat fees, in-house tax and ERISA expertise, audit protection, integrated stock and alternative investing, and a modern platform make IRA Financial the strongest overall choice for serious alternative investors. IRA Financial has also been consistently ranked as a best Self-Directed IRA company by the editorial teams at NerdWallet, Bankrate, Investopedia, and several other financial publications.

2. Equity Trust Company

Best for Established Investors Seeking Broad Asset Access

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	~$1,000/year at $200,000 balance (tiered by account value)
Setup Fee	$50
Investment Options	Real estate, metals, private placements, cryptocurrency, private equity
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes (real estate only)
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes
Technology	Online dashboard for account management
Reputation	Founded 1974, billions in assets, large client base

Summary: A long-standing custodian with broad alternative asset support and a large service team. Tiered fees grow with your account balance and checkbook control is limited to real estate only.

3. Rocket Dollar

Best Subscription-Based Model

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$480/year (Gold tier, $40/month); Digital Trust custodian fees may apply separately
Setup Fee	$600 (Gold tier)
Investment Options	Real estate, private equity, promissory notes, crypto, precious metals, partnerships
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes (Gold and Platinum tiers)
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes (Platinum tier only)
Technology	Online portal for account setup, funding, and investment tracking
Reputation	Subscription-based, AUM-free model; growing user base

Summary: Flexible subscription model with checkbook control and strong investment options. Note that Rocket Dollar platform fees are separate from Digital Trust custodian fees, which may apply depending on investment activity. Solo 401(k) requires the Platinum tier ($50/month, $900 setup).

4. uDirect IRA Services

Best for Real Estate Investors Seeking Lower Annual Fees

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$275/year
Setup Fee	$50
Investment Options	Real estate, promissory notes, tax liens, private placements, precious metals
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes ($400 plan document fee)
Technology	Web portal, limited automation
Reputation	Well regarded among real estate investors

Summary: Straightforward, low-cost option for real estate and private loans with checkbook control and Solo 401(k) access. Limited technology and service depth compared to full-service providers.

5. Alto IRA

Best for Private Equity and Venture Capital Access

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$400/year (accounts over $30,000, billed $100/quarter)
Setup Fee	$0
Investment Options	Private equity, venture capital, real estate, cryptocurrency via Alto Marketplace and integrated partners
Checkbook Control	❌ No
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	❌ No
Technology	Modern online setup and dashboard with partner investment marketplace
Reputation	$2B+ in assets, tens of thousands of investors

Summary: Ideal for investors focused on private equity, VC, and crypto through Alto’s partner marketplace. Lacks checkbook control and Solo 401(k), which limits versatility for self-employed investors or those wanting direct investment authority.

6. Accuplan Benefit Services

A Straightforward Option for Standard Alternative Asset Investing

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$349.95/year
Setup Fee	$50
Investment Options	Real estate, private placements, precious metals, cryptocurrency
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes
Technology	Web portal, limited automation
Reputation	Third-party administrator; custody via American Estate & Trust

Summary: Competitively priced with checkbook control and Solo 401(k) access. Accuplan is a third-party administrator, not a direct custodian. Assets are held by American Estate & Trust, which is worth understanding before committing.

7. Strata Trust Company

Best for Precious Metals Investors

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$350/year (Flex tier) + $150/real estate asset per year (capped at $1,500)
Setup Fee	$50 (waived for online opening)
Investment Options	Real estate, private equity, promissory notes, precious metals, public market investments
Checkbook Control	❌ No
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	❌ No
Technology	Web portal with some digital tools
Reputation	Subsidiary of Horizon Bank; BBB-accredited

Summary: Solid for precious metals investors and straightforward alternative asset custody. Per-asset annual holding fees add up as your portfolio grows, and the absence of checkbook control and Solo 401(k) limits its appeal for self-employed or active investors.

8. New Direction Trust Company

Per-Asset Pricing Model

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$425/year per real estate asset; no base annual fee
Setup Fee	$30 application fee
Investment Options	Real estate, private equity, private lending, precious metals, Checkbook IRA
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes ($425/year plan adoption fee)
Technology	Web portal; limited mobile support
Reputation	Established directed custodian; BBB-accredited

Summary: Competitive for investors holding a single asset who trade infrequently. The per-asset model scales quickly: one real estate asset costs $425/year, two cost $850, and four cost $1,700, making it one of the most expensive options for diversified alternative portfolios.

9. IRAR Trust Company

Lower Entry Cost with Per-Asset Fee Structure

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$199/year (includes one asset); $75/additional asset per year
Setup Fee	$100 (one-time account establishment)
Investment Options	Real estate, promissory notes, private placements
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	✅ Yes ($899/year, no transaction fees)
Technology	Web portal, limited automation
Reputation	Mixed; strong for real estate, some reported approval delays

Summary: The lowest entry-level annual fee on this list at $199 for a single asset. Investment options are narrower than most providers, focusing primarily on real estate, promissory notes, and private placements. A cost-effective starting point for simple portfolios.

10. The Entrust Group

Best Online Portal

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	$584/year at $200,000 ($329 base + 0.17% on asset value over $50,000)
Setup Fee	$50
Investment Options	Real estate, private equity, private lending, precious metals, cryptocurrency
Checkbook Control	✅ Yes (LLC must be set up manually)
Solo 401(k) / ROBS	❌ No
Technology	Award-winning online investor portal with portfolio tracking and marketplace access
Reputation	Founded 1981, $5B+ in assets under administration

Summary: A well-established platform with one of the strongest online portals in the Self-Directed IRA space. The 0.17% AUM-style surcharge on balances over $50,000 makes it increasingly expensive as your account grows, and the absence of a Solo 401(k) is a meaningful gap for self-employed investors.

Annual Cost Comparison at $200,000 Portfolio (Real Estate Assets)

Based on annual custodian fees only, excluding one-time setup fees and per-transaction fees. Real estate asset fees used where per-asset pricing applies. 

Provider	1 Asset	2 Assets	4 Assets
IRA Financial	$495	$495	$495
Alto IRA	$400	$400	$400
Rocket Dollar (Gold)	$480*	$480*	$480*
uDirect IRA	$275	$275	$275
Equity Trust	~$1,000	~$1,000	~$1,000
New Direction	$425	$850	$1,700
Accuplan	$349.95	$349.95	$349.95
Strata Trust (Flex)	$500	$650	$950
IRAR Trust	$199	$274	$424
Entrust Group	$584	$584	$584

Rocket Dollar platform fee only. Digital Trust charges $285 per real estate purchase, sale, or exchange transaction separately.

Fee structures that look competitive at one asset can become significantly more expensive as your portfolio grows. New Direction’s per-asset model reaches $1,700 per year at four assets. Strata’s Flex tier climbs to $950. Equity Trust stays near $1,000 regardless of asset count. IRA Financial’s flat $495 fee does not change, which means the value advantage grows alongside your portfolio.

Final Thoughts

For 2026, IRA Financial remains the top SDIRA custodian for investors seeking:

• Flat, predictable fees
• Checkbook control for fast investing
• Integrated mobile and web platforms
• Full support for alternative assets, Solo 401(k), and ROBS

IRA Financial has also been consistently ranked as a best Self-Directed IRA company by the editorial teams at NerdWallet, Investopedia, and several other financial publications.

Other notable options include:

• Rocket Dollar: subscription-based, flat-fee, broad alternative assets, checkbook control
• Alto IRA: streamlined access to private equity, VC, and crypto
• uDirect IRA Services: cost-effective choice for real estate investors needing IRA LLCs
• Equity Trust Company: long-standing custodian with broad alternative asset support

The right Self-Directed IRA provider can completely change how you grow and protect your retirement wealth. With access to real estate, private investments, cryptocurrency, and other alternative assets, an SDIRA gives you the freedom and flexibility traditional retirement accounts simply cannot match.

But not all providers are created equal. Fees, service, technology, investment flexibility, and compliance support all play a major role in your long-term success. Taking the time to compare your options now can mean the difference between a passive retirement account and a powerful, income-producing portfolio.

Fees are subject to change. All figures sourced from provider websites as of July 2026. Verify current fee schedules directly with each provider before making account decisions.