How We Score IRA Providers
Our scoring methodology is transparent, data-driven, and updated continuously. Every score is derived from publicly verifiable data — no paid placements, no affiliate-influenced rankings.
Our Independence Commitment
IRA Research Hub does not accept payment for provider rankings or reviews. Affiliate links (marked with →) may earn us a commission if you open an account, but this never influences our scores or rankings. Providers cannot pay to improve their score — all scores are calculated algorithmically from public data.
Scoring Framework
Every provider is scored on a 10-point scale across six weighted categories. The overall score is a weighted average of these six dimensions. Scores are recalculated quarterly or when a provider makes material changes to its offering.
| Category | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Fee Transparency | 20% | Setup fees, annual fees, transaction fees, storage fees — all disclosed clearly and competitively priced |
| Asset Selection | 20% | Number of supported assets, IRS compliance, quality of available products |
| Security & Custody | 20% | Custodian quality, insurance coverage, storage type (segregated vs commingled), cold storage protocols |
| IRS Compliance | 15% | Regulatory standing, IRS audit history, compliance documentation, custodian licensing |
| Customer Support | 15% | Response times, support channels, account manager availability, complaint resolution |
| Reputation | 10% | BBB rating, Trustpilot score, years in business, regulatory actions, customer review volume |
Score Scale
Data Sources
All data used in our scoring is sourced from publicly verifiable, primary sources. We do not rely on provider-supplied marketing materials for factual claims.
Update Policy
Provider scores are updated on the following schedule:
What We Don't Do
- ✗Accept payment for higher rankings or scores
- ✗Allow providers to review or approve their scores before publication
- ✗Use "sponsored" or "featured" placements that affect ranking order
- ✗Inflate scores for providers with higher affiliate commission rates
- ✗Remove negative reviews or complaints from our analysis
Publisher: IRA Research Hub is owned and operated by Swoon.ai. This methodology is maintained by the IRA Research Hub editorial team under the oversight of Swoon.ai. Editorial standards, research integrity, and publishing operations are the responsibility of Natacha Gaymer-Jones, Founder of Swoon.ai.
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