Alto and iTrustCapital are two self-directed IRA investment companies that provide user-friendly platforms to invest using your individual retirement account in alternative assets like cryptocurrencies. This article outlines the similarities and differences between the two companies to help you decide which platform is best for you.
What Is iTrustCapital?
iTrust Capital is a self-directed IRA platform that allows its users to invest in cryptocurrencies and physical gold and silver using their IRA retirement accounts. iTrust Capital was founded in 2018 and currently boasts over 100,000 created user accounts, with approximately $2 billion in assets on the platform.
Invest in over 30 cryptocurrencies from your checking account with no trading fees with the Current mobile app crypto feature.
Titan is an investment platform with a team of experts actively managing your portfolio based on your chosen strategy, including cryptocurrencies.
Alto IRA allows you to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and even gold for your retirement.
What Does iTrustCapital Offer?
The iTrustCapital platform is particularly suited to investors looking to self-manage their long-term retirement investments. However, the platform also supports short-term trading, with 24/7 access and transactions that are settled within seconds.
iTrustCapital offers a simple and low-cost fee structure, consisting of a flat transaction fee for the asset you are trading and no monthly fee for personal accounts.
When you sign up with iTrustCapital, you can choose the type of IRA account that suits you and take advantage of the tax benefits that IRAs provide.
iTrust Capital predominantly receives a 5-star rating across review sites such as Trustpilot. Seventy-five percent of Trustpilot reviews give the company a 5-star rating, with only 10% of users giving the platform less than four stars.
iTrustCapital Fees
- 1% commission fee for cryptocurrencies transactions
- $50 over the spot per ounce gold bullion transaction fee
- $2.50 over the spot per ounce silver transaction fee
- No monthly fee for personal accounts
- No additional or hidden fees
iTrustCapital Features
- Real-time, 24/7 trading in your retirement account
- Convenient, easy-to-access, user-friendly platform
- Simple fee structure, with no additional or hidden costs
- Trade a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)
- Secure platform and storage with Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks
- Buy and sell gold and silver bullion, with secure storage at the Royal Canadian Mint
- $2,000 minimum initial investment to open an account, with $1,000 minimum additional investment required
- Easily transfer your existing Bitcoin IRA or Crypto IRA to iTrustCapital IN-KIND (no additional fees or necessary liquidation of cryptocurrency)
- Customer service is available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
What Is Alto IRA?
Alto is a Nashville-based investment company founded in 2018. The Alto investment platform allows its users to invest using their IRA retirement accounts and take advantage of these accounts’ tax benefits.
Alto offers two investment products: Alto IRA, which gives investors access to alternative assets, such as real estate, fine art, and startups, and Alto CryptoIRA, which allows investors to trade cryptocurrencies. Alto currently hosts around 20,000 funded accounts, with nearly $1 billion in assets, approximately 40% of which are dedicated to holding cryptocurrencies.
Invest in over 30 cryptocurrencies from your checking account with no trading fees with the Current mobile app crypto feature.
Titan is an investment platform with a team of experts actively managing your portfolio based on your chosen strategy, including cryptocurrencies.
Alto IRA allows you to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and even gold for your retirement.
What Does Alto IRA Offer?
The Alto investment platform provides real-time, 24/7 trading of cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets. Customer reviews report that the platform is user-friendly easy to set up, with excellent customer service provided by the Alto IRA team.
Alto provides an uncomplicated fee structure, with no hidden fees, minimums, setup fees, or commissions. Instead, their crypto trading IRA has a 1% transaction fee, while the Alto IRA features membership and transaction fees.
Alto applies industry-leading security measures, with Coinbase providing secure offline asset storage and insurance coverage. Alto’s integration with Coinbase means users do not have to set up an LLC, choose an exchange, or create a digital wallet.
An Alto CryptoIRA features over 135 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Alto’s CryptoIRA only allows cryptocurrency trading through the Coinbase exchange; however, users can also have an AltoIRA account to trade other assets.
With an Alto IRA account, users have access to over 75 additional specialized investment platforms, such as Blueaura for real estate, Prosper for private credit, Iron Edge for venture capital, BKCoin Capital for cryptocurrencies, Acre Trader for farmland, Equiam for pre-IPOs, Spaced Ventures for startups, and Franshares for crowdfunding.
Alto CyptoIRA Fees
- No account or custody fees
- 1% trade fee of the order size per transaction
- $50 account closure fee
- $25 outbound wire transfer fee
Alto IRA Fees
- $25 monthly or $250 annual Pro account fee
- $10 monthly or $100 annual Starter account fee
- $10-$50 partner investment fee (for partner investments Alto makes on your behalf)
- $75 private investment fee (for Pro accounts only)
- $50 account closure fee
- $25 outbound wire transfer fee
Alto IRA Features
- Real-time, 24/7 investment platform
- Alto CryptoIRA account, providing access to over 135 crypto assets through the Coinbase exchange
- Alto IRA account, providing access to alternative assets through over 75 partner investment platforms
- Straightforward fee structure
- IRA tax benefits
- Coinbase secure offline asset storage and insurance coverage
- Alto IRA assets secured in FDIC-insured accounts
- Digital assets secured by a combination of Coinbase hot and cold storage
- Digital assets are protected by Coinbase insurance coverage (A $320 million limit and $3 million cybercrime insurance policy)
iTrustCapital vs. Alto IRA
Differences
iTrustCapital is dedicated to investing in cryptocurrencies, as well as gold and silver bullion. In comparison, Alto offers cryptocurrency investing and access to other alternative assets through partnerships with other specialized investment platforms.
Although iTrustCapital and Alto have the same cryptocurrency 1% transaction fee, Alto also charges a $50 account closure fee and a $25 outbound wire transfer fee. Physical gold and silver can be traded through the iTrustCapital platform for $50 and $2.50 over the spot per ounce price, respectively. Whereas with Alto, investors need to pay $10 to $50 transaction fees to trade non-crypto assets and monthly or annual account fees.
Similarities
Both iTrustCapital and Alto offer user-friendly, convenient platforms to invest with your IRA retirement account. Both platforms are accessible 24/7 and provide real-time trading. Cryptocurrencies can also be traded on both the iTrustCapital and Alto platforms.
iTrustCapital and Alto both offer self-directed IRA retirement investing that provides investors with IRA tax benefits. Assistance with setting up accounts and transferring funds is also provided by both companies.
Both iTrust Capital and Alto offer industry-leading security measures and storage. Both companies are also US-regulated with insurance coverage against cyber hacks or theft.
Customer service reviews for both platforms report a high level of service, with customer service available during regular business hours.
iTrustCapital vs. Alto IRA: Which One Is Best for You?
Both iTrustCapital and Alto offer similar investment platforms, particularly if you want to invest in cryptocurrencies. Therefore, choosing between iTrust Capital and Alto will come down to the type of investor you are, which fee structure works best for you, and whether you would like access to other investment assets outside of cryptocurrencies or gold and silver bullion.
If you are looking for a platform to trade cryptocurrencies, one that does not have additional fees beyond the 1% per transaction fee, then iTrustCapital is the platform for you. Whereas, if you would like access to other alternative assets, such as real estate or venture capital, then Alto provides that access. However, the fees charged by Alto to access its partner’s platforms and other additional fees will need to be considered.
