Best Self-Directed IRAs of 2025

Regular IRAs typically limit your investments to traditional assets like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. But if you want to expand your investment options, a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) offers access to alternative investments such as real estate, private equity, precious metals, and in some cases, cryptocurrencies (though restrictions may apply depending on your provider).

The main difference? More control over where your money goes. While SDIRAs still follow the same tax rules and contribution limits as Roth or Traditional IRAs, they allow for greater flexibility. However, since major brokerages typically don’t offer SDIRAs, you’ll need to work with a specialized custodian or administrator to manage your accounts and ensure compliance. 

If you’re aiming to build a more diverse retirement portfolio, an SDIRA might be worth considering.

📌 Also read: What is a Self-Directed IRA?

List of Best Self-Directed IRA Providers in 2025

Not all self-directed IRA (SDIRA) providers are the same. Fees, customer support, and investment options can vary significantly. Some providers focus on a single asset class, like cryptocurrency, while others offer a broader range of alternative investments, including real estate, private equity, and precious metals.

Here are the best SDIRA providers for 2025:

Carry Self-Directed IRA

Carry’s Pro Plan gives you access to both a self-directed Traditional IRA and a self-directed Roth IRA, making it easy to diversify with alternative investments. Once your accounts are set up, you can start investing right away through the Carry app.

Investment options:

✅ Buy crypto natively within the app

✅ Invest in alternative assets like startups, real estate, and even private shares in a professional basketball team

✅ Submit investment details easily through Carry’s platform

In addition, a Carry Pro account also comes with:

✅ A regular Traditional and Roth IRA

✅ Carry Solo 401k plan for self-employed individuals 

✅ Optional brokerage accounts for added investment flexibility

✅ Access to add-on Certified Financial Planner (CFP) support

Carry’s platform simplifies the process of funding self-directed accounts. You can make contributions in minutes and transfer funds from other retirement accounts with ease. 

Alto IRA

Alto IRA offers a flexible way to diversify your retirement savings beyond traditional assets. With options for Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs, you can invest in alternative assets such as crypto, farmland, startups, private credit, and real estate crowdfunding. Investment minimums typically range from $10 to $1,000+, with some opportunities available only to accredited investors.

Fee Structure:

✅ Alto IRA – Charges a quarterly account fee based on your invested capital. Each investment transaction incurs a $10 fee ($75 for Pro Plan users).

✅ Alto CryptoIRA – Designed for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. This account has no setup or maintenance fees. You pay a 1% trade fee on the USD amount for each buy or sell order, with investment minimums as low as $10. 

Equity Trust

Founded in 1974, Equity Trust is one of the most experienced SDIRA providers in the market. With over $34 billion in assets and more than 200,000 client accounts, it offers a robust platform for investing in a wide range of alternative assets.

Investment Options:

✅ Precious Metals – Invest in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium that meet specific fineness requirements.

✅ Cryptocurrency – Diversify with digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

✅ Private Debt and Equity – Participate in private loans or invest in private companies.

✅ Real Estate – Explore opportunities in residential and commercial properties.

Pacific Premier Trust

Pacific Premier Trust has specialized in  self-directed IRAs for over 30 years, managing approximately $18 billion in assets. It’s a popular choice for investors focused on  real estate and private equity.

Fee Structure:
✅ Annual Fees

✅ Transaction Fees

While SDIRA custodians can’t offer financial advice, Pacific Premier Trust is known for its customer service, ensuring your investments comply with IRA regulations.

Bitcoin IRA

If you’re looking to add cryptocurrencies like bitcoin to your retirement portfolio, BitcoinIRA specializes in this area. 

Key Features:

✅ Invest in 75+ cryptocurrencies – Includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other digital assets.

✅ 24/7 trading – Buy and sell crypto anytime, even outside market hours.

✅ Secure digital wallet – Assets are stored with multi-layer security protections. 

✅ Custodial insurance – Up to $250 million in insurance coverage for added protection

✅ Tax advantages – Potential for tax-deferred or tax-free growth, depending on your IRA type, investment performance, and compliance.

IRA Financial

IRA Financial was founded in 2010 and offers a broad range of alternative investment options through its self-directed IRAs. It’s ideal for those who want  direct control over their retirement assets and a wide range of investment options.

Features: 

✅ Checkbook Control Option – Manage investments directly without intermediary approval. 

✅ Diverse Investment Choices – Access a variety of assets, including real estate and crypto. 

✅ Flat Annual Fees – Transparent pricing with no hidden charges.

Fees:

Alternative Assets in a Self-Directed IRA

When people think of retirement investing, they usually picture stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. But those aren’t the only options. A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) allows you to invest in alternative assets, offering new ways to diversify your portfolio  beyond the stock market and take greater control of your financial future.

What Are Alternative Assets?

Alternative assets (also called alternative investments) are any assets that fall outside the traditional category of stocks, bonds, and cash. 

Common examples include:

✅ Real estate

✅ Private equity

✅ Cryptocurrencies and other digital assets (where supported)

✅ Precious metals

✅ Collectibles (with limitations under IRS rules)

Because these assets typically  don’t always follow the stock market, they can help diversify your portfolio. However, diversification does not guarantee earnings or protect against market losses. These investments must also follow IRS regulations and may pose unique liquidity, valuation, and compliance challenges.

📝 Important: All investments involve risk. Past performance is not a guarantee  of future results. Alternative assets may be less liquid, more volatile, and subject to different IRS rules compared to traditional investments. Tax treatment depends on proper compliance and individual circumstances.

Why Consider Investing in Alternative Assets?

Alternative assets can offer potential protection against inflation and provide greater diversification, as they tend to be less correlated to traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds. This may help reduce overall portfolio risk while increasing the potential for long-term returns. 

However, alternative investments come with trade-offs. They’re often less regulated by the SEC, have limited historical performance data, and are typically less liquid  which makes them harder to sell compared to traditional assets. Because of these factors, alternative assets are generally considered  higher risk, but they may  also offer higher reward potential for investors willing to navigate the complexities.

📝 Reminder: These investments are not suitable for all investors. It’s important to evaluate risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and IRS rules before allocating retirement funds to alternative assets.

What Are Some Examples of Alternative Assets?

Some common alternative investments are:

📌 Also read: Can You Invest In Alternative Assets with a Retirement Plan?

Can a 401k Invest in Alternative Assets?

A regular 401k plan that you receive from your employer typically doesn’t allow you to invest in alternative assets. Your options are usually limited to a small selection of mutual funds chosen by your employer when they set up the plan.

However, if you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or a small business owner, you can open a Solo 401k, which offers:

✅ Up to 10x the contribution limit of a self-directed IRA (SDIRA).

✅ Checkbook control – make investments in most asset classes without going through a custodian.

✅ Direct access to your Solo 401k bank account – write checks or wire funds yourself.

A Solo 401k may offer more flexibility than an SDIRA. To qualify, your business must have no full-time W-2 employees working more than 1,000 hours per year. 

Can You Have Both a Self-Directed IRA and a Regular IRA?

Yes, you can have both a regular IRA (Traditional or Roth) and a Self-Directed IRA. Your regular IRA can hold traditional investments like stocks and bonds while your SDIRA can hold alternative assets.

Keep in mind that contribution limits apply across all IRAs, so your total contributions must stay within the IRS annual limit.

How Much Can I Contribute to a SDIRA?

In 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000 to a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) if you’re under 50 years of age, and up to $8,000 if you’re 50 years old and above. 

If you have multiple IRAs, contribution limits are combined across all your accounts. However, the total contributions to all of your Traditional and Roth IRAs cannot exceed the annual IRA contribution limit.

What’s the Difference Between a Self-Directed Traditional IRA and a Self-Directed Roth IRA?

Both types of self-directed IRAs offer tax advantages, but they differ in how and when you pay taxes. 

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide which one fits your financial goals:

✅ Self-Directed Traditional IRA:

✅ Self-Directed Roth IRA:

📌 Also read: Roth IRA Vs Traditional IRA: Key Differences & Similarities

Final Thoughts

A self-directed IRA gives you more control and flexibility over your retirement savings by opening the door to a wider range of non-traditional investment options. Whether you choose a Traditional or Roth SDIRA, the right choice depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and tax strategy.

Take a more active role in your retirement planning by exploring your options and setting up an account that works for you.

Disclaimer

The Carry Learning Center is operated by The Vibes Company Inc. (“Vibes”) and contains generalized educational content about personal finance topics. While Vibes provides educational content and technology services, all investment advisory services discussed on this website are provided exclusively through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carry Advisors LLC (“Carry Advisors”), an SEC registered investment adviser. The information contained on the Carry Learning Center should not be construed as personalized investment advice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or engage in a particular investment, accounting, tax or legal strategy. Vibes is not providing tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice. You should consult with qualified tax, legal, accounting, and investment professionals regarding your specific situation.

The accounts, strategies and/or investments discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. All investments involve the risk of loss, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment growth or profit is never a guarantee. All statements and opinions included on the Carry Learning Center are intended to be current as of the date of publication but are subject to change without notice.

To access investment advisory services through Carry Advisors, you must be a client of Vibes on an eligible membership plan. For more information about Carry Advisors’ investment advisory services, please see our Form ADV Part 2A brochure and Form CRS or through the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.