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Last Updated On: February 20th, 2024
If you’re a collector or investor in sports cards, you know that grading can have a huge impact on the value of a card. But with so many card grading companies out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive list of 25 card grading companies, complete with links to their respective websites, pricing information, what types of cards they grade (e.g. sports cards like baseball, or basketball, Pokémon, other trading cards, etc.), company information including what year they were founded and what country they’re located, and even the distinct design of each company’s slab.
Whether you’re looking for a company that specializes in vintage cards or modern cards, or you’re on a tight budget, our comprehensive list has got you covered. So take a look and find the card grading company that’s right for you!
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a Card Grading Company
When it comes to grading trading cards, not all card grading services are created equal.
A company’s reputation arguably tops the list when choosing a grader, but speed, consistency, pricing, and customer service all tie into the decision making process.
Let’s discuss all the key factors to consider when choosing a grading card company.
Reputation
The reputation of a grading card company is important, as it can impact the perceived value of the graded card. Look for companies with a solid track record of accuracy and consistency in their grading standards, as well as a reputation for professionalism and reliability. For example, PSA, SGC, CGC, and BGS are usually considered quality grading companies with decent reputations (although we’re weary of the latter). Be sure to research a card grading company online to understand how they fair in customer reviews, grading consistency, the Better Business Bureau, or a similar review site.
While the BBB score (‘F’ in the example above) is important, it’s equally important to understand how responsive businesses are with customer complaints, and whether they have many unresolved cases which may indicate a lack of care or follow-through.
Turnaround Time
The turnaround time of a card grading company refers to the time it takes for them to grade and return your cards. This can vary widely depending on the company and the level of service you choose, so be sure to factor this into your decision-making process.
Several card grading companies offer expedited services at a higher price, which can be helpful if you need your cards back quickly. The table of card grading companies included below displays pricing “starting at” a given price if a particular company offers several priority or value-based tiers. If you don’t meet the criteria to quality for the best rate via bulk pricing, you can consider a group submission service to submit cards on your behalf.
Grading Standards
The grading standards used by card grading companies can also vary, and it’s important to choose a company that aligns with your expectations. Some may be more stringent in their grading, while others may be more lenient. Does the service guarantee its grades, or at the very least provide clear and transparent grading standards and guidelines? If you’re not sure, consider reaching out to them directly if you have questions or concerns. How they respond can make a world of difference between moving forward or running in the other direction.
The following grading standards published by PSA are a great example of transparency: https://www.psacard.com/resources/gradingstandards
Lastly, it’s important to consider how well the card being graded sells in the marketplace whether it’s in a PSA 9 MINT slab or a BGS 9 MINT slab.
Pricing
Pricing is also an important consideration when choosing between card grading companies. So how much does it cost to get a card graded? Anywhere from $8 up to almost $40 for regular service levels (not super fast, and not very expensive cards). As such, grading fees can vary widely depending on the company and the level of service you choose. Do a little price shopping to compare multiple companies. Keep in mind that cheaper grading services may not always be the best option, and it may be worth paying more for a reputable and reliable card grading company.
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Customer Service
Finally, consider the customer service provided by a card grading company. Look for companies that are responsive and helpful in answering your questions and addressing any concerns you may have. A company that provides good customer service can make the grading process smoother and less stressful, especially in the event something goes wrong.
Card Grading Companies Full List
In the grading companies table below, ‘sports cards’ refers to at least the four primary sports: NBA basketball; MLB baseball; NFL football; NHL hockey
For ‘trading cards’, this may include non-sports cards such as sports entertainment (e.g. WWE), pop culture, political figures, even TCG, or other types of non-sports cards. Please visit the website of any prospective grading company you intend to use to learn more about their services.
Also, the pricing indicated for each grader is the starting point, which may require a minimum number of cards to be graded, and/or a maximum card value. For example, PSA’s pricing is complex, and has many requirements to qualify at the cheapest rate; including a club membership (annual fee), minimum of 20+ cards, and a maximum value of $200 per card just to qualify at $15 TCG rate, or $19 non-TCG rate. Otherwise, it’s $24.99 per card (max. value $500 or less). Lastly, shipping to and from a grading provider is not included in the pricing table below.
Summary Table
Grading Company Name | Best For | Year Started, Primary Location | Pricing | |
| 1 | PSA – Professional Sports Authenticator | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, wax packs, Funko Pop!, Tickets, Photos, Memorabilia | 1999, USA | Starts $15 TCG, $19 non-TCG Pricing page |
| 2 | SGC – Sportscard Guaranty Corporation | Pokémon, sports cards, trading cards | 1998, USA | Starts $9 TCG, $15 non-TCG Pricing page |
| 3 | CGC – Certified Guaranty Company | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, MMA | 1987 CCG parent, 2000 CGC brand, USA | Starts $12/card Pricing page |
| 4 | BGS – Beckett Grading Services | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokêmon, Magic: The Gathering, comics, tickets, vintage via BVG brand | 1999, USA | Starts $15/card Pricing page |
| 5 | HGA – Hybrid Grading Approach | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, custom slabs | 2021, USA | Starts $14/card Pricing page |
| 6 | KSA Certification | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, other gaming, coin | 1996, Canada | Starts $12/card Pricing page |
| 7 | ISA – International Sports Authentication | Sports cards, trading cards | 2010, USA | Starts $12/card Pricing page |
| 8 | TAG – Technical Authentication & Grading | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2022, USA | Starts $12/card Pricing page |
| 9 | GMG – Gem Mint Grading | Sports cards, trading cards | 2021, USA | Starts $15/card Pricing page |
| 10 | GMG – Gem Mint Graded | Low-end sports cards, Pokémon card (up to $99 value) | 2021, USA | $8/card |
| 11 | GMA Grading & Authentication | Sports cards, trading cards | 2003, USA | Starts $8/card Pricing page |
| 12 | AGS – Automated Grading Systems | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokêmon, Magic: The Gathering, YU-GI-OH! | 2021, USA | Starts $13/card Pricing page |
| 13 | WCG – World Class Grading | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2001 USA | Starts $9/card Pricing page |
| 14 | MGS – Majesty Grading Company | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2021, UK | Starts £9/card Pricing page |
| 15 | DSG – Diamond Service Grading | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2001, USA | Starts $12/card Pricing page |
| 16 | PGS – Platin Grading Service | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, Dragonball, Fortnite | 2021, Germany | Starts 16€/card Pricing page |
| 17 | RCG – Revolution Card Grading | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2021, USA | Starts $20/card Pricing page |
| 18 | TGA – The Grading Authority | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2021, USA | Starts $17/card Pricing page |
| 19 | MNT Grading | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2016, Canada | Starts $18 CAD/card Pricing page |
| 20 | PGI – Pristine Grading International | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon (max $100 value, 1980 or later, no patch cards) | 2002, USA | $15/card, Min. 25+ cards Pricing page |
| 21 | FCG – Forensic Card Grading | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2021, USA | $14/card |
| 22 | Ace Grading | Pokémon, Sidemen | 2021, UK | Starts £10.00/card Pricing page |
| 23 | DCI Grading – Dallas Card Investors | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2020, USA | Starts $20/card Pricing page |
| 24 | Arena Club | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2022, USA | Starts $10/card Pricing page |
| 25 | Rare Edition | Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon | 2021, USA | Starts $49/card Pricing page |
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PSA – Professional Sports Authenticator
Primary Location: USA
What year was PSA established? 1999
What types of cards are accepted by PSA? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, wax packs, Funko Pop!, Tickets, Photos, Memorabilia
Does PSA offer a grade warranty? Yes
SGC – Sportscard Guaranty Corporation
Primary Location: USA
What year was SGC established? 1998
What types of cards are accepted by SGC? Pokémon, sports cards, trading cards
Does SGC offer a grade warranty? No
BGS – Beckett Grading Services
Primary Location: USA
What year was BGS established? 1999
What types of cards are accepted by BGS? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokêmon, Magic: The Gathering, comics, tickets, vintage via BVG brand
Does BGS offer a grade warranty? No
BVG – Beckett Vintage Grading
BVG is under the umbrella of Beckett Grading Services but for vintage cards dated pre-1981 (so 1980 and earlier). The slabs distinctly display the BVG monicker as opposed to BGS.
BCCG – Beckett Collector Club Grading
BCCG is also under the umbrella of Beckett Grading Services, although it was shutdown in recent years. BCCG slabs are labeled with the BCCG acronym as opposed to BGS.
CGC – Certified Guaranty Company
Primary Location: USA
What year was CGC established? 2000 (CCG parent company founded in 1987)
What types of cards are accepted by CGC? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, MMA
Does CGC offer a grade warranty? Yes
Note: The CSG brand (Certified Sports Guaranty, founded in 2021) has merged all card grading services under the CGC brand as of June, 2023. Former CSG slabs like the one below will be replaced with new CGC slabs when reholdered.
HGA
Primary Location: USA
What year was HGA established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by HGA? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, custom slabs
Does HGA offer a grade warranty? No
KSA Certification
Primary Location: Canada
What year was KSA Certification established? 1996
What types of cards are accepted by KSA Certification? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, other gaming, coin
Does KSA offer a grade warranty? No
ISA – International Sports Authentication
Primary Location: USA
What year was ISA established? 2010
What types of cards are accepted by ISA? Sports cards, trading cards
Does ISA offer a grade warranty? No
TAG – Technical Authentication & Grading
Primary Location: USA
What year was TAG established? 2022
What types of cards are accepted by TAG? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
Does TAG offer a grade warranty? Yes
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GMG – Gem Mint Grading
Primary Location: USA
What year was Gem Mint Grading established? 2021
Pricing: Starting at $15/card
What types of cards are accepted by Gem Mint Grading? Sports cards, trading cards
GMG – Gem Mint Graded
Primary Location: USA
What year was Gem Mint Graded established? 2021
Pricing: $8/card
What types of cards are accepted by Gem Mint Graded? Low-end sports cards, Pokémon card (up to $99 value)
GMA Grading & Authentication
Primary Location: USA
What year was GMA Grading & Authentication established? 2003
What types of cards are accepted by GMA Grading & Authentication? Sports cards, trading cards
AGS – Automated Grading Systems
Primary Location: USA
What year was AGS established? 2021
Pricing (also via Robograding brand)
What types of cards are accepted by AGS? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokêmon, Magic: The Gathering, YU-GI-OH!
WCG – World Class Grading
Primary Location: USA
What year was WCG established? 2001
What types of cards are accepted by WCG? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
MGS – Majesty Grading Company
Primary Location: UK
What year was MGS established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by MGS? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
DSG – Diamond Service Grading
Primary Location: USA
What year was DSG established? 2001
What types of cards are accepted by DSG? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
PGS – Platin Grading Service
Primary Location: Germany
What year was PGS established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by PGS? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon, Dragonball, Fortnite
RCG – Revolution Card Grading
Primary Location: USA
What year was RCG established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by RCG? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
Does RCG offer a grade warranty? No
TGA – The Grading Authority
Primary Location: USA
What year was TGA established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by TGA? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
MNT Grading
Primary location: Canada
What year was MNT Grading established? 2016
What types of cards are accepted by MNT Grading? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
PGI – Pristine Grading International
Primary Location: USA
What year was PGI Established? 2002
What types of cards are accepted by PGI? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon (max $100 value, 1980 or later, no patch cards, 25+ card minimum required)
FCG – Forensic Card Grading
Primary Location: USA
What year was FCG established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by FCG? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
Ace Grading
Primary Location: UK
What year was Ace Grading established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by Ace Grading? Pokémon, Sidemen
DCI Grading – Dallas Card Investors
Primary Location: USA
What year was DCI Grading established? 2020
What types of cards are accepted by DCI Grading? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
Arena Club
Primary Location: USA
What year was Arena Club established? 2022
What types of cards are accepted by Arena Club? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
Does Arena Club offer a grade warranty? Yes
Rare Edition
Primary Location: USA
What year was Rare Edition established? 2021
What types of cards are accepted by Rare Edition? Sports cards, trading cards, Pokémon
Does Rare Edition offer a grade warranty? No
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Card Grading Companies no Longer Doing Business
The number of card grading services has exploded since the pandemic caused a huge spike in demand for grading sports cards. That said, many companies are now defunct. The folks at All Vintage Cards have compiled the Sports Card Grading Graveyard to keep a comprehensive tally of failed card grading companies. Be sure to check it out particularly before buying cards already slabbed by these companies to review the “Slab Trustworthiness Score ©” assigned to each defunct grading company.
Conclusion
The goal of this post is to provide a comprehensive view of card grading companies for collectors to make informed decisions when choosing a company to trust with their cards. Judging by grading volumes alone, the top four companies in this list (PSA, SGC, CGC, BGS) make up almost the entire market share of graded cards. And PSA is significantly ahead by volume in the #1 position (it’s not even close).
Keep in mind, even if you choose among the top card grading services, at times you’ll encounter problems caused by technology and human error, slow customer service response times, and outright inconsistency in grade scores.
If you have a grading story to share, we’d love to hear about it! Also, if you notice any incorrect information please comment below (or privately from the menu link) as we strive to keep the post as fresh as possible for readers.