Trading Card Grading Services: A Comparison Guide
Editor’s note: Last updated 3/22/2023. We have removed Elite Card Grading after multiple customer issues and the company appears to have ceased operations. The information and rates included here are only meant to be a general guide to the trading card grading service companies and their rates. Please consult and research each grader for the latest rates, availability, and turnaround times. We do not endorse any service listed, so please research customer reviews for each company. If there are errors or changes that should be made to the information listed, comment below.
The explosion of interest in sports cards and gaming cards like Pokémon has given rise to the need for card grading companies, to better assess condition and value for sale on the secondary market. For years, grading trading cards was dominated by two companies: PSA and Beckett.
However, the demand for their services overwhelmed those two companies, and by early 2021, both PSA and Beckett had stopped accepting submissions for grading in most situations. That opened the door for other grading companies who had a smaller but loyal following, including SGC and CSG.
Over the past year, several more grading companies have entered the market, some offering notable innovations that separate them from the “big boys.”
Following is a breakdown of some of the major grading companies, including a comparison of their rates and services.
PSA – PSACard.com
Online Population Report: Yes
PSA is the largest and most popular grading service in the hobby. PSA graded cards generally sell for higher prices at auction, making it the popular choice among investors looking for the best return on high-end cards. However, other grading companies have been closing the premium gap PSA cards enjoy, especially after the company suspended some services and raised rates due to the pandemic and high volume. PSA also charges rates based on the value of the card, something many collectors dislike. Paid membership in their Collector’s Club is required to access some grading services and pricing. Click here to visit their website, PSACard.com.
Beckett – Beckett.com
Online Population Report: Yes
Beckett runs a close second to PSA as one of the most popular graders in the industry. The Beckett Price Guide as been a collector’s friend for decades, a service that continues i print and online across all sport and non-sport cards. Beckett slabs offer a traditional, almost classic look, including the use of a stunning “black label” in card slabs that achieve a perfect 10 rating across all sub-grades. Beckett’s use of “half-point” grading (offering grades of 8.5, 9. 9.5, etc.) offer more precise scores, a nice alternative to PSA’s single number grades. Click here to visit their website, Beckett.com.
CSG – CSGCards.com
Certified Sports Guaranty, or CSG, is the sports card grading arm of the Certified Collectibles Group, whose other companies grade items like comic books, coins, and stamps. Slab labels are simple yet distinctive, featuring four subgrades and an easy-to-read main grade. CSG yearly memberships, required for making direct submissions to the company, range in price from $25 to $299, with a number of incentives and additional services available to members. Click here to visit their website, CSGCards.com.
Forensic Card Grading (FCG) – FCGGrading.com
Est: 2021. Online Population Report: Yes
Located in Southlake, TX (northwest of Dallas), FCG has become a popular option by offering strict grading standards (with subgrades on each slab), sleek-looking labels, and a QR code on the back that connects to an online grading note sheet that details how every subgrade was determined, a nice detail that even the more expensive services do not offer. They also offer a price and turnaround time unparalleled in the industry: $14 a card, regardless of the value, and a turnaround time of ten business days or less. Reviews from collectors have been strong. Click here to visit their website, FCGGrading.com.
Gem Mint Grading – GemMintGrading.com
Online Population Report: No
Gem Mint Grading is another new entry to card grading. Offering bold, colorful graphics on their labels, Gem Mint slabs are aesthetically pleasing, and customized labels can be ordered and personalized with the collector’s name. The company is in the early stages of an online population listing that is essential for collectors and investors. Click here to visit their website, GemMintGrading.com.
GMA – GMAGrading.com
GMA Grading is popular for its low rates, high-quality slabs, and easy-to-read labels. They have been in business for over 20 years, and have built up quite a following. In August of 2021 they changed to an all-black label (a welcome upgrade for collectors), as well as subgrades, printed on the back. Click here to visit their website, GMAGrading.com.
Hybrid Grading Approach – HybridGrading.com
Online Population Report: Yes
Hybrid Grading Approach, or HGA, is a fairly new company, but has gained popularity with collectors its color-coordinated slab labels. That, and some reasonable rates on their grading services, has made them very popular in a short time. They offer subgrades on every label and use specialized software to scan, analyze, and grade cards. They have also introduced horizontal slabs and recently reached an agreement to have their slabbed cards sold through Pristine Auction. Click here to visit their website, HybridGrading.com.
Pure Graded X – PureGradedX.com
Online Population Report: Yes
Pure Graded X also began grading cards this year, offering sharp-looking refractor labels that offer both customization and personalization. They even offer labels that orient to horizontal cards. Subgrades are included with each card. Rates are affordable and turnaround is short. Click here to visit their website, PureGradedX.com.
RCG (Revolution Card Grading) – RevolutionGrading.com
Est: 2021. Online Population Report: Yes
Revolution Card Grading, or RCG, began accepting submissions in April of 2021. Their slabs offer some fantastic features, including a grading label printed directly onto the slab, making it far harder to tamper with. Some slabs will also feature an upgraded, limited “chase” label: refractor and prism labels will be randomly placed on slabs. Click here to visit their website, RevolutionGrading.com.
SGC – GoSGC.com
Est: 1998. Online Population Report: Yes
SGC has a solid and loyal customer base, thanks in large part to their reputation for strict but fair grading standards. That has made them the preferred grader for many slabbing vintage cards, although modern cards are popular as well. They are no newcomer to the industry; they have been authenticating and grading cards since the 1990s. SGC is known for their distinctive and elegant black slabs, which some collectors refer to as the “Tuxedo” look. Their slab labels are simple but bold, with black lettering on a white label. Their rates are based on the declared value of the card, as well as the turnaround time. Click here to visit their website, GoSGC.com.
Card Grading Submission Rates
For this comparison, we list the three cheapest, non-bulk grading options for each company. We list the cheapest option for each company as “Level 1 Economy,” with the more expensive services following. Some of these companies offer an even faster service beyond the three levels, which we will detail below the table.
Turnaround days are business days, unless noted. Rates are based on standard cards. Oversized or thicker cards may require higher rates.
| Grader | Level 1 (Economy) | Level 2 (Standard) | Level 3 (Express) | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | $50 ($999 max value) | $100 ($1499 max value) | $150 ($2499 max value) | Y |
| Beckett | $35 $25 (without subgrades) | $50 $40 (without subgrades) | $150 $100 (without subgrades) | N |
| CSG | $25 ($500 max value, 10 days) | $35 ($1000 max value, 7 days) | $70 ($10,000 max value, 3 days) | Y |
| FCG | $14 (10 days) | N | ||
| Gem Mint | $15 (75 days) | $20 (30 days) | $35 (10 days) | N |
| GMA | $10 (45 days, 20 card min.) | $15 (25 days, 10 card min.) | $20 (15 days, 5 card minimum) | N |
| HGA | $25 (60 days) | $40 (30 days) | $55 (10 days) | N |
| Pure Graded X | $10 (30 days) | $14 (14 days) | $50 (3 days) | N |
| RCG | $18 (60 days) | $23 (30 days) | $27 (20 days) | N |
| SGC | $30 (Value <$1500, 20-25 days) | $85 (Value <$3500, 20-25 days) | $125 (Value <$3500, 1-2 days) | N |
Additional Services / Rates
PSA offers a Collector’s Club membership (at $99 a year) that offers a discount cheaper than Economy service and access to special pricing events. Their SUPER EXPRESS service for $300 a card ($4999 max value), and a WALK THROUGH service for $600 ($9999 max value). Cards with a higher value can be graded, with service fees running into the thousands of dollars.
Beckett offers a premium service for $250 a card ($150 without subgrades), with cards returned in 2-7 days. They also offer vintage grading services for pre-1981 cards. Service rates include sub-grades for specific criteria, but collectors can choose not to have those sub-grades included on the slab for a slightly lower fee. They also offer a “Raw Card Review” at on-site events, allowing collectors to find what a card will grade for without submitting or being slabbed.
CSG also offers a bulk grading option for lots of 50 cards or more for $12 each; cards cannot be valued at more than $250.
Gem Mint Grading also designs custom-made labels that can be used exclusively on a collector’s submissions.
GMA requires a minimum card order for each service level> They also offers bulk grading services or lots of 100 cards or more. Rates are $8 per card for Economy service, $12 a card for standard service, and $18 for Express service.
HGA also offers a two-day service for $80 a card. Bulk discounts are available on some services. HGA also slabs cards for personal collections, with no authentication or grading, for $15 a card.
Pure Graded X allows you to purchase our grading service, and will then email you a submission form to include the specifics of our cards. Custom-designed labels are an additional $5 per card. Bulk submissions (at a discounted rate) are also available.
RCG offers two faster services than those listed above: $32 for a 10-day turnaround, and $48 for a 3-5 day turnaround. Bulk discount on submissions of 10 cards or more on some services. They also offer slightly cheaper rates for graded cards without subgrades on the label.
SGC offers turnaround times of 1-2 business days for $250 with a card’s declared value of <$7500, $500 for a declared value of <$20,000, $1000 for a declared value of <$50,000, $2000 for a declared value of $100,000, and $3750 for a declared value of >$100,000.
Grading Standards
Gem Mint Grading posted this guide to their grading standards and scores on their website. While their standards may differ from other graders, we found this particular one a nice starting point and a great reference for collectors looking to have their first card graded.
10 Flawless
A “virtually flawless” card. 50/50 centering, crisp focus, four sharp corners, free of stains, no breaks in surface gloss, no print or refractor lines, and no visible wear under magnification.
GEM-MINT 10
55/45 or better centering, sharp focus, four sharp corners, free of stains, no breaks in surface gloss, no print or refractor lines, and no visible wear. A slight print spot visible under close scrutiny is allowable if it does not detract from the aesthetics of the card.
MINT+ 9.5
Is a card that at first glance appears to be Gem Mint 10 upon close inspection it may have a tiny flaw(s) that keeps it from grading GEM-MT 10.
MINT 9
A Mint 9 card’s attributes include 60/40 or better centering, sharp focus, and sharp corners. Minor flaws may exist upon close examination. Minor flaws may be, but is not limited to: a slight nick to one corner, a small gloss break or surface scratch, a minor print line or minor refractor line, a minor focus or color imperfection, or a small print spot.
NM-MT+ 8.5
A Near Mint/ Mint+ is a card with 65/35 or better centering and sharp corners. A few minor flaws may exist upon close examination. A minor flaw may be, but is not limited to: a slight nick to one corner, a small gloss break or surface scratch, a minor print line or minor refractor line, a minor focus or color imperfection, or a small print spot.
NM-MT 8
A Near Mint/ Mint 8 is a card with 70/30 or better centering, corners sharp to the naked eye, but may exhibit slight wear under closer examination. A few small flaws may exist upon close examination. A small flaw may be but is not limited to: minor wear on one corner, a gloss break or surface scratch, a print line or refractor line, a focus or color imperfection, or a print spot.
NM+ 7.5
This is a card with 70/30 or better centering, a few small flaws may exist upon close examination. A small flaw may be but is not limited to: minor wear on one corner, a gloss break or surface scratch, a print line or refractor line, a focus or color imperfection, or a print spot.
NM 7
A Near Mint 7 card’s attributes include 70/30 or better centering, slight wear on some corners, minor scratching, some print spots or speckling, and print lines or refractor lines are acceptable. The card may exhibit a slightly skewed (diamond) cut.
EX-NM+ 6.5
This is a card with 75/25 or better centering, slight wear on some corner, minor scratching, some print spots or speckling, and print lines or refractor lines are acceptable. The card may exhibit a slightly skewed (diamond) cut.
EX/NM 6
An Excellent/ Near Mint is a card with 75/25 or better centering, slight fuzzing of corners may be evident, a skewed cut may be more evident, focus or register may be off, and slight notching of edges may exist.
EX+ 5.5
An EX 5 card with higher grade centering or corners.
EX 5
An Excellent card is a card with 80/20 or better centering, minor rounding or fuzzing of corners, roughness or chipping along an edge (no layering), one VERY slight surface or “spider” crease may exist on one side of the card, gloss may be lost from the surface with some scratching that does not detract from the aesthetics of the card.
VG-EX+ 4.5
A VG-EX 4 with higher grade centering or corners.
VG/EX 4
A Very Good/ Excellent card is a card with 85/15 or better centering, corners are slightly rounded with modest surface wear. A light hairline crease may show on one or both sides. A light tear or surface break may exist.
VG+ 3.5
A VG 3 with higher grade centering or corners.
VG 3
A Very Good card is a card with 90/10 or better centering, corners more rounded–but not excessive, stronger creasing may exist. Poorer focus, registration, and discoloration, and staining are more noticeable.
GOOD+ 2.5
A Good 2 with higher grade centering or corners.
GOOD 2
A Good card is a card centered 90/10 or better. This card usually exhibits one or more of these characteristics: heavy print spots, heavy crease(s), pinhole(s), color or focus imperfections or discoloration, surface scuffing or tear, rounded and/or fraying corners, ink or pencil marking(s), and lack of all or some original gloss.
FAIR+ 1.5
A Fair card is a card centered 90/10 or better. This card usually exhibits several of these characteristics: heavy print spots, heavy crease(s), pinhole(s), color or focus imperfections or discoloration, surface scuffing or tears, rounded and/or fraying corners, ink or pencil marking(s), and lack of all or some original gloss, a small portion of the card may be missing.
FAIR 1
This is a card that usually exhibits many of these characteristics: heavy print spots, heavy crease(s), pinhole(s), color or focus imperfections or discoloration, surface scuffing or tears, rounded and/or fraying corners, ink or pencil marking(s), and lack of all or some original gloss, small portions of the card may be missing.
Authentic
This grade is given if a card has been altered or has a foreign substance on the card. Examples: ( Trimmed, Colored, Pen or Pencil marks, Writing, Glue or foreign substance, Pin Hole, etc…)
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I wouldn’t even considered elite card grading to be in the conversation for being a legit grading company. The owner sells his self-graded cards on ebay under texascardhouse which they admitted to it on their facebook page before deleting the post. Only thing that I like about them are their live streams because it’s hilarious how ignorant these the two brothers can be when it comes to the hobby.
Thanks for the comment Josh. As we stated in the article, we recommend everyone research a grading service before using them. We have heard of Elite’s practice of selling on eBay, but considering the volume of cards they grade and testimonials from collectors happy with their service, we are including them. Even PSA has been criticized for their questionable business practices at times, but we are leaving that decision to the collector. We would hope they would view the ECG videos you mentioned and do their research prior to using their services.
I wouldn’t even considered elite card grading to be in the conversation for being a legit grading company. The owner sells his self-graded cards on ebay under texascardhouse which they admitted to it on their facebook page before deleting the post. Only thing that I like about them are their live streams because it’s hilarious how ignorant these the two brothers can be when it comes to the hobby.
Welp Elite Card Grading stopped communications to their customers for months while still taking submissions and payment. Last week a local customer had to get the police involved since he was getting the runaround and found out the owner is filing for bankruptcy. The risks to send off your cards to these new companies are not worth it.
Thank you for your comment. It appears their website is closed and after some checking it looks like you are correct about their questionable practices. The guide is due for an update and we’ll remove them from the list.