Best Card Grading Companies 2026: PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC
Comparisons
Best Card Grading Companies in 2026: PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC
Compare PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, and TAG side by side — prices ($15–$250+), turnaround (5 days to 12+ weeks), gem rates (21%–53%), and which cards each company grades best.
Jamie Budesky·Founder, CardGrade·Published Sep 1, 2025 · Updated Jun 5, 2026·10 min read
In short: The four major graders differ on what matters most: PSA has the deepest resale market, BGS owns subgrades and the Black Label, CGC competes on value and speed, and SGC specializes in vintage. The company you choose can even change the grade you get. For a head-to-head on the big three, see PSA vs BGS vs CGC.
Why Choosing the Right Card Grading Company Matters
Selecting the right card grading company is one of the most impactful decisions a collector can make. The company you choose affects your card's resale value, the audience of potential buyers, and even how your card is evaluated. Different grading companies use different standards, attract different collectors, and command different premiums in the marketplace.
There are four major card grading companies that dominate the industry in 2026: PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), CGC, and SGC. Each has its strengths, and the best choice depends on what you collect, why you are grading, and what matters most to you.
Quick Comparison: PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC
Before diving into each company, here is a high-level comparison:
Feature
PSA
BGS
CGC
SGC
Founded
1991
1999
2020 (cards)
1998
Grading Scale
1-10 (whole numbers)
1-10 (half-point subgrades)
1-10 (half-point)
1-10 (whole numbers)
Subgrades
No
Yes (4 categories)
Yes (optional)
No
Best For
Resale value, sports
Detail-oriented collectors
Pokemon, TCG
Vintage sports
Starting Price
~$20/card
~$20/card
~$15/card
~$15/card
Turnaround
30-90 days (varies)
30-120 days (varies)
30-80 days
20-60 days
Market Premium
Highest
High (Black Label)
Growing
Moderate
Slab Design
Clean, classic
Detailed with subgrades
Modern, clean
Tuxedo (premium)
The Company You Choose Changes the Grade You Get
According to our State of Card Grading 2026 study, which analyzed 32,000+ cards, the same card can receive up to a significant grade-point spread depending on which company grades it. PSA, BGS, and CGC each apply different standards and tolerances -- particularly around centering, which the study identified as the #1 grade-limiting bottleneck. This means the "best" company for a given card is not always the most popular one; it is the one whose standards align most favorably with that card's specific strengths and weaknesses. A card with slightly off centering may earn a higher grade at PSA (which allows 60/40 for a Gem Mint 10) than at BGS or CGC (which require 55/45 or better for top marks). Pre-screening with tools that predict grades across all three companies helps you route each card to where it will score best.
PSA: The Industry Standard
Overview
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is the largest and most recognized card grading company in the world. With over 50 million cards graded, PSA slabs are the default currency of the graded card market.
Grading Approach
PSA uses a whole-number scale from 1 to 10. They do not provide subgrades, which means you get a single overall grade. This simplicity is part of their appeal: a PSA 10 is a PSA 10, and the market knows exactly what that means.
Pros
Highest resale premiums: PSA 10s consistently command the highest prices across most card categories
Largest market share: More buyers search for and trust PSA slabs than any other company
Extensive population data: Their population reports help you understand rarity
Universal recognition: Accepted and valued worldwide
Fast-selling slabs: PSA cards tend to sell faster due to buyer familiarity
Cons
No subgrades: You do not get detailed breakdowns of centering, corners, edges, and surface
Perceived inconsistency: Some collectors report grade variations on resubmissions
Higher pricing at peak times: PSA has raised prices during high-demand periods
Longer turnaround: Value-tier submissions can take months
Best For
PSA is the best card grading company for collectors who prioritize resale value and liquidity. If you plan to sell your graded cards, PSA is usually the safest bet for maximizing return.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services): The Collector's Choice
Overview
Beckett Grading Services brings a more granular approach to grading with their subgrade system. Each card receives four subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surface, plus an overall grade.
Grading Approach
BGS uses half-point increments (9, 9.5, 10) and provides four visible subgrades on the label. Their highest designation, the Black Label Pristine 10, requires a perfect 10 in all four subgrades. This is exceptionally rare and commands massive premiums.
Subgrade Breakdown
Subgrade
What It Measures
Centering
Image placement within borders
Corners
Sharpness and integrity of all four corners
Edges
Clean cuts, no chipping or whitening
Surface
Free from scratches, print defects, staining
Pros
Detailed subgrades: Know exactly where your card excels and falls short
Black Label premium: A BGS Black Label 10 can be worth more than a PSA 10
Half-point precision: A BGS 9.5 communicates more information than a PSA 9
Strong reputation: Respected and recognized across the hobby
Cons
Lower general liquidity: PSA cards sell faster in most categories
Confusing label system: New collectors may not understand subgrades immediately
Longer turnaround times: BGS can be slower than competitors
Higher bar for a 10: Getting a BGS 10 (Pristine) is harder than a PSA 10
Best For
BGS is ideal for collectors who value detailed feedback on card condition and are targeting the collector market rather than the quick-flip market. The subgrade system also makes BGS popular with collectors who want to understand exactly why a card received its grade.
CGC: The Rising Competitor
Overview
CGC Cards entered the card grading market in 2020, leveraging the reputation of CGC's comic book grading division. In a few short years, they have become a serious player, particularly in the Pokemon and trading card game space.
Grading Approach
CGC uses half-point increments and offers optional subgrades (for an additional fee). Their grading standards are generally considered strict but consistent, which has built trust quickly among collectors.
Pros
Strict, consistent grading: CGC has earned a reputation for consistency
Growing market acceptance: Especially strong in TCG and Pokemon markets
Competitive pricing: Often cheaper than PSA and BGS
Modern slab design: Clean, attractive holders that display well
Optional subgrades: Choose whether you want the extra detail
Cons
Newer to cards: Less established than PSA or BGS in sports cards
Lower resale premium for sports: PSA and BGS still command higher premiums for sports cards
Smaller population database: Less historical data than PSA
Growing pains: As a newer service, processes and turnaround times are still evolving
Best For
CGC is an excellent choice for Pokemon card grading, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering, and other TCG cards. Their growing reputation and competitive pricing make them attractive for collectors who do not need the PSA premium.
SGC: The Vintage Specialist
Overview
Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC) has carved out a niche as the go-to grading company for vintage sports cards. Their expertise in pre-1980s cards is widely respected.
Grading Approach
SGC uses whole numbers from 1 to 10 with no subgrades, similar to PSA's approach. They are known for straightforward, consistent grading with a particular emphasis on vintage card characteristics.
Pros
Vintage expertise: Widely considered the best grader of vintage cards
Competitive pricing: Generally cheaper than PSA
Faster turnaround: Typically the quickest of the four major companies
Attractive slab design: Their "Tuxedo" slab is popular for its aesthetic
Consistent grading: Respected for reliability
Cons
Lower premiums for modern cards: SGC slabs typically sell for less than PSA on modern cards
Limited non-sports appeal: Less relevant for Pokemon and TCG markets
Less brand recognition: Not as widely known outside dedicated collecting circles
Best For
SGC is the top choice for vintage sports card grading companies collectors. If you are grading cards from the 1950s through 1980s, SGC's expertise and competitive pricing make them a strong option.
Which Company Should You Choose?
The answer depends on what you collect and your goals:
By Card Type
Card Type
Recommended Company
Reason
Modern sports cards
PSA
Highest resale value
Vintage sports cards
SGC or PSA
SGC for expertise, PSA for value
Pokemon cards
PSA or CGC
PSA for value, CGC for consistency
Yu-Gi-Oh / MTG
CGC
Strong TCG reputation
High-end singles
BGS
Black Label potential
Budget grading
CGC or SGC
Lower per-card costs
By Goal
Maximize resale value: PSA for most cards
Detailed condition assessment: BGS with subgrades
Fastest turnaround: SGC
Best price-to-value ratio: CGC or SGC
Vintage authentication: SGC
Pre-Screen Your Cards Before Choosing a Company
Before spending money on any grading service, the smartest step is to pre-screen your cards to understand their condition. This helps you:
Decide if a card is worth grading at all
Choose the right company based on the predicted grade
Avoid wasting money on cards that will not grade well
CardGrade.io uses CGI Vision AI to analyze your cards across 47 inspection points in 29 seconds. With 92.8% accuracy, CardGrade.io predicts grades from PSA, BGS, and CGC, giving you the information you need to make the right choice.
Here is how to use pre-screening strategically:
If CardGrade.io predicts a strong grade, send to PSA for maximum value
If centering is slightly off but everything else is perfect, consider BGS where subgrades tell a more complete story
If the predicted grade is below 8, consider whether grading is worth the cost for that particular card
CardGrade.io offers 3 trial credits with a free 3-day trial, cancel anytime. Try it before your next submission to any grading company.
Making Your Decision: Our Recommendation
For most collectors in 2026, here is our straightforward advice:
Default to PSA for anything you plan to sell. Their market dominance translates directly to higher sale prices
Choose BGS when you want detailed condition data or are chasing Black Label perfection
Go with CGC for TCG cards, especially Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic, or when you want competitive pricing
Pick SGC for vintage sports cards where their expertise shines
No matter which company you choose, pre-screen first. Use CardGrade.io's AI grading tool to predict your grades, check your centering, and make sure every card you submit is worth the investment.
Try CardGrade.io with our free 3-day trial and start grading smarter today.
Jamie Budesky is the founder of CardGrade and the engineer behind its AI vision grading pipeline. An Army veteran and IT specialist (DoD, since 2017), he writes about card grading, AI/ML grading technology, and collecting strategy — grounded in CardGrade's own grading data.
