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A high-level overview of seven established and emerging services to help you narrow down your choice.
| Company | Starting Price | Fastest Turnaround | Best For | Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | $79.99/card active | 5-7 business days | Sports cards, Pokemon | Industry standard |
| BGS | $14.95 Base (paused) | 5 business days | Subgrade detail, Black Label | Premium collectors |
| CGC | $17 Bulk / $20 Economy | 2 working days | TCG, Pokemon, budget | Fast growing |
| SGC | $15/card | 2-3 business days (expedited) | Vintage sports cards | Vintage specialist |
| TAG | Priority $149 (limited) | 2-3 business days (WalkThrough) | Digital reports, modern cards | Technology-led challenger |
| ACE | £12 ACE Select Core / £18 Basic | 2 business days (Luxury) | UK and eligible international submissions | UK-based physical grading |
| AGS | $15 bulk / $18 standard | 5 business days (Premier Bulk) | Eligible modern sports and major TCGs | Automated AI physical grading |
Published pricing last verified August 5, 2026. CardGrade is independent and is not affiliated with the grading companies listed.
Official sources: PSA trading card grading services · Beckett card submission services · CGC cards grading services and fees · SGC card grading services and pricing · TAG grading service availability · ACE Grading prices and service levels · AGS prices and services
Beckett Base and Standard availability last verified August 8, 2026. Official update: Beckett Base and Standard service update.
New to submissions? Read how to get cards graded, including the real all-in costs and step-by-step process before choosing a service.
Founded in 1991, PSA is the most recognized card grading service in the world. PSA grades on a 1-10 scale with a single overall number. Their population reports and brand recognition make PSA-graded cards the most liquid in secondary markets.
Beckett Grading Services is known for four detailed subgrades: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface. Its published Standard, Express, and Priority tiers include them, while Base can be ordered without subgrades. A Black Label requires four perfect 10s.
Temporary Beckett service pause
New online Base and Standard submissions are temporarily paused. Beckett says Express and Priority remain available and expects paused services to begin reopening September 15. Existing and already-in-transit submissions continue to be processed. Read Beckett's August 5 service update.
Originally known for comic book grading, CGC expanded into trading card grading and has quickly gained market share. CGC offers competitive pricing and is particularly popular in the TCG and Pokemon card communities.
SGC has built a strong reputation in the vintage sports card market. Its current direct service starts at $15 without a membership or card minimum, though the public Standard estimate is currently 75+ business days after an order is logged.
TAG combines machine learning, computer vision, and human verification to grade eligible modern cards. Every slab includes a QR-linked Digital Imaging and Grading report, while select tiers add a 1000-point TAG Score and detailed subscores.
No matter which grading company you choose, pre-screening with CardGrade.io AI helps you make more deliberate submissions. Use an image-based estimate to decide what to inspect closely, then compare the physical card, current fees, and recent completed sales.
There is no single best grading company for every situation. Compare the exact card, recent completed sales, current service availability, turnaround, declared-value limit, and all-in cost. PSA, Beckett, CGC, SGC, TAG, ACE, and AGS each offer different services, workflows, and buyer preferences.
Resale value depends on the specific card, grade, population, holder, and current buyer demand. Compare recent completed sales for the exact card rather than assuming one grading company always commands the highest price.
Beckett lists Base at $14.95 without subgrades. Status checked August 8, 2026: New online Base and Standard submissions are temporarily paused. Existing and in-transit submissions continue to be processed; Express and Priority remain available. Beckett says it expects Base and Standard to reopen September 15, 2026, but confirm the live notice before submitting. CGC Bulk is $17 with a 25-card minimum, CGC Economy is $20, and SGC Standard is $15. TAG’s regular tiers are paused; its Priority service is currently limited. Minimums, availability, shipping, insurance, and card-value limits affect the real total.
Turnaround times vary by company, service level, card value, and capacity. Current entry estimates include 40-50 business days for PSA Regular, 75+ for Beckett Base and SGC Standard, 90 for CGC Economy, and 150 for CGC Bulk. Faster services can range from two to fifteen business days. Published timing is an estimate, not a door-to-door guarantee.
ACE publishes international-submission availability for many European countries as well as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Confirm your country, customs, return shipping, service level, and any label fees directly with ACE before submitting.
AGS is a physical card-grading service that describes its process as automated AI grading and provides a digital report. It is different from an at-home photo pre-screen: cards are mailed in, processed, and returned in a physical holder. Confirm current card eligibility and service terms before shipping.
Most major grading companies accept sports cards, Pokemon, and other TCG cards, but each has restrictions on sizes, years, materials, and autograph types. PSA and Beckett have broad catalogs, CGC grades many sports and TCG formats, SGC is centered on sports cards, and TAG primarily accepts eligible standard-size cards from 1989 onward.
A pre-screen can help you review visible condition signals before paying a professional grading fee. Treat the result as an image-based estimate, then inspect the physical card, check current service fees, and compare recent completed sales. It does not replace professional grading, authentication, or encapsulation.