PSA vs Beckett vs CGC vs SGC vs TAG: which grader should you choose?
Card grading companies compared for 2026: starting prices, turnaround, strengths and which grader to pick for your cards (Pokémon, TCG, sports) and where you live.
Updated October 19, 2026 · 2 min read
There is no best grader for everyone. The right choice depends on your cards, what you want to do with them (sell or collect) and where you live.
At a glance
| Company | Country | Strength | From | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | United States (facility in Frankfurt) | Best resale, above all for sports cards | $79.99 | 40–50 business days |
| Beckett (BGS) | United States (center in Germany) | Subgrades on every label | $79.95 | 15 business days (Express) |
| CGC | United States (also grades in Munich) | Independent, well regarded in TCG | about $15 in bulk | 100+ business days in bulk |
| SGC | United States | Sports and vintage cards | $15 | 40–50 business days |
| TAG | United States | AI-assisted grading, detailed report | about $19 in bulk | varies |
| PCA | France (Paris) | First European grader, 3 experts per card | on request | varies |
| CCC | France | Detailed GradeReport, slabs made in France | on request | varies |
Prices and turnaround of the cheapest open service level as of August 2026; they change often, so check the official site. Each company's card and link is on our Grading page.
Good to know: PSA, Beckett and SGC belong to the same group, Collectors (SGC since February 2024, Beckett since December 2025). All three keep their own names, labels and grading.
You want the best resale price
PSA is still the market's benchmark: at the same grade, a PSA card usually sells for more, above all sports cards. It is the default choice for a valuable card you plan to sell, especially in the US.
You want to know exactly why your card got its grade
Beckett prints subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface) on every label. TAG gives a detailed report for each card, and CCC sends a GradeReport describing every defect. Useful to understand a grade, or for a demanding collector.
You have a lot of TCG cards to grade
CGC is popular with TCG players and has a low bulk price (25 cards minimum), in exchange for a long wait. TAG also has a bulk level for TCG cards.
You collect vintage sports cards
SGC is a favorite of vintage and pre-war collectors, with no minimum per order. PSA remains the reference for resale.
You live in Europe
Since 2025–2026, several major graders are in Germany: PSA in Frankfurt (open to the EU since September 15, 2026), Beckett in Germany and CGC in Munich. That avoids customs and transatlantic shipping. PCA and CCC, in France, are well-known local options for Pokémon, Magic, One Piece and other TCG cards.
Our advice
- A valuable card to sell: PSA.
- TCG cards to collect on a budget: CGC in bulk.
- You want detail on the grade: Beckett, TAG or CCC.
- A collection in France, no shipping abroad: PCA or CCC.
Before you send anything, read our guide How to get your cards graded.