PSA vs BGS vs CGC: which grading company should you choose?
The three big grading companies each have their strengths. Here is the full comparison of price, turnaround, sub-grades and resale value, with concrete recommendations for the most common collector situations.
| PSA | BGS (Beckett) | CGC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest tier (per card) | €54.99 | €27.84 | €18.70 |
| Fastest tier | 25-30 business days (Express) | ~15 business days (Express) | ~5 business days (WalkThrough) |
| Sub-grades | Pristine only | ||
| Top grade | Gem Mint 10 | Pristine 10 / Black Label | Perfect 10 |
| Vintage resale value | Highest | Medium | Lower |
| Modern investment | Medium | Highest (Black Label) | Medium |
| Japanese Pokémon | Medium | Medium | Highest |
| Current status at Slabbed | Open | Open | Open |
Prices are updated from the companies' public price lists. Observed turnaround times are our own measurements from actual submissions. See our price index for the full methodology and citation-friendly figures.
Which should you choose for your card?
Base Set / Jungle / Fossil sells for the highest prices in PSA slabs, especially in the US market.
Sub-grades document the quality. Chase a Black Label 10 for maximum investment value.
Strong resale market for CGC Japanese cards. Fast turnaround when you want the slab quickly.
Cheapest per card. Choose based on how patient you are - BGS 75+ business days, CGC 45 business days.
Compare prices live
Switch between PSA, BGS and CGC in the calculator to see the price across companies. All three are open for submissions.
Grading price calculator
Includes the grading company fee and Slabbed handling. Prices shown include applicable VAT. Bulk discount: BGS 5% from 5 cards and 10% from 10, CGC 3% from 5 cards and 5% from 10. Return shipping is tracked with GLS at €6.70 per submission. Shipping to us is paid by you. Optional insurance: €2 per started €135 of declared value.
From data to decision
We publish two data points that other comparisons rarely have: the current customer-facing price incl. taxes and our own observed turnaround time from actual submissions. See both in our price index.
Frequently asked questions
PSA, BGS or CGC - which should I choose?+
Short answer: PSA for vintage Pokémon and maximum resale value. BGS for modern investment cards and chasing Black Label. CGC if fast turnaround or Japanese Pokémon matters most.
Who gives the highest resale price?+
For vintage Pokémon (1999-2003), PSA typically gives the highest prices. For modern chase cards, a BGS Black Label 10 can beat even a PSA 10. CGC has historically been priced a bit lower, but is gaining ground on Japanese sets.
What is cheapest?+
CGC Economy is often cheapest per card, closely followed by BGS Base. PSA Standard Intro is competitive while the limited time price runs.
Who has sub-grades?+
BGS has standard sub-grades (Centering, Corners, Edges, Surface). CGC offers a Pristine line with sub-grades as an extra. PSA only gives an overall grade.
Is a PSA 10 the same as a BGS 10?+
They are comparable but not identical. A PSA 10 corresponds roughly to a BGS 9.5 or a regular BGS 10. The rare BGS Black Label 10, where all four sub-grades are 10.0, is stricter than a PSA 10.
Can you help me choose?+
Yes. Feel free to send us photos of your cards, and we will give you a free indicative assessment of which company and tier makes the most sense for your card.