PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC: Which Grading Company Should You Use?
Four companies grade most of the trading cards sold today: PSA, Beckett (BGS), CGC Cards and SGC. They all authenticate a card, grade it on a 10-point scale and seal it in a tamper-evident holder. They differ in how they define their top grades, what they charge, how long they take, and how buyers value their slabs. Here's a plain-English comparison based on each company's own published pages.
Not affiliated with any grading company. Prices and turnaround times were checked on each company's official pricing page on Oct 15, 2026 where we could read the page. They change often. Always confirm before you submit.
Quick comparison table
| PSA | BGS (Beckett) | CGC Cards | SGC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1 to 10, half-points from 1.5 to 8.5 (no 9.5) | 1 to 10 in half-points, with four subgrades | 1 to 10 in half-points, with Pristine 10 and Gem Mint 10 | 1 to 10 in half-points, with 10 Pristine and 10 Gem Mint |
| Top grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint | Pristine 10 / Black Label (see below) | Pristine 10 (special Pristine label) | 10 PRI (Pristine) |
| Subgrades | No | Centering, corners, edges, surface | Not on the standard tiers we read | No |
| Standard-tier price* | $59.99 (Standard, up to $1,000 value) | Check current pricing | $55 (Standard, up to $3,000 value) | $50 (Standard, up to $1,500 value) |
| Published turnaround* | 90 to 100 business days | Check current pricing | 10 working days (current estimate) | 40+ business days |
| Cheaper tiers | Value tiers temporarily paused | Check current pricing | Economy $20 (90 days), Bulk $17 (25-card minimum, 150 days) | None listed below Standard |
*From each company's official pricing page on Oct 15, 2026. Beckett's site blocked our automated checks, so we haven't listed BGS prices or turnaround. Check Beckett's own site. Turnaround estimates aren't guarantees and usually don't include shipping.
Grading scales and top labels
PSA
PSA grades from 1 to 10. Its top grade is Gem Mint 10, which allows about 55/45 centering on the front and 75/25 on the back. PSA gives half-point grades between 1.5 and 8.5 but has no 9.5. It uses qualifiers like OC (off-center) instead of subgrades. Our PSA grading standards guide covers every grade.
BGS (Beckett)
Beckett grades four categories (centering, corners, edges and surface), prints them as subgrades, and combines them into an overall grade in half-point steps. Collectors know BGS for the Black Label, which is widely understood to mean a Pristine 10 with a perfect 10 in all four subgrades. It's one of the hardest results to get in the hobby. Beckett also uses gold labels for its highest grades. Beckett's website blocked our checks while we wrote this, so read the exact label rules on Beckett's own grading scale page.
CGC Cards
CGC's scale has two 10s. A Pristine 10 is "virtually flawless," with 50/50 centering and flawless color and registration. Every card that earns it gets a special CGC Pristine 10 label. CGC says this label is for cards that are flawless under 10x magnification. A Gem Mint 10 is a 10 overall that misses one Pristine requirement, with front centering of about 55/45 or better and back centering of 75/25 or better. CGC also gives 9.5 (Mint+) and half grades down the scale. CGC says older "Gem Mint 9.5" grades from its earlier scale now correspond to today's Gem Mint 10.
SGC
SGC also has two 10s. 10 PRI (Pristine) is a "virtually flawless" card with 50/50 centering, crisp focus, four sharp corners, no stains, no breaks in surface gloss, no print or refractor lines and no visible wear under magnification. 10 GM (Gem Mint) allows 55/45 or better centering and a slight print spot visible only under close scrutiny. Many collectors call SGC's Pristine slab the "Gold Label." SGC's scale page doesn't use that term, so check the label on any listing you're buying.
Pricing and turnaround, compared fairly
Price comparisons can mislead because each company caps the card value allowed at each tier. CGC's $55 Standard covers cards valued up to $3,000. PSA's $59.99 Standard covers up to $1,000. SGC's $50 Standard covers up to $1,500. If your card is worth more than a tier's limit, you have to pick a pricier tier.
The cheapest options also differ. On Oct 15, 2026, PSA said its Value services were temporarily paused, so its cheapest listed tier was $59.99. CGC listed Economy at $20 (max value $1,000, 90 working days) and Bulk at $17 (25-card minimum, max value $500, 150 days). SGC's pricing table listed Standard at $50 as its lowest raw-card tier, with expedited options from $150. For low-value cards, these gaps matter a lot. Run the numbers in our calculator by typing each company's fee into the grading fee box.
Turnaround estimates were also very different: 90 to 100 business days for PSA Standard, 40+ for SGC Standard, and 10 working days for CGC Standard. Treat these as snapshots. Backlogs grow and shrink quickly.
Resale reputation
We won't make up premium percentages. Here's what's generally true and easy to check yourself:
- PSA is the most widely recognized name in both sports cards and Pokémon. PSA 10 slabs of popular cards usually have the most sold listings, which makes them easier to price and sell.
- BGS has a strong following for modern sports cards, where buyers care about subgrades. Black Label cards are a distinct, high-end niche.
- CGC is common in trading card games, Pokémon included, and is often chosen for its lower prices and Pristine label.
- SGC has long been known for vintage sports cards, and its black "tuxedo" holder is well known among vintage collectors.
The best test is simple. Search eBay sold listings for your exact card in each company's slab at the same grade and compare. If one grader's 10s regularly sell for more, that difference can easily outweigh a cheaper fee.
Which to pick: Pokémon vs sports
Pokémon and other TCGs
If you're grading to sell a high-value card, PSA usually has the deepest pool of sold prices, which helps both pricing and selling. If you're grading lower-value cards for your collection, or want a lower fee, CGC's cheaper tiers are worth comparing. Either way, check sold prices for your card in each slab first.
Modern sports cards
PSA is the default for liquidity. BGS is worth considering if you think a card could get strong subgrades, since collectors pay attention to Black Label and high subgrades on modern cards. Check Beckett's current services and prices before you plan around it.
Vintage sports cards
PSA and SGC are both popular for vintage. Compare recent sales for your card in each holder, and remember the value caps on each tier.
Whatever you choose, run the result through the Pokémon calculator or sports calculator at the grade you realistically expect. If you go with PSA, our how to ship cards to PSA guide walks you through it.
More guides
- PSA Grading Standards Explained: What PSA looks for at every grade, centering limits, qualifiers and a pre-submission checklist.
- Is It Worth Grading Pokémon Cards?: When grading pays off, worked examples with real fee math, and when to sell raw instead.
- How to Ship Cards to PSA: Step-by-step: online submission, sleeving, semi-rigid holders, packing, tracking and what happens next.
Ready to run your own numbers? Use the Pokémon grading calculator or the sports card calculator.
FAQ
Which grading company is cheapest?
On Oct 15, 2026, CGC listed the lowest per-card fees we could verify ($17 Bulk with a 25-card minimum, $20 Economy). SGC's lowest listed raw-card tier was $50 and PSA's was $59.99, with its Value tiers paused. Check Beckett's site for BGS pricing.
What is a BGS Black Label?
It's Beckett's top designation, widely understood to mean a Pristine 10 with perfect 10 subgrades for centering, corners, edges and surface. Confirm the exact rules on Beckett's grading scale page.
Is CGC Pristine 10 better than a CGC Gem Mint 10?
Yes. CGC's Pristine 10 requires a virtually flawless card with 50/50 centering and gets a special label. Gem Mint 10 is a 10 that misses one Pristine requirement.
Should I grade Pokémon cards with PSA or CGC?
Compare sold prices for your exact card in each slab. PSA usually has the most sales data for popular Pokémon cards. CGC often costs less to grade. Run both fees through the calculator.
Sources
- PSA, Trading card grading fees (Standard $59.99, $1,000 max insured value, 90 to 100 business days; Value services temporarily paused). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- PSA, Grading Standards (Gem Mint 10 centering, half-point grades). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- CGC Cards, Services & Fees (Bulk $17 / $500 / 150 days, 25-card minimum; Economy $20 / $1,000 / 90 days; Standard $55 / $3,000 / 10 days; estimates not guaranteed). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- CGC Cards, Grading Scale (Pristine 10, Gem Mint 10, 9.5 Mint+, legacy grade key). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- SGC, Services and Pricing (Standard $50 up to $1,500 declared value, 40+ business days; expedited 2 to 3 days from $150). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- SGC, Grading Scale (10 PRI and 10 GM definitions). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- Beckett, Beckett Grading. Our automated checks were blocked on Oct 15, 2026, so BGS pricing and turnaround aren't listed. Check current pricing on Beckett's site.