PSA vs CGC vs BGS: Which Grading Company Should You Use in 2025?

Choosing a grading company affects your card's resale value, turnaround time, and cost. Here's an honest comparison of the big three to help you decide.

Professional grading authenticates your card, assigns a condition grade, and seals it in a protective case. For valuable cards, grading can multiply value. But not all grading companies are equal in the eyes of collectors and the market.

Let's break down PSA, CGC, and BGS—the three companies that dominate the trading card grading world.

The Big Three: Quick Overview

Company	Best For	Market Premium	Turnaround
PSA	Sports cards, vintage, resale value	Highest	Moderate
BGS/Beckett	Modern cards, condition perfectionists	High (10s only)	Faster
CGC	Pokemon, TCG, budget grading	Growing	Fastest

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

Overview

PSA is the 800-pound gorilla of card grading. Founded in 1991, they've graded over 50 million cards and set the standard for the industry. When most collectors think "graded card," they picture a PSA slab.

Grading Scale

PSA uses a 1-10 scale with half-point grades:

• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): Near-perfect card. The holy grail.
• PSA 9 (Mint): Minor flaw visible under close inspection
• PSA 8 (NM-MT): Slight imperfections on corners or edges
• PSA 7 and below: Increasingly visible wear

No subgrades—just one overall number.

Pricing (as of 2025)

• Value tier ($0-499 declared value): $25/card
• Regular tier ($500-1,499): $75/card
• Express ($1,500-2,499): $150/card
• Super Express ($2,500+): $300/card

Bulk submissions available for PSA members at reduced rates.

Turnaround Times

• Value: 60-90 business days
• Regular: 30-45 business days
• Express: 10-15 business days
• Super Express: 2-5 business days

Times fluctuate based on submission volume.

Pros

• Highest resale value: PSA 10s command the biggest premiums
• Most recognized brand: Everyone knows PSA
• Largest population reports: Easy to research how many exist
• Strong for vintage: The standard for pre-1980 cards
• Clean, simple slab design: Iconic look

Cons

• Higher prices: Especially for quick turnarounds
• Slower turnarounds: Value tier can take months
• No subgrades: Less detail on condition specifics
• Strict membership requirements: Need PSA membership for best rates

Best For

• Vintage sports cards (especially pre-1980)
• High-value modern cards where maximum resale matters
• Cards you plan to sell (PSA commands best prices)
• Long-term holds

BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

Overview

BGS is known for their detailed subgrades and stringent 10 standards. A BGS 10 "Black Label" (all four subgrades are 10) is the rarest and most valuable grade in the hobby for modern cards.

Grading Scale

BGS uses a 1-10 scale with subgrades in four categories:

• Centering: How well-centered is the image?
• Corners: Are corners sharp?
• Edges: Any whitening or chips?
• Surface: Scratches, print lines, or defects?

The overall grade is based on a weighted average of subgrades.

Special Labels

• Black Label (BGS 10): All four subgrades are 10. Extremely rare.
• Pristine (BGS 10): Overall 10 with at least one 9.5 subgrade.
• Gem Mint (BGS 9.5): Similar to PSA 10, very desirable.

Pricing (as of 2025)

• Economy ($0-249 value): $20/card
• Standard ($250-999): $40/card
• Premium ($1,000-2,499): $100/card
• Express/Super Express: $150-250+/card

Turnaround Times

• Economy: 45-75 business days
• Standard: 20-40 business days
• Premium: 10-15 business days
• Express: 5-7 business days

Pros

• Subgrades: Detailed breakdown of condition
• Prestigious top grades: Black Label 10s are legendary
• Strong modern card reputation: Popular for new releases
• Competitive pricing: Often cheaper than PSA
• Faster economy service: Sometimes quicker than PSA

Cons

• Harder to get 10s: Stricter standards mean fewer 10s
• Lower resale than PSA: BGS 9.5 ≈ PSA 10 in market value, but PSA 10 still sells higher
• Larger cases: Take up more storage space
• Population data less accessible: Harder to research

Best For

• Modern cards in exceptional condition
• Collectors who value detailed grading information
• Cards where you're confident in a BGS 10 shot
• Personal collection (subgrades are satisfying to have)

CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

Overview

CGC entered the trading card market in 2020, leveraging their comic book grading reputation. They've quickly become a major player, especially in the Pokemon and TCG space.

Grading Scale

CGC uses a 1-10 scale with half-point increments. Like PSA, they offer a single overall grade. Optional subgrades are available for an additional fee.

Special Labels

• Pristine 10: Their highest grade, stricter than PSA 10
• Gem Mint 10: Comparable to PSA 10
• Perfect 10: Flawless in every way (extremely rare)

Pricing (as of 2025)

• Economy ($0-250 value): $15-18/card
• Standard ($251-1,000): $30/card
• Express ($1,001-2,500): $65/card
• Walk-through ($2,501+): $150+/card

Generally the most affordable of the big three.

Turnaround Times

• Economy: 50-65 business days
• Standard: 25-35 business days
• Express: 8-12 business days
• Walk-through: 2-4 business days

CGC has generally maintained faster turnarounds than PSA.

Pros

• Fastest turnarounds: Usually quicker than PSA and BGS
• Most affordable: Economy tier is cheapest in the industry
• Growing acceptance: Especially strong in Pokemon community
• Clean slab design: Similar to PSA aesthetic
• Inner sleeve option: Protects card surface inside the case
• Optional subgrades: Get detailed info if you want it

Cons

• Lower resale premium: CGC cards sell for less than equivalent PSA grades
• Newer to cards: Less established than PSA/BGS
• Less vintage expertise: Not the go-to for pre-1980 cards
• Smaller pop reports: Less historical data

Best For

• Pokemon and TCG cards
• Budget-conscious grading
• Cards you want graded quickly
• Modern cards where the PSA premium isn't worth the cost
• Personal collection protection

Head-to-Head Comparison

Resale Value (PSA Wins)

When it comes to selling, PSA cards command the highest prices. A PSA 10 typically sells for 10-20% more than an equivalent CGC 10 or BGS 9.5.

Example (approximate, varies by card):

• PSA 10: $500
• BGS 9.5: $400-450
• CGC 10: $375-425
• BGS 10 Black Label: $700+ (rare premium)

Grading Standards (BGS Strictest)

BGS is hardest on centering and gives out fewer 10s. PSA is slightly more lenient. CGC falls in between.

• A card that gets PSA 10 might get BGS 9.5
• A card that gets BGS 10 is exceptional
• CGC Pristine 10 is comparable to BGS 10 in difficulty

Speed (CGC Wins)

CGC consistently offers the fastest turnaround times at each price tier. PSA is slowest, especially at economy levels.

Price (CGC Wins)

CGC is the most affordable option, especially for bulk submissions. BGS is competitive. PSA charges premium prices for the premium brand.

Vintage Cards (PSA Wins)

For vintage cards (pre-1980 sports, early Pokemon, etc.), PSA is the industry standard. Their population reports and expertise are unmatched.

Modern Cards (All Competitive)

For modern cards, all three are viable. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize resale (PSA), detail (BGS), or value (CGC).

Decision Framework: Which Should You Use?

Choose PSA If:

• You're grading to sell and want maximum value
• It's a vintage card (pre-1990)
• It's a high-value card where the extra resale covers the cost
• You're building a long-term investment portfolio

Choose BGS If:

• You want detailed subgrades for your collection
• The card is in exceptional condition and might Black Label
• You're keeping it and want maximum grading detail
• It's a modern card where BGS has strong acceptance

Choose CGC If:

• You're grading Pokemon or TCG cards
• You want fast turnaround at low cost
• You're grading for protection more than resale
• You're bulk grading lower-value cards
• Budget is a primary concern

Other Grading Companies Worth Knowing

SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Company)

Fourth-largest grader with a loyal following. Known for vintage expertise and black tuxedo-style slabs. Faster and cheaper than PSA, growing in acceptance.

CSG (Certified Sports Guaranty)

CGC's sister company for sports cards. Same ownership, similar turnarounds and pricing. Newer but growing.

HGA (Hybrid Grading Approach)

Known for custom colored labels that match the card. Appeals to collectors who value aesthetics. Controversial in terms of grading consistency.

Key Takeaways

• For maximum resale value: PSA is king, especially for vintage
• For detailed grading: BGS subgrades tell you exactly where your card stands
• For speed and budget: CGC offers the best bang for your buck
• For Pokemon/TCG: CGC has strong acceptance; PSA for high-value vintage
• The market is shifting: CGC and SGC are gaining ground on PSA
• Match your goal: Selling? Go PSA. Collecting? Any company works. Budget? Go CGC.

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