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PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs TAG: how the main graders compare
All four companies grade cards on a 1 to 10 scale and seal them in a tamper evident case. They differ in how they present subgrades, how their labels look, and how strongly buyers prefer them for different kinds of cards.
All four companies grade cards on a 1 to 10 scale and seal them in a tamper evident case. They differ in how they present subgrades, how their labels look, and how strongly buyers prefer them for different kinds of cards.
What they have in common
Each one authenticates the card, grades its condition, and encapsulates it with a label showing the grade and a certification number you can look up online.
Where they differ
- PSA is the most widely recognised name for Pokémon slabs, especially for vintage and high value cards.
- BGS (Beckett) offers subgrades for centering, corners, edges and surface, and has special labels for the very top grades.
- CGC grades many trading card games and is popular for modern cards.
- TAG uses imaging technology and publishes detailed reports on what affected the grade.
Which is best?
There is no single best. It depends on the card, the market you want to sell into, and what you value in a slab. When we list a slab, we tell you the grader, the grade and the cert number so you can decide for yourself.
Grading standards and services change. Always check each company's current information on their own site.