So… you’ve got a card that looks clean, sharp, and ready to become a slab superstar.
But before you click submit, there’s the big question:
PSA or CGC?
(And yeah, we’ll touch on BGS too — don’t worry.)
In this guide, we’ll break down who wins where, and help you figure out which grading company fits your collecting or flipping goals best in 2025.
⚖️ PSA vs. CGC: Quick Comparison (2025)
PSA Highlights:
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Grading Scale: 1–10 with half grades
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Label Design: Red/white classic
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Turnaround Time: Around 3–8 weeks
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Starting Price: ~$25–30 (Value tier)
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Known For: Tougher grading, especially on centering
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Subgrades: ❌ Not available
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Resale Value: 🥇 Highest overall
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Pop Report: Massive and well-established
CGC Highlights:
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Grading Scale: 1–10 with optional subgrades
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Label Design: Sleek blue/white slab
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Turnaround Time: Faster at 2–6 weeks
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Starting Price: ~$15–20 (Bulk tier)
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Known For: Consistency, clean slabs, collector appeal
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Subgrades: ✅ Optional (centering, surface, corners, edges)
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Resale Value: 🥈 Strong, especially for modern cards
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Pop Report: Growing quickly
🔴 Why Choose PSA
Ideal For:
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Vintage Pokémon cards
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First editions
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Iconic sports cards
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High-value flips and auctions
Benefits:
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PSA 10s fetch higher resale prices
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Trusted by investors and serious buyers
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Pop reports are industry standard
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Best for building long-term slab value
🔵 Why Choose CGC
Ideal For:
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Modern Pokémon (alt arts, EX, VMAX, etc.)
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Set completion and personal collection goals
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Cards you want graded quickly
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Slabs that display well
Benefits:
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Affordable pricing, fast turnaround
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Optional subgrades = more transparency
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CGC 10s are harder to earn = potentially rarer
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Clean, sleek design collectors love
📉 Real Value Example
Espeon VMAX (Fusion Strike, Alt Art)
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Raw Value: ~$70
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PSA 10: ~$250–300
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CGC 9.5: ~$200
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CGC 10: ~$260+
✅ Conclusion: Still worth grading — but PSA 10 tends to sell faster and for more.
🧠 How to Decide (Quick Flow)
Go with PSA if:
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You’re flipping or selling at max value
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You want widespread slab recognition
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You’re grading vintage or high-dollar cards
Go with CGC if:
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You want to grade modern cards fast and affordably
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You prefer subgrades and clear grading breakdowns
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You’re building a collection and love clean design
🟡 What About BGS?
Beckett still has a solid reputation in 2025, especially among sports collectors.
Why people still use BGS:
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Black Label 10s hold prestige
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Solid for high-end vintage sports cards
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Subgrades are standard
But…
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Turnaround is slower
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Less market share today compared to PSA and CGC
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Fewer people use BGS for modern Pokémon
🧾 Grading Cost Snapshot (2025)
PSA Pricing:
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Value Tier: ~$25–30
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Standard: ~$50–75
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Express: $150+
CGC Pricing:
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Bulk Tier: ~$15–20
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Standard: ~$30–35
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Express: ~$60–80
Note: Prices may vary by declared value, insurance, and service level.
📬 New to Grading?
👉 Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to prepping your cards
Or let us help:
📦 Submit Cards for Grading
💰 Sell Your Cards Here
💬 Final Verdict: It Depends on You
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💰 Want the highest resale and top-tier reputation? → PSA
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🎨 Want speed, affordability, and display-ready slabs? → CGC
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🧠 Smart collectors use both — based on the card and the plan
🗣️ Which Grader Do You Trust?
Tag us on Instagram or X with your best slabs:
🔴 #TeamPSA or 🔵 #TeamCGC — let the community weigh in!
Let me know if you'd like:
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A matching image or graphic
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A short-form version for Instagram or X (Twitter)
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A downloadable blog file or carousel format for multi-u
