Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) – Considered the largest and most reputable card grading service. PSA was founded in 2000 and uses a 1-10 grading scale. It authenticates and grades thousands of cards daily. A PSA 10 card is essentially flawless and considered the “gem mint” standard. PSA set the standard for third party grading and really helped create a vibrant market for vintage graded cards. PSA domination of the market is partly due to the transparency of its rigorous grading process and high standards. It has given collectors confidence that cards they buy have been properly assessed.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) – Launched in 1992, BGS was one of the pioneers of third party card grading. It uses a 1-10 grading scale as well as sub-grades (centering, corners, edges and surface) to give collectors a more in-depth analysis of a card’s condition. BGS population reports provide collectors with valuable data on how rare a certain grade is for a certain card. It has developed a solid reputation for accurate and consistent grading over the years. While PSA remains the largest, BGS is still a respected and trusted name in the hobby.

SGC (Collectable Grading/Certification) – Formed in 2000, SGC focuses solely on sports and comic book collectibles. It uses a 1-10 grading scale and special label designs that allow collectors to quickly recognize grades. SGC aims to provide an affordable alternative to the “big two” grading companies. While it doesn’t have the population or brand recognition of PSA or BGS yet, SGC turnover has increased in recent years and it has earned the respect of most collectors for fair and accurate assessments.

HGA (HeroGrading/Certified Authenticated) – Launched in 2020, HGA is one of the newest entrants to the card grading market. It utilizes cutting-edge authentication and imaging technology to provide high resolution scans of each graded card for collectors to inspect. HGA aims to be more transparent than competitors by flagging flaws usually missed by other services. Some see HGA as a potential disruptor in the hobby by offering high tech features at affordable prices. Only time will tell if it can build a loyal customer base and compete head-to-head with the established leaders.

CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) – Parent company of several collectibles brands, CGC entered the baseball card market in 2003. It utilizes a 1-10 grading scale and sub-grades. In recent years CGC has gained popularity for their affordable “economy” submission packages that allow collectors of all budget levels to grade collections. Overall CGC is a respectable grading option that has thrived by carving out a niche as a more budget-friendly alternative.

There are other niche grading companies that focus on specific cards, sets or eras as well, but the above five represent the major players that most collectors will recognize and trust for high volume submission of modern and vintage baseball cards. The grading process at these companies usually involves assigning a unique ID number to each card, inspecting it under high powered lighting and magnification, research to detect alterations, encapsulating the card holder in a tamper proof case with the assigned grade clearly displayed and including a Certificate of Authenticity. Fees are charged based on turnaround time and value of the cards. While some criticize certain aspects of third party grading, it has undoubtedly enhanced the experience of collecting sports cards as a legitimate and trusted hobby.