Top Investment Tracking Apps for Savvy Investors
Investment tracking apps provide more than just a snapshot of your financial portfolio; they deliver in-depth insights and strategic feedback that can enhance your investment decisions. Over the years, I have dedicated considerable time to evaluating a range of free and premium investment tracking applications. Below, I present a selection of the most valuable apps that I have encountered.
- Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
- Best for: Comprehensive retirement planning and detailed portfolio analysis.
- Key features: Retirement planner, investment checkup, fee analyzer.
- Cost: Core tools are free, with optional wealth management services available for a fee.
- Kubera
- Best for: Investors with a wide array of assets extending beyond traditional markets.
- Key features: Tracks cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), private equity, and tangible assets.
- Cost: $150 per year ($1 for a 14-day trial).
- Yahoo! Finance
- Best for: Casual investors managing portfolios of individual stocks, bonds, and ETFs.
- Key features: Real-time quotes, integrated news, and basic portfolio analysis tools.
- Cost: Free with an optional premium version available.
- Sharesight
- Best for: Investors with international portfolios.
- Key features: Advanced tax reporting, dividend income tracking, and performance benchmarking.
- Cost: Free plan available; paid plans range from $16 to $43 per month.
- Morningstar Investor
- Best for: Active investors seeking extensive research and analysis tools.
- Key features: Analyst reports, portfolio x-ray, and advanced screening tools.
- Cost: $249 per year or $34.95 per month (7-day free trial).
Table of Contents
- Best Investment Tracking Apps
- #1. Empower
- #2. Kubera
- #3. Yahoo! Finance
- #4. Sharesight
- #5. Morningstar Investor
- Other Portfolio Management Apps We Explored:
- Final Thoughts on the Best Investment Tracking Apps
Best Investment Tracking Apps
While there is no one-size-fits-all investment app, here’s a carefully curated list of top contenders catering to various investor needs.
#1. Empower
- Platforms: Available on iOS, Android, and desktop.
- Cost: Free tracking tools, with optional wealth management services available for a fee.
Empower serves as an all-encompassing financial app that not only tracks your spending but also provides a holistic view of your investments while analyzing your portfolio with actionable insights. One of my favorite features in Empower is its visualization of whether my portfolio is optimized for its given risk level, compared to the efficient frontier. This black line represents the optimal return for a specific level of risk. My current asset allocation (indicated by the blue X) and an alternative allocation (shown by the green circle) are closely aligned with this line, demonstrating efficiency.
Empower gathers data by syncing with your brokerage accounts, granting access to a suite of tools, including:
- Portfolio Tracker: Provides real-time performance monitoring across all your investment accounts, including IRAs, 401(k)s, and taxable accounts.
- Investment Checkup Tool: Assess how well your portfolio performs in comparison to standard benchmark portfolios and evaluate your allocation against ideal target allocations designed for optimal returns with minimal risk.
- Retirement Planner: Demonstrates whether your current portfolio balance and savings rate align with your retirement goals.
The more information you provide to Empower—such as your anticipated retirement date, expected expenses, and income—the more tailored and insightful the data you’ll receive. The app and its tools are entirely free, serving as a lead magnet for Empower, a major provider of employer retirement plans in the U.S. They also offer one-on-one wealth management services for a fee.
Learn more: Check out our detailed Empower review for insights into all its features and tips on maximizing the service’s potential.
#2. Kubera
- Platforms: Web-based (available on both desktop and mobile).
- Cost: $150 per year ($1 for a 14-day trial).
Kubera is a premium wealth tracker designed for investors with complex portfolios. It’s particularly beneficial for high-net-worth individuals whose assets extend beyond typical brokerage accounts. Kubera primarily offers insights into your net worth, investable cash position, and asset categorization.
Key features include:
- Inclusive Asset Tracking: Combines traditional investments, cryptocurrencies, private equity, and more into a single dashboard.
- Dynamic Scenario Modeling: Projects long-term wealth under various investment scenarios.
- Estate Planning: Offers built-in beneficiary management.
- Privacy Focus: No data selling or advertising interruptions.
Kubera has gained traction among cryptocurrency investors for its ability to integrate Bitcoin, Ethereum, and various other digital assets, providing a unified view of one’s portfolio alongside traditional investments.
#3. Yahoo! Finance
- Platforms: Available on iOS, Android, and desktop.
- Cost: Free with an optional premium upgrade.
Yahoo! Finance stands as one of the most renowned platforms for stock news and real-time updates. Its mobile app offers short-term traders a convenient way to monitor their performance. Moreover, many investors are unaware that they can link their Yahoo! accounts with existing brokerage accounts for real-time updates, alerts, and portfolio balances.
The premium upgrade—which starts at $25 per month—provides advanced portfolio analysis tools that cater primarily to technical traders interested in charting price movements. While the free version lacks extensive features, it serves as a useful tool for tracking a limited number of stocks, bonds, and ETFs in a single location.
#4. Sharesight
- Platforms: Web-based (accessible on desktop and mobile).
- Cost: Free plan available; paid plans start from $16 to $43 per month (billed annually).
Sharesight is perfect for investors who require comprehensive performance tracking and tax reporting across both domestic and international markets. Key features include:
- Real-time Portfolio Monitoring: Tracks performance, including dividends and currency fluctuations across global markets.
- Dividend Tracking: Automatically records dividend income, manages dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs), and forecasts future income.
- Advanced Reporting: Offers insights for capital gains, Foreign Investment Fund (FIF), and more.
- Diversification Analysis: Provides insights into asset allocation across currencies, markets, and sectors.
- Benchmarking: Compares investment performance against various market indexes.
Sharesight offers a free tier for up to 10 holdings, with paid plans starting at $16 per month.
#5. Morningstar Investor
- Platforms: Web-based (available on desktop and mobile).
- Cost: $249 per year or $34.95 per month (7-day free trial).
Morningstar Investor combines exceptional investment research with robust portfolio management tools. It is ideally suited for intermediate to advanced investors who are eager for professional-grade research on stocks and mutual funds, while also valuing portfolio management as a key aspect. Key features encompass:
- Analyst Insights: Access to independent research, ratings, and valuations from Morningstar.
- Portfolio X-ray: Analyzes your portfolio’s performance, allocation, fees, and potential risks (such as sector concentration or stock overlap).
- Tailored Analysis: Provides personalized insights and news based on your holdings and watchlists.
- Performance Tracking: Charts investment returns against chosen benchmarks and indexes.
Although it comes at a higher price point compared to basic trackers, Morningstar stands out due to its extensive research access.
Other Portfolio Management Apps We Explored:
- Fidelity Full View: A useful tool for retirement analysis, but it’s exclusively available to Fidelity customers. It’s worth considering if you qualify for basic net worth and planning tools.
- Stock Rover: An excellent research tool and stock screener, but its portfolio tracking capabilities are average relative to its cost.
- Delta: A newer app (lacking a desktop version) that accommodates various assets, including cryptocurrencies. It’s more favored among day traders than long-term investors.
- SigFig: Although frequently mentioned in other best-of lists, SigFig operates as a robo-advisor platform that charges a fee for asset management rather than serving as a true investment tracker.
- Quicken: A basic investment tracker with a high price tag, but it may be beneficial if you use Quicken for overall financial management.
Final Thoughts on the Best Investment Tracking Apps
The right investment tracking app can significantly enhance your financial decision-making process. When evaluating how to monitor your investment portfolio, consider how it aligns with your broader financial objectives.
- Is knowing your daily balance essential for reaching your short-term goals?
- Do you require feedback on your current asset allocation?
- Or are you simply looking for a way to oversee your investments’ performance at any moment?
Regardless of where you stand, there is a plethora of financial apps available to assist you. Just remember: choose an app that aids you in achieving your financial aspirations rather than distracting you from them.