How to Track Your Crypto Portfolio: Best Free Tools and Apps (Beginner’s Guide)
Keeping up with prices across exchanges can be messy. In this guide, you’ll learn the best free portfolio trackers (web + mobile), what they’re good at, and simple steps to start monitoring profits, losses, and alerts in minutes.
What to Look For in a Crypto Portfolio Tracker
- Easy import: Add your coins by manual entry, exchange API, CSV upload, or public wallet address.
- Accurate pricing: Prices from multiple exchanges; supports both spot and on-chain tokens.
- Profit & loss (P&L): Average cost, realized/unrealized gains, and performance by coin/exchange.
- Alerts: Price or portfolio alerts via app/email/Push.
- Privacy & security: Read-only APIs, no withdrawal permissions, and 2FA.
- Mobile apps: iOS/Android with sync to web.
Best Free Tools & Apps (Quick Picks)
1) CoinMarketCap Portfolio (Web + App)
Best for: Beginners who want simple tracking and watchlists inside the site they already use for prices.
- Manual entries, watchlists, simple profit tracking.
- Price alerts and basic performance charts.
- Limitations: On-chain wallet tracking is basic; advanced P&L and tax features are limited.
2) CoinGecko Portfolio (Web + App)
Best for: Broad token coverage and multiple portfolios (e.g., “long-term,” “trading”).
- Create multiple portfolios; track small-cap tokens.
- Alerts, categories, and clean UI.
- Limitations: Fewer automatic exchange sync options than dedicated trackers.
3) Delta (iOS/Android)
Best for: Mobile-first tracking with a polished design.
- Connect exchanges via read-only API; multi-asset (stocks/crypto).
- Smart notifications and performance over time.
- Limitations: Some advanced features require Delta Pro.
4) CoinStats (Web + App)
Best for: Power users who want lots of exchange/wallet integrations.
- Exchange APIs, wallet address tracking, DeFi support.
- Alerts, news feed, and basic tax export.
- Limitations: Some features sit behind premium; double-check read-only permissions on APIs.
5) Zerion (Web + App)
Best for: On-chain portfolios across EVM chains (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, etc.).
- Paste your wallet address to auto-track tokens, LPs, and NFTs.
- DeFi positions detected; multichain view.
- Limitations: Spot exchange balances are better handled by a separate tracker.
6) Zapper (Web)
Best for: Viewing DeFi positions and yields across many protocols.
- One dashboard for DeFi, NFTs, and gas fees.
- Great for “what’s in this wallet?” snapshots.
- Limitations: Focused on on-chain; less on exchange APIs.
7) DeBank (Web)
Best for: Advanced DeFi users who need deep protocol coverage and wallet profiling.
- Cross-chain wallet analytics; protocol-level detail.
- Good for tracking airdrop-eligible activity.
- Limitations: Interface can feel technical for beginners.
Step-by-Step: Set Up Your First Tracker (5 minutes)
- Choose your main app. For most beginners, start with CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap.
- Create a portfolio. Name it (e.g., “Main Portfolio”).
- Add your coins.
- Manual: Pick the coin, enter amount, and (optionally) buy price.
- CSV: Export trades from your exchange, then import.
- API (read-only): Connect an exchange key with no withdrawal permissions.
- Turn on price alerts. Set alerts for key levels (e.g., BTC at +/-5%, or a buy zone).
- Review performance. Check total value, P&L by coin, and average cost.
- Back up. If the app supports export, download a CSV snapshot monthly.
Tracking On-Chain Wallets (DeFi & NFTs)
If you use MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or a hardware wallet, you can track assets by public wallet address (no keys needed):
- Use Zerion or Zapper to paste your address and see tokens, NFTs, LP positions, and yields.
- For multiple chains, add each address (or ENS) to your dashboard.
- Match wallet totals with your main tracker, or keep a separate “DeFi” portfolio for clarity.
Pro Tips: Alerts, Backups, and Security
- Read-only only: When connecting exchange APIs, disable withdrawals and enable IP restrictions if available.
- Two trackers are fine: One for exchanges (spot), one for on-chain DeFi.
- Use alerts instead of doom-scrolling: Set alerts for entries/exits and portfolio drawdowns (e.g., -7%).
- Monthly CSV export: Keeps a history and makes tax time easier.
- Tag deposits/withdrawals: If your app supports notes/tags, label transfers between your own wallets to avoid double-counting P&L.
FAQ
Is it safe to connect an exchange API? Use read-only keys, turn off withdrawals, and keep 2FA on. A tracker should never be able to move funds.
Which app is best overall? For simple tracking: CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap. For on-chain: Zerion or Zapper. For advanced syncing and features: CoinStats or Delta.
Do I need to pay? Free tiers are enough for most beginners. Consider paid plans for unlimited exchange connections, advanced analytics, or tax reports.
