Tool Comparison
Firefly III vs Ghostfolio
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, API
The software is free. Hosting and optional bank-connection services can add costs.
Best if
- You want a personal ledger for spending, budgets, and recurring transactions.
- You want to automate imports and finance rules on your own server.
- Paid from
- $4/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Self-hosted and managed Basic access are free. Managed Premium is billed yearly.
Best if
- You want to combine investment accounts, assets, and activity records.
- You want portfolio performance with a choice of self-hosted or managed access.
Pick Firefly III if
Firefly III
Free · Web · API
The software is free. Hosting and optional bank-connection services can add costs.
- You want a personal ledger for spending, budgets, and recurring transactions.
- You want to automate imports and finance rules on your own server.
Pick Ghostfolio if
Ghostfolio
Free • From $48/yr · Web · Mobile · API
Self-hosted and managed Basic access are free. Managed Premium is billed yearly.
- You want to combine investment accounts, assets, and activity records.
- You want portfolio performance with a choice of self-hosted or managed access.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Firefly III answers where your money goes; Ghostfolio helps you review what you own and how investments performed. You may use both for different records. Choose self-hosting only when you are prepared to manage updates, security, and backups, and do not assume either replaces local tax filing.
What readers say
Firefly III
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Ghostfolio
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Key differences at a glance
- Budgets and spending
- Firefly IIIPersonal ledger, categories, and recurring transactions
- Investment performance
- GhostfolioPortfolio activity and risk views
- Managed hosting option
- GhostfolioFree Basic and paid Premium
- Self-hosting and automation
- BothYou maintain your own deployment
What Firefly III does best
Personal ledger
Record accounts and double-entry transactions.
Budgets and rules
Organize spending with categories, tags, subscriptions, and automation rules.
Data imports
Use the separate importer for CSV, CAMT, and supported banking sources.
Workflow automation
Connect the REST API and optional transaction webhooks.
What Ghostfolio does best
Multi-account wealth tracking
Combine cash, securities, crypto, and custom assets.
Activity ledger
Record purchases, sales, fees, and dividends.
Performance and risk views
Review portfolio charts and analytics.
Self-hosting and REST API
Deploy Docker images and automate supported portfolio workflows.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free | Free • From $48/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | Free software; hosting is your responsibility | Premium adds data and advanced analytics |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | Yes |
API access | Yes | Yes |
Broker sync | No | — |
Integrations | Separate importer, REST API, and webhooks | Files, REST API, and self-hosted Docker |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Spending, budgets, and a personal ledger | Investments and household wealth |
Categories covered | 4 | 3 |
Regions | — | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data partners | — | Yahoo Finance and CoinGecko |
Capabilities | Transactions, rules, budgets, and reports | Assets, activity, portfolio performance, and risk |
Security | — | Status page |
| Try it | Visit Firefly III | Visit Ghostfolio |
Standout features
The best features of Firefly III and Ghostfolio.ShowHide
Standout features
What Firefly III does best
Personal ledger
Record accounts and double-entry transactions.
Budgets and rules
Organize spending with categories, tags, subscriptions, and automation rules.
Data imports
Use the separate importer for CSV, CAMT, and supported banking sources.
Workflow automation
Connect the REST API and optional transaction webhooks.
What Ghostfolio does best
Multi-account wealth tracking
Combine cash, securities, crypto, and custom assets.
Activity ledger
Record purchases, sales, fees, and dividends.
Performance and risk views
Review portfolio charts and analytics.
Self-hosting and REST API
Deploy Docker images and automate supported portfolio workflows.
All details
Every attribute we track for Firefly III and Ghostfolio.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | Other | StocksETFsCryptosOther |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersLong-term Investors |
Coverage details | Not specified | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data partners | Not specified | Yahoo FinanceCoinGecko |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | REST |
API auth & delivery | Auth: OAuth2 and APIKeyWebhooks | Auth: APIKeyDocs |
Import methods | CSVManual | CSVManual |
Integrations | GoCardlessSimpleFINLunch FlowEnable BankingSlackDiscordMattermost | Not specified |
Export formats | CSV | JSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status page |
Vendor & support | Firefly III (open-source project)Support: Email | Ghostfolio GmbHCountry: SwitzerlandFounded 2025Support: Email, Chat, and Forum |
Curation ratings | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Not specified |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free | Free“Self-hosted (Open Source)” |
| Entry paid plan | — | $48/yr≈ $4/mo“Ghostfolio Premium (Cloud)” |
Alternatives
Free alternatives
Questions we keep getting
Are these alternatives for the same finance task?
They overlap as open-source finance tools but serve different main jobs. Firefly III organizes spending and budgets in a personal ledger. Ghostfolio tracks investments, portfolio activity, performance, and wider wealth.
Do I have to host them myself?
Firefly III's reviewed offering is self-hosted, so you manage its server and maintenance. Ghostfolio can be self-hosted or used through managed Basic or Premium hosting. Self-hosting is free software access, not free infrastructure.
Can they import bank or investment records?
Firefly III uses a separate importer for files and supported banking sources. Ghostfolio accepts supported activity imports manually, by file, or through its API. Connection coverage and setup differ; verify the records you need to import.
Will either file my investment taxes?
Do not assume so. Firefly III is not a tax-lot engine, and Ghostfolio's country-specific tax reporting is limited. Keep the records and tax tools required for your jurisdiction alongside these personal-finance workflows.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.