VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Investors comparing Firefly III and Ghostfolio will find that Both Firefly III and Ghostfolio concentrate on Portfolio, and APIs & SDKs workflows, making them natural alternatives for similar investment research jobs. Firefly III leans into Webhooks, and Other, which can be decisive for teams that need depth over breadth. Ghostfolio stands out with Data Visualizations that the competition lacks. Use the feature-by-feature table to inspect unique capabilities and confirm which roadmap best maps to your process.
Head-to-head
Firefly III vs Ghostfolio
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
- Firefly III adds Webhooks, and Other coverage that Ghostfolio skips.
- Ghostfolio includes Data Visualizations categories that Firefly III omits.
- Firefly III highlights: Self-hosted open-source personal finance manager (AGPLv3 license)., Supports double-entry bookkeeping with budgets, categories, tags, and detailed reporting., and Comprehensive REST API (JSON) with OAuth2 and Personal Access Tokens, plus a full OpenAPI specification..
- Ghostfolio is known for: Track net worth and portfolios across cash, stocks, ETFs, and crypto in a privacy-first, open-source app., Manage transactions with full CRUD, multiple accounts, return-on-investment timelines (Today, WTD, MTD, YTD, 1Y, 5Y, Max), risk checks, charts, and customizable dark/zen modes., and Self-hosting supported with official Docker images (amd64/arm variants), plus templates for platforms like CasaOS, Home Assistant, Runtipi, TrueCharts, Umbrel, and Unraid..
- Ghostfolio offers mobile access, which Firefly III skips.
Firefly III
firefly-iii.org
An open-source, self-hosted personal finance manager licensed under AGPLv3. Offers full double-entry bookkeeping, REST APIs, and optional event webhooks. Exchange-rate conversion is available from v6.2 onward as an opt-in feature. Bank connections are handled separately through the Firefly Data Importer app.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Self-hosted open-source personal finance manager (AGPLv3 license).
- Supports double-entry bookkeeping with budgets, categories, tags, and detailed reporting.
- Comprehensive REST API (JSON) with OAuth2 and Personal Access Tokens, plus a full OpenAPI specification.
- Event webhooks for transaction create/update/delete, enabled through environment configuration.
- Separate Data Importer tool supports CSV and CAMT.053, with optional bank integrations via Salt Edge, GoCardless, and SimpleFIN.
Ghostfolio
ghostfol.io
An open-source (AGPL-3.0) portfolio and net-worth tracker designed with privacy in mind. You can self-host it for free using Docker or opt for Ghostfolio Premium, a fully managed cloud version (~$40/year). There’s no broker OAuth; data comes in via manual entry, CSV uploads, or API. Runs as a PWA with mobile access and even allows anonymous sign-ups.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Track net worth and portfolios across cash, stocks, ETFs, and crypto in a privacy-first, open-source app.
- Manage transactions with full CRUD, multiple accounts, return-on-investment timelines (Today, WTD, MTD, YTD, 1Y, 5Y, Max), risk checks, charts, and customizable dark/zen modes.
- Self-hosting supported with official Docker images (amd64/arm variants), plus templates for platforms like CasaOS, Home Assistant, Runtipi, TrueCharts, Umbrel, and Unraid.
- Public REST API with bearer-token authentication for importing activities, duplicate detection, and publishing public portfolio endpoints. Data sources include Yahoo Finance and CoinGecko, alongside manual inputs.
- CSV import for trades and positions (with specific improvements for brokers like IBKR noted in changelogs).
Shared focus areas
Both platforms align on these research themes, so you can stay within one workflow when your use case involves them.
Where they differ
Firefly III
Distinct strengths include:
- Self-hosted open-source personal finance manager (AGPLv3 license).
- Supports double-entry bookkeeping with budgets, categories, tags, and detailed reporting.
- Comprehensive REST API (JSON) with OAuth2 and Personal Access Tokens, plus a full OpenAPI specification.
- Event webhooks for transaction create/update/delete, enabled through environment configuration.
Ghostfolio
Distinct strengths include:
- Track net worth and portfolios across cash, stocks, ETFs, and crypto in a privacy-first, open-source app.
- Manage transactions with full CRUD, multiple accounts, return-on-investment timelines (Today, WTD, MTD, YTD, 1Y, 5Y, Max), risk checks, charts, and customizable dark/zen modes.
- Self-hosting supported with official Docker images (amd64/arm variants), plus templates for platforms like CasaOS, Home Assistant, Runtipi, TrueCharts, Umbrel, and Unraid.
- Public REST API with bearer-token authentication for importing activities, duplicate detection, and publishing public portfolio endpoints. Data sources include Yahoo Finance and CoinGecko, alongside manual inputs.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | Firefly III | Ghostfolio |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Portfolio, APIs & SDKs Unique: Webhooks, Other | Shared: Portfolio, APIs & SDKs Unique: Data Visualizations |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Other | Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Currencies |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, API | Web, Mobile, API |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free | Free, Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do Firefly III and Ghostfolio both support?
Both platforms cover Portfolio, and APIs & SDKs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do Firefly III and Ghostfolio require subscriptions?
Both Firefly III and Ghostfolio keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.
Which tool has mobile access?
Ghostfolio ships a dedicated mobile experience, while Firefly III focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
Firefly III differentiates itself with Self-hosted open-source personal finance manager (AGPLv3 license)., Supports double-entry bookkeeping with budgets, categories, tags, and detailed reporting., and Comprehensive REST API (JSON) with OAuth2 and Personal Access Tokens, plus a full OpenAPI specification., whereas Ghostfolio stands out for Track net worth and portfolios across cash, stocks, ETFs, and crypto in a privacy-first, open-source app., Manage transactions with full CRUD, multiple accounts, return-on-investment timelines (Today, WTD, MTD, YTD, 1Y, 5Y, Max), risk checks, charts, and customizable dark/zen modes., and Self-hosting supported with official Docker images (amd64/arm variants), plus templates for platforms like CasaOS, Home Assistant, Runtipi, TrueCharts, Umbrel, and Unraid..
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.