VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Investors comparing Ghostfolio and Open Payments (CMS) will find that Both Ghostfolio and Open Payments (CMS) concentrate on Data Visualizations, and APIs & SDKs workflows, making them natural alternatives for similar investment research jobs. Ghostfolio leans into Portfolio, which can be decisive for teams that need depth over breadth. Open Payments (CMS) stands out with Data APIs, and Regulatory Filings Monitoring 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
Ghostfolio vs Open Payments (CMS)
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
- Ghostfolio adds Portfolio coverage that Open Payments (CMS) skips.
- Open Payments (CMS) includes Data APIs, and Regulatory Filings Monitoring categories that Ghostfolio omits.
- Ghostfolio 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., and Self-hosting supported with official Docker images (amd64/arm variants), plus templates for platforms like CasaOS, Home Assistant, Runtipi, TrueCharts, Umbrel, and Unraid..
- Open Payments (CMS) is known for: Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests., Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal., and Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style)..
- Ghostfolio ships a mobile app. Open Payments (CMS) is web/desktop only.
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).
Open Payments (CMS)
openpaymentsdata.cms.gov
U.S. federal open‑data program (Affordable Care Act ‘Sunshine Act’) that publishes financial relationships between drug/device manufacturers (and GPOs) and healthcare providers (physicians, NPPs since PY2021, and teaching hospitals). CMS publishes the prior program year’s full datasets on or before June 30 each year and issues a January refresh. Data are accessible via the web search tool, bulk downloads, and a REST Open Data API (filter, query, aggregate).
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests.
- Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal.
- Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style).
- Publication cadence: initial annual publication on/around June 30 for the prior year, plus a January data refresh.
- Pre‑publication workflow: 45‑day recipient review & dispute (Apr 1–May 15) + 15‑day correction window (May 16–May 30).
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
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.
Open Payments (CMS)
Distinct strengths include:
- Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests.
- Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal.
- Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style).
- Publication cadence: initial annual publication on/around June 30 for the prior year, plus a January data refresh.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | Ghostfolio | Open Payments (CMS) |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Data Visualizations, APIs & SDKs Unique: Portfolio | Shared: Data Visualizations, APIs & SDKs Unique: Data APIs, Regulatory Filings Monitoring |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Currencies | Other |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, Mobile, API | Web, API |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free, Subscription | Free |
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 Ghostfolio and Open Payments (CMS) both support?
Both platforms cover Data Visualizations, and APIs & SDKs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do Ghostfolio and Open Payments (CMS) require subscriptions?
Both Ghostfolio and Open Payments (CMS) 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 Open Payments (CMS) focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
Ghostfolio differentiates itself with 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., whereas Open Payments (CMS) stands out for Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests., Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal., and Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style)..
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.