Tool Comparison
Ghostfolio vs Portfolio Performance
- Paid from
- $4/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Managed Premium is billed yearly; self-hosting has infrastructure costs.
Best if
- You want a portfolio and wealth dashboard in a browser.
- You want a choice between self-hosting and managed hosting.
- You want to import activities through files or the REST API.
- Paid from
- $2.08/mo
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Desktop, Mobile
Paid pricing is for mobile Premium; the desktop app is free.
Best if
- You want investment records stored in a local desktop file.
- You want detailed returns that account for fees and cash flows.
- You want to compare allocations with your own target weights.
Pick Ghostfolio if
Ghostfolio
Free • From $48/yr · Web · Mobile · API
Managed Premium is billed yearly; self-hosting has infrastructure costs.
- You want a portfolio and wealth dashboard in a browser.
- You want a choice between self-hosting and managed hosting.
- You want to import activities through files or the REST API.
Pick Portfolio Performance if
Portfolio Performance
Free • From $25/yr · Desktop · Mobile
Paid pricing is for mobile Premium; the desktop app is free.
- You want investment records stored in a local desktop file.
- You want detailed returns that account for fees and cash flows.
- You want to compare allocations with your own target weights.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
The useful distinction is where you keep your records and how you review them. Ghostfolio offers a web dashboard for investments and wider wealth, hosted by you or through its managed service. Portfolio Performance keeps transaction accounting, return calculations, and allocation targets in a desktop file. Try a small account with trades, fees, and dividends in each. Both need accurate records; self-hosting also means maintaining backups, updates, and security.
What readers say
Ghostfolio
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Portfolio Performance
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Key differences at a glance
- Web dashboard
- GhostfolioSelf-hosted or managed access
- Local accounting file
- Portfolio PerformanceDesktop transaction records
- Allocation targets
- Portfolio PerformanceCustom groups and target weights
- Open-source tracking
- BothDifferent hosting and record workflows
What Ghostfolio does best
Multi-account wealth tracking
Combine cash, securities, crypto, and custom assets.
Performance and risk views
Review portfolio charts and analytics.
Imports and exports
Bring activities in manually, by file, or through the API.
Self-hosting and REST API
Deploy Docker images and automate supported portfolio workflows.
What Portfolio Performance does best
Transaction accounting
Record trades, transfers, dividends, fees, and taxes across accounts.
Performance reports
Compare returns, cash-flow timing, drawdowns, and volatility.
Allocation targets
Group securities with custom taxonomies and compare target weights.
Local portfolio files
Keep records in a local portfolio file with optional encryption.
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 • From $48/yr | Free • From $25/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | Managed Premium adds analytics, planning, and professional data. | Desktop is free; mobile Premium adds optional dashboards. |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | No |
Desktop app | No | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
Integrations | Files, manual activities, and REST API workflows. | Supported PDF, CSV, and IBKR Flex imports. |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Web-based investment and wealth tracking. | Local accounting, return calculations, and allocation targets. |
Categories covered | 3 | 5 |
Regions | — | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | Valuation depends on configured market-data sources. | Keep transactions and quote sources up to date. |
Data partners | Yahoo Finance and CoinGecko | — |
Capabilities | Activities, multi-account wealth, performance, and risk views. | Transaction accounting, cash-flow-aware returns, and rebalancing. |
Security | Status page | Encryption at rest |
| Try it | Visit Ghostfolio | Visit Portfolio Performance |
Standout features
The best features of Ghostfolio and Portfolio Performance.ShowHide
Standout features
What Ghostfolio does best
Multi-account wealth tracking
Combine cash, securities, crypto, and custom assets.
Performance and risk views
Review portfolio charts and analytics.
Imports and exports
Bring activities in manually, by file, or through the API.
Self-hosting and REST API
Deploy Docker images and automate supported portfolio workflows.
What Portfolio Performance does best
Transaction accounting
Record trades, transfers, dividends, fees, and taxes across accounts.
Performance reports
Compare returns, cash-flow timing, drawdowns, and volatility.
Allocation targets
Group securities with custom taxonomies and compare target weights.
Local portfolio files
Keep records in a local portfolio file with optional encryption.
All details
Every attribute we track for Ghostfolio and Portfolio Performance.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCryptosOther | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsCryptosCommoditiesOther |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | IntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersLong-term Investors | Retail Traders |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | End of Day |
Data granularity | Not specified | EOD |
Data partners | Yahoo FinanceCoinGecko | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: APIKeyDocs | Not specified |
Import methods | CSVManual | CSVManual |
Integrations | Not specified | Interactive Brokers (Activity Flex Query import)Google Drive (file sync via OS)OneDrive (file sync via OS)iCloud (file sync via OS) |
Export formats | JSON | CSVJSONXML |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status page | Encryption at rest |
Capability signals | Not specified | Portfolio attributionRebalancingMulti-currencyCost basis: FIFO |
Vendor & support | Ghostfolio GmbHCountry: SwitzerlandFounded 2025Support: Email, Chat, and Forum | Andreas BuchenCountry: GermanyFounded 2012Support: Email and Forum |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Self-hosted (Open Source)” | Free“Desktop (Open Source)” |
| Entry paid plan | $48/yr≈ $4/mo“Ghostfolio Premium (Cloud)” | $25/yr≈ $2.08/mo“Premium (Mobile Annual)” |
| Top plan | — | $3/mo“Premium (Mobile Monthly)” |
Questions we keep getting
What’s the main difference between Ghostfolio and Portfolio Performance?
Ghostfolio is a browser-based portfolio and wealth dashboard with self-hosted or managed access. Portfolio Performance emphasizes detailed investment records and return calculations in a local desktop file. Choose the record-storage and review workflow you prefer.
Are Ghostfolio and Portfolio Performance free?
Ghostfolio’s open-source self-hosted version and managed Basic plan are free. Managed Premium adds paid tools and data. Portfolio Performance’s desktop app is free; its mobile companion has an optional paid Premium tier. Hosting and third-party data can still have costs.
Can I edit Portfolio Performance transactions on my phone?
The mobile companion mainly reads portfolio files, with optional Premium dashboards. Core transaction editing stays in the desktop app. Ghostfolio’s browser-based interface is a different workflow if access across devices matters.
Will either tool automatically maintain all my brokerage records?
Do not assume complete live brokerage synchronization. Use supported imports, manual entries, or API workflows and reconcile them against account statements. Missing fees, taxes, dividends, or transfers can distort performance calculations.
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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.