Empower is the safest starting recommendation here if you want free comprehensive portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools. The rest of the page helps you decide when a lower-ranked option fits your situation better.
#1 on this list
Empower
Best for free comprehensive portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools
#2 on this list
Sharesight
Best for investors who need detailed performance reporting with dividend tracking
#3 on this list
Monarch Money
Best for investors wanting a modern interface that unifies budgeting and portfolio tracking
#4 on this list
Yahoo Finance
Best for free watchlists and basic portfolio tracking with strong market data
Use this view if you want the shortlist compressed into fit, rating, and standout tags.
| Rank | Pick | Best for | Standout tags | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Empower | Free comprehensive portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools | freeretirement planning | 4.5 |
| #2 | Sharesight | Investors who need detailed performance reporting with dividend tracking | dividendsperformance reporting | 4.4 |
| #3 | Monarch Money | Investors wanting a modern interface that unifies budgeting and portfolio tracking | unified viewmodern UI | 4.3 |
| #4 | Yahoo Finance | Free watchlists and basic portfolio tracking with strong market data | freemarket data | 4.0 |
| #5 | Fidelity | Fidelity account holders who want integrated research and portfolio tools | brokerage integratedresearch | 4.4 |
Empower
editorialEmpower is especially useful for free comprehensive portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about free comprehensive portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by depth of portfolio insights and decision support, not just account aggregation..
Sharesight
editorialSharesight is especially useful for investors who need detailed performance reporting with dividend tracking.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about investors who need detailed performance reporting with dividend tracking and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by depth of portfolio insights and decision support, not just account aggregation..
Monarch Money
editorialMonarch Money is especially useful for investors wanting a modern interface that unifies budgeting and portfolio tracking.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about investors wanting a modern interface that unifies budgeting and portfolio tracking and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by depth of portfolio insights and decision support, not just account aggregation..
Yahoo Finance
editorialYahoo Finance is especially useful for free watchlists and basic portfolio tracking with strong market data.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about free watchlists and basic portfolio tracking with strong market data and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by depth of portfolio insights and decision support, not just account aggregation..
Fidelity
editorialFidelity is especially useful for fidelity account holders who want integrated research and portfolio tools.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about fidelity account holders who want integrated research and portfolio tools and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by depth of portfolio insights and decision support, not just account aggregation..
What is the best free app for tracking investments?
Empower offers the most comprehensive free portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools. For dividend-focused investors, Sharesight's free tier covers up to 10 holdings.
Are portfolio tracking apps safe to link to my accounts?
Reputable apps use read-only API connections and bank-level encryption. They cannot move money. However, sharing credentials always carries some risk, so use established platforms.
Does Monarch Money replace a budgeting app?
Yes, Monarch combines budgeting and investment tracking in one interface, making it a strong choice for users who want both without paying for two subscriptions.
How accurate are portfolio performance calculations in these apps?
Apps like Sharesight use time-weighted return calculations that match industry standards. Free tools sometimes use simpler calculations that can be misleading with irregular cash flows.
