Last Updated: 2026-10-26
Start with the task: inspect a chart, reconcile a holding, check a transaction or prepare records. “Free” can mean a permanent basic plan, a limited preview, an expiring trial or software that still needs paid data. It does not mean free trading, complete records or better returns. The directory below uses official pages checked on the date above; no paid account, import or execution test is claimed.
A short directory with a boundary for each tool
Scroll sideways to see every column. Keyboard: focus the table region and use the arrow keys.
| Task | Source and observed offer | Check before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect a chart | TradingView pricing lists a free Basic plan and one chart per tab | Confirm the exact venue, instrument and data timing; chart access does not establish replay, export or webhook entitlement |
| Track a watchlist or holdings | CoinGecko Portfolio presents free portfolio tracking | Reconcile quantities and sources; a displayed valuation is not a sale price or complete cost basis |
| Preview imported records | Koinly pricing lists 10,000 transactions on Free; tax reports are paid separately | Check import coverage, transaction counting, jurisdiction and report year; a preview is not a filed or verified return |
| Inspect a protocol metric | DefiLlama methodology distinguishes TVL, fees, revenue and volume, with adapter references | Record the metric definition, chain, valuation and timestamp; these measures are not interchangeable |
| Inspect a specific on-chain event | Etherscan offers public explorer pages; its API documentation describes separate endpoints and plan limits | Use the correct chain and full hash; a transfer, label or contract source alone does not prove ownership, safety or trading profit |
The provider links are direct sources, not affiliate signup links. The observed offers can change. Public dashboards and APIs may have different limits and terms; a page you can read is not a license to redistribute its data.
Test a small record before importing an account
Use a synthetic worksheet first. Suppose two units were bought at $100 each with a $2 fee. One was later sold for $120 with a $1 fee; one remains valued at $90. Cash paid is $202, cash received is $119, and the remaining marked holding is $90. Together that is a $7 economic gain before other costs, while cash flow alone is -$83. Tax classification is a separate question.
A tracker that displays only $90 of holdings cannot establish that gain. An importer needs both fills, the fees and the opening quantity; a tax tool additionally needs the applicable treatment. Check whether a transfer between your own accounts is duplicated or mistaken for an independent purchase. Save source records and correction notes before judging a dashboard's number.
Compare the actual free boundary
Scroll sideways to see every column. Keyboard: focus the table region and use the arrow keys.
| Label | What to record |
|---|---|
| Basic plan | Supported output, account requirement, limits and whether history remains accessible |
| Free preview | What can be inspected versus exported or downloaded |
| Trial | End date, payment method, renewal and cancellation terms |
| Open-source program | Exact license/version, data and hosting costs, maintenance and credential handling |
A free consultation is not a free tax report. A bot with no subscription can still incur fees, funding, spreads and losses. Do not open a live position just to qualify for a tool offer. A charting subscription and exchange trading fees also pay for different things.
Minimize the data you hand over
Start with manual entries or redacted sample files where the product supports them. A public wallet address can link activity to you. Read-only API credentials still expose records; trading permission is unnecessary for a tracker and withdrawal permission is unnecessary for a simple import. Check retention, deletion, export and permission scope before connecting real accounts. No listed provider is certified secure by this article.
For a records-first workflow, use portfolio reconciliation. For charts, compare research and execution tasks. Choose a paid plan only when a specific required output fails the free test and the current written plan actually supplies it.
Educational information, not financial or tax advice. Other site pages may include disclosed affiliate links. No claim of personal testing, institutional parity or profitable trading follows from this directory.