Let’s be honest, tracking capital gains is not exactly the most exciting part of investing. Between spreadsheets, receipts, and transaction records, it can feel overwhelming when tax season rolls around. The good news is that staying organized does not have to be hard or expensive.
There are plenty of free tools that automatically track your gains and losses. Whether you invest in stocks, ETFs, or crypto, these platforms can help make tax prep simple and stress-free.
Here are some of the best free options to try.
1. CoinTracker
If you invest in crypto, CoinTracker is one of the easiest tools to use. You can connect your exchanges and wallets, and it takes care of the rest by tracking your purchases, sales, and transfers in real time. You will get a clear view of your total portfolio, cost basis, and capital gains all in one place.
Why it is worth trying: It syncs automatically and works with tax software like TurboTax and TaxAct.
Best for: Crypto investors who want a hands-free tracking tool.
2. Sharesight
Sharesight is built for traditional investors who focus on stocks and ETFs. Once you link your brokerage accounts, it automatically logs your trades, dividends, and even currency conversions if you invest internationally. It is clean, visual, and surprisingly powerful for a free tool.
Why it is worth trying: It creates detailed performance and tax reports without manual data entry.
Best for: Stock investors who want professional-grade reporting in a simple dashboard.
3. Koinly
Koinly is another great choice for crypto investors. It pulls in your data from multiple exchanges and wallets, calculates your capital gains and losses, and helps you stay compliant when filing taxes.
Why it is worth trying: It handles complex trading data across different platforms automatically.
Best for: Active crypto traders who want accuracy without paying for software.
4. Google Sheets
If you prefer full control, you can create your own capital gains tracker using Google Sheets. By connecting APIs like Google Finance or CoinGecko, you can pull live price data right into your spreadsheet. It takes a little setup, but once it is working, you have a free and flexible tracking system.
Why it is worth trying: It is fully customizable and gives you total control over your data.
Best for: Investors who like building their own tools.
5. Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
Empower goes beyond just tracking capital gains. It is a complete financial dashboard that combines your investments, spending, and net worth in one place. It automatically tracks performance and shows how your portfolio is doing over time.
Why it is worth trying: It helps you see the full picture of your finances, not just your taxable gains.
Best for: Anyone who wants an all-in-one view of their money.
Tips to Stay Organized
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Update your accounts or imports regularly so everything stays current.
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Export your reports early instead of waiting until tax time.
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Double-check your cost basis and trade dates to make sure everything matches up.
Final Thoughts
Tracking your capital gains does not have to be complicated. With the right free tools, you can stay organized, save time, and file your taxes with confidence. Try a few of these options now so you are ready long before tax season arrives.
