CoinTracker Review 2025: Is It Worth It?

What is CoinTracker?

CoinTracker is a cryptocurrency portfolio tracker and tax software founded in 2017 by Jon Lerner and Chandan Lodha, former Google and Microsoft employees. Based in San Francisco, CoinTracker is backed by major investors including Coinbase Ventures, Initialized Capital, and Y Combinator.

Unlike pure tax software like Koinly or TokenTax, CoinTracker positions itself as a portfolio management platform first, tax software second. This dual focus makes it unique in the crypto tax space, but also means it's priced differently than competitors.

CoinTracker serves over 1 million users across 100+ countries and integrates with 300+ exchanges, wallets, and blockchains. The platform automatically syncs transactions, tracks live prices, calculates gains/losses, and generates tax reports for multiple jurisdictions.

Key Features

1. Real-Time Portfolio Tracking

CoinTracker's standout feature is its live portfolio dashboard that updates prices in real-time across all connected accounts. You can see:

• Total portfolio value with 24h change
• Individual coin holdings and allocations
• Performance charts (1D, 1W, 1M, 1Y, All)
• Profit/loss for each holding
• Transaction history across all accounts

The mobile app (iOS/Android) provides push notifications for price alerts, making it ideal for active traders who want to monitor portfolios on the go.

2. Automatic Exchange Syncing

CoinTracker supports 300+ exchanges and wallets via API or CSV import:

• Major exchanges: Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Gemini, Crypto.com, KuCoin
• DeFi protocols: Uniswap, Aave, Compound, Curve (via wallet integration)
• Hardware wallets: Ledger, Trezor
• Blockchains: Ethereum, Bitcoin, Polygon, Solana, Avalanche, BSC
• NFT marketplaces: OpenSea (basic support)

Syncing is automatic and continuous — once you connect an exchange, CoinTracker pulls new transactions every few hours without manual intervention.

3. Tax Report Generation

CoinTracker generates comprehensive tax reports for multiple countries:

• United States: Form 8949, Schedule D, complete capital gains breakdown
• United Kingdom: HMRC-compliant reports with same-day and 30-day rules
• Canada: CRA Schedule 3 reports
• Australia: ATO myTax format
• Germany: German tax authority format

Reports include short-term vs long-term classification, cost basis calculations (FIFO, LIFO, HIFO), and income categorization (staking, mining, airdrops).

4. Cost Basis Methods

CoinTracker supports multiple cost basis accounting methods:

• FIFO (First In, First Out) — default for most countries
• LIFO (Last In, First Out)
• HIFO (Highest In, First Out) — tax optimization
• Specific Identification — choose which lots to sell (premium plans)

The platform automatically calculates gains/losses using your selected method and shows how switching methods affects your tax liability.

5. Tax Loss Harvesting

CoinTracker's Tax Loss Harvesting tool (available on higher-tier plans) identifies opportunities to sell losing positions to offset capital gains. The feature shows:

• Coins currently at a loss
• Potential tax savings from harvesting losses
• Wash sale warnings (for US users with securities)

Note: Wash sale rules don't currently apply to cryptocurrency in the US, but CoinTracker warns users about potential future changes.

6. Audit Trail & Transaction Review

CoinTracker provides a detailed audit trail of all transactions with:

• Transaction type classification (trade, transfer, income, etc.)
• Manual editing capabilities for incorrect classifications
• Transaction reconciliation across multiple accounts
• Duplicate detection and merging
• Missing transaction warnings

This transparency is crucial for defending tax reports during audits.

CoinTracker Pricing (2025)

CoinTracker uses a transaction-based pricing model rather than a flat annual fee. This can be expensive for high-volume traders compared to competitors.

How CoinTracker Works: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create Account

Sign up at cointracker.io using email or Google/Apple sign-in. No credit card required for the free plan.

Step 2: Connect Exchanges & Wallets

Add your exchanges and wallets via:

• API connection: Enter read-only API keys (most secure)
• CSV import: Upload transaction history files
• Wallet address: Connect via public address for on-chain wallets

CoinTracker provides detailed setup guides for each exchange. API connections enable automatic syncing; CSV imports require manual updates.

Step 3: Review Transactions

CoinTracker automatically classifies transactions as trades, transfers, income, or expenses. Review the "Transactions" tab and:

• Verify transaction types are correct
• Edit misclassified transactions
• Add missing transactions manually
• Merge duplicate transactions

This step is crucial for accuracy — incorrect classifications can significantly affect your tax liability.

Step 4: Set Tax Settings

Configure your tax preferences:

• Select your country (US, UK, Canada, etc.)
• Choose cost basis method (FIFO, LIFO, HIFO)
• Set currency (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.)
• Configure specific rules (wash sales, same-day rules)

Step 5: Generate Tax Report

Once transactions are reviewed, generate your tax report:

• Click "Tax Center" → "Generate Report"
• Select tax year (2024, 2023, etc.)
• Download Form 8949, Schedule D, or country-specific formats
• Export to TurboTax, TaxAct, or H&R Block (US users)

Step 6: File Taxes

Use CoinTracker's reports to file taxes:

• DIY filing: Import into TurboTax or tax software
• CPA filing: Share reports with your accountant
• CoinTracker Pro: Get CPA review before filing (Pro plan)

Portfolio Tracking Features

CoinTracker's portfolio tracking is more advanced than most crypto tax software:

Live Price Monitoring

• Real-time portfolio value updates
• 24-hour price change percentages
• Historical performance charts (1D to All-Time)
• Asset allocation pie charts

Mobile App

• iOS and Android apps with full feature parity
• Push notifications for price alerts
• Biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID)
• Dark mode support

Multi-Portfolio Support

• Create separate portfolios (personal, business, family)
• Track net worth across all portfolios
• Compare portfolio performance side-by-side

Performance Analytics

• Realized vs unrealized gains
• Return on investment (ROI) percentages
• Cost basis vs current value
• Income breakdown (staking, mining, airdrops)

DeFi Support

CoinTracker's DeFi support is good but not exceptional. It handles common DeFi protocols but struggles with complex transactions.

Verdict: CoinTracker handles mainstream DeFi well but struggles with newer protocols and complex multi-step transactions. Power users may need to manually edit transactions.

Country Support

CoinTracker supports tax reporting for 100+ countries, but report quality varies:

United States 🇺🇸

• Forms: Form 8949, Schedule D, Schedule 1
• Integration: Direct import to TurboTax, TaxAct, H&R Block
• Accuracy: Excellent — built specifically for US tax code
• Cost basis: All methods supported (FIFO, LIFO, HIFO, Specific ID)

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

• Format: HMRC-compliant capital gains report
• Rules: Same-day rule, 30-day bed-and-breakfast rule
• Accuracy: Good — follows Section 104 pooling
• Missing: No direct Self Assessment integration

Canada 🇨🇦

• Format: Schedule 3 capital gains report
• Rules: Superficial loss rules, 50% inclusion rate
• Accuracy: Good — CRA-compliant

Australia 🇦🇺

• Format: ATO myTax format
• Rules: 50% CGT discount after 12 months
• Accuracy: Good — ATO-compliant

Other Countries

CoinTracker provides generic capital gains reports for 100+ countries, but they may require manual adjustment for local tax rules.

Pros & Cons

CoinTracker vs Competitors

CoinTracker vs Koinly

Winner: Koinly for value and DeFi; CoinTracker for portfolio tracking and US tax accuracy.

CoinTracker vs TokenTax

Winner: TokenTax for value and tax features; CoinTracker for portfolio management.

Who Should Use CoinTracker?

✅ Perfect For:

• Active traders who check portfolio values daily
• US taxpayers needing Form 8949 and TurboTax integration
• Mobile-first users who want iOS/Android apps
• Low-volume traders (<100 transactions/year)
• Users valuing convenience over cost savings

❌ Not Ideal For:

• High-volume traders (10,000+ transactions) — too expensive
• DeFi power users — Koinly handles complex DeFi better
• Budget-conscious users — Half the cost at competitors
• NFT collectors — Basic NFT support
• Users needing audit defense — TokenTax offers better audit support

Consider Instead:

• Koinly — If you need better DeFi support or lower cost
• TokenTax — If you want CPA network access and audit support
• CoinLedger — If you're a US user on a tight budget

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CoinTracker free?

CoinTracker offers a free plan for up to 25 transactions. This includes portfolio tracking but only a tax preview (no downloadable reports). To generate full tax reports, you need a paid plan starting at $59/year.

How accurate is CoinTracker?

CoinTracker is highly accurate for US tax reporting (Form 8949, Schedule D) and generally reliable for other countries. However, complex DeFi transactions may require manual review. Always verify transactions before filing.

Does CoinTracker report to the IRS?

No. CoinTracker generates tax reports for you to file — it does not automatically report your data to the IRS or any tax authority. You are responsible for filing your own tax returns using CoinTracker's reports.

Can I use CoinTracker with TurboTax?

Yes. CoinTracker offers direct TurboTax integration for US users. You can export your Form 8949 and Schedule D directly into TurboTax Online or TurboTax Desktop with one click.

Does CoinTracker support NFTs?

Yes, but support is basic. CoinTracker tracks NFT purchases and sales via OpenSea integration, but it doesn't offer collection analytics, rarity tracking, or floor price monitoring like dedicated NFT tools.

How does CoinTracker handle DeFi?

CoinTracker handles mainstream DeFi protocols (Uniswap, Aave, Compound) reasonably well via wallet integration. However, it struggles with complex yield farming, LP tokens, and cross-chain bridges — manual editing often required.

Can I switch from Koinly to CoinTracker?

Yes. Export your transaction history from Koinly as CSV files, then import them into CoinTracker. You may need to reconnect exchanges via API for automatic future syncing.

What cost basis methods does CoinTracker support?

CoinTracker supports FIFO, LIFO, HIFO, and Specific Identification. Specific ID (choosing which lots to sell) is only available on Investor plans ($199/year) and higher.

Does CoinTracker work outside the US?

Yes. CoinTracker supports 100+ countries including UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and more. However, the platform is optimized for US users — international reports may be less detailed.

How much does CoinTracker cost for 10,000 transactions?

For 10,000 transactions, you'd need the Pro plan at $999/year (unlimited transactions). This is significantly more expensive than Koinly ($179/year for 10,000 transactions) or TokenTax ($399/year for 10,000 transactions).

Is CoinTracker safe and secure?

Yes. CoinTracker uses read-only API keys (cannot withdraw funds), bank-level 256-bit encryption, and SOC 2 Type II compliance. The company is backed by Coinbase Ventures and has never had a security breach.

Can CoinTracker help if I get audited?

CoinTracker provides detailed audit trails and transaction history, but does not offer dedicated audit defense services. If you're concerned about audits, consider TokenTax which includes audit support and a CPA network.

Final Verdict: Is CoinTracker Worth It?

CoinTracker is worth it if you're an active trader who values portfolio tracking alongside tax reporting. The platform excels at real-time price monitoring, automatic syncing, and US tax accuracy. The mobile app is excellent for checking portfolio values on the go.

However, CoinTracker is significantly more expensive than competitors for high-volume traders. If you have 5,000+ transactions, you're paying $499-$999/year compared to $179-$279/year at Koinly or TokenTax. The premium price is justified if you actively use the portfolio tracking features — but if you only need tax reports once a year, cheaper alternatives deliver similar results.

Recommendation:

• Choose CoinTracker if you have <1,000 transactions and want real-time portfolio monitoring
• Choose Koinly if you need better DeFi support or have 5,000+ transactions
• Choose TokenTax if you want CPA access and audit defense