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Key Takeaways
- CoinTracker is an established and trusted platform, but users report bugs and trouble with transaction classification.
- CoinLedger may be a better fit if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly platform with more affordable pricing, or advanced DeFi transaction handling with fewer manual corrections required.
Summary: Is CoinTracker legit?
Yes, CoinTracker is a legitimate crypto tax software platform. Founded in 2017 by former Google employees Jon Lerner and Chandan Lodha, the company has raised over $100 million in funding from major investors including Accel, Y Combinator, Coinbase Ventures, and Intuit Ventures.
CoinTracker works best if you trade mainly on big-name exchanges like Coinbase or Binance and want your taxes calculated automatically. The platform integrates with 500+ exchanges and wallets and supports over 10,000 cryptocurrencies.
However, CoinTracker has faced criticism for its high prices and its weak error reconciliation tools.Â
For users who prioritize ease of use and comprehensive DeFi support, CoinLedger offers a more beginner-friendly interface with stronger error reconciliation tools and broader DeFi coverage at a lower price point.
What Is CoinTracker?
CoinTracker is a cryptocurrency portfolio tracking and tax reporting platform that automatically calculates your capital gains, losses, and income for tax purposes.Â
CoinTracker is designed for crypto investors who want to simplify tax season and track their holdings year-round. It serves everyone from casual investors with a few transactions to active traders.Â
The platform works by syncing your crypto activity across multiple accounts into one dashboard. It tracks your portfolio value in real-time, calculates cost basis using methods like FIFO, LIFO, and HIFO, and generates the tax forms you need to file with the IRS.
Who is behind CoinTracker?
CoinTracker was founded in 2017 by Jon Lerner and Chandan Lodha, both former Google employees.
CoinTracker’s investors include Coinbase Ventures, Kraken Ventures, Intuit Ventures, General Catalyst, and Y Combinator Continuity.
Is CoinTracker safe to use?Â
Can CoinTracker access my wallet?Â
CoinTracker uses read-only API access to connect to your exchange accounts. This means the platform can view your transaction history but cannot execute trades, withdraw funds, or access your crypto holdings.Â
For exchanges like Coinbase, CoinTracker uses OAuth authentication, which grants read-only access. For other exchanges, you provide API keys with view-only permissions. All API keys are encrypted and securely stored on CoinTracker's servers.
The platform never asks for your private keys or seed phrases. If anyone claiming to be from CoinTracker requests this information, it's a scam.
Is CoinTracker good for data and privacy?Â
CoinTracker stores your transaction data to calculate taxes and track your portfolio. The company uses end-to-end encryption and offers two-factor authentication to protect your account.
Your data is used to generate tax reports and provide portfolio analytics. CoinTracker employees cannot view your API secrets, which are encrypted in their database.
It’s important to note that CoinTracker has faced privacy issues in the past. In 2022 and 2023, CoinTracker’s user email addresses were leaked to the public after data breaches with its third-party providers.Â
Is CoinTracker IRS compliant?Â
CoinTracker generates all the necessary forms for cryptocurrency tax reporting. The platform provides you with forms like Form 8949 (Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets) and Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses).
The software classifies transactions into categories like trades, transfers, income, staking rewards, and airdrops. It calculates your cost basis using standard accounting methods and separates short-term and long-term capital gains.
CoinTracker maintains detailed transaction records that can serve as an audit trail if needed. The platform updates its tax calculation logic to reflect current IRS guidance.
CoinTracker generates the reports and forms, but you still need to import them into tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, or work with a tax professional to file your return.
What exchanges/wallets does CoinTracker support?Â
CoinTracker supports over 500 exchanges and wallets, though not all of them offer direct API integration. Some platforms require CSV file uploads instead of automatic syncing.
CoinTracker supports exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Gemini, and Crypto.com, as well as wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Ledger.Â
CoinTracker’s user interface
CoinTracker's onboarding process is straightforward. You create an account, connect your exchanges and wallets, and start importing your transaction history.Â
CoinTracker’s dashboard displays your portfolio value, recent transactions, and tax liability in one view.
Some users report that CoinTracker struggles with properly categorizing complex DeFi transactions. This means that you’ll need to fix these transactions manually within the app.Â
Users looking for a more beginner-friendly option often choose CoinLedger because it offers better automated error detection and fewer classification issues with DeFi transactions.Â
What is CoinTracker’s pricing?Â
CoinTracker offers a free plan that allows unlimited portfolio tracking but doesn't include tax report downloads. It's useful for monitoring your holdings, but won't help at tax time.
Paid plans start at $59 per year and scale based on transaction volume:
- Base Plan ($59/year): Up to 100 transactions, limited staking support ($25 cap)
- Prime Plan ($199/year): Up to 1,000 transactions, includes tax-loss harvesting
- Ultra Plan ($599/year): Up to 10,000 transactions, priority support
- Ultra+ Plan ($1,999/year): Up to 250,000 transactions, dedicated account manager
CoinTracker has higher pricing than many of its competitors.
Some users complain that the transaction limits feel restrictive. Even users with a moderate amount of DeFi activity may find themselves needing to upgrade to higher tiers.
What customer support does CoinTracker offer?Â
CoinTracker offers email and live chat support, with availability varying by plan tier. Premium support is available 24/7 for Ultra+ subscribers, while lower-tier plans have more limited access.
The platform maintains a Help Center with articles and guides, though some users note it's not as comprehensive as competitors.Â
What is CoinTracker’s reputation?Â
Some CoinTracker customers complain about slow support response times and difficulty getting help with complex tax issues on lower-tier plans.
Other common complaints include bugs with transaction imports, difficulty classifying certain transaction types, and missing cost basis data that requires manual correction. Some customers also report that CSV imports don't work properly with lesser-known exchanges.
Common CoinTracker scamsÂ
Phishing scams are the biggest threat to CoinTracker users. Scammers send emails pretending to be from CoinTracker, asking you to verify your account or update your API keys. These emails often link to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials.
CoinTracker will never ask you for your private keys, seed phrases, or API keys with withdrawal permissions. They will only request read-only access. If someone requests your private keys, it’s a scam.Â
Always verify you're on the official CoinTracker.io website before logging in. Be cautious of fake support accounts on social media claiming to be CoinTracker representatives.
Is CoinTracker legit?
Yes, CoinTracker is a legitimate and well-established crypto tax platform with strong financial backing.Â
The platform has limitations. Some users experience bugs with transaction classification, especially for DeFi transactions. Quality support is only available for customers paying premium prices.Â
For investors seeking the most user-friendly experience with stronger DeFi support and error reconciliation, CoinLedger offers a more streamlined alternative. CoinLedger's interface requires less manual intervention, handles DeFi transactions more accurately, and provides better value at lower price points.Â
If you're ready to simplify your crypto taxes, try CoinLedger for free.
Frequently asked questions
- Is CoinTracker safe?
CoinTracker uses read-only API access, which means it cannot withdraw funds or execute trades on your behalf. However, the company has leaked customer data in the past.
- Does CoinTracker report to the IRS?
CoinTracker is not a broker or exchange, so it doesn't report your transactions to the IRS. You're responsible for filing your own tax returns using the forms CoinTracker generates.
- Is CoinTracker free?
CoinTracker offers a free plan for portfolio tracking, but you need a paid plan to download tax reports. Plans start at $59 per year.
- Is CoinLedger better than CoinTracker?
CoinLedger offers better value with more affordable pricing ($49-$199 vs $59-$1,999), a more intuitive interface, and stronger DeFi support. This makes it easy for users to get accurate tax reports without the need for manual corrections.
- Can CoinTracker handle NFTs and DeFi?
Yes, but DeFi support on lower-tier plans is limited. Users report that complex DeFi transactions often require manual review.
How we reviewed this article
All CoinLedger articles go through a rigorous review process before publication. Learn more about the CoinLedger Editorial Process.

CoinLedger has strict sourcing guidelines for our content. Our content is based on direct interviews with tax experts, guidance from tax agencies, and articles from reputable news outlets.













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