What an Interactive Brokers portfolio tracker should actually show.
Updated: 5 June 2026
Most portfolio apps can show a balance. That is not the same thing as helping an Interactive Brokers user understand holdings, transactions, fees, FX, cost basis, cash, and performance in a way that can be trusted.
The minimum for serious IBKR tracking
- Holdings by asset and account
- Transaction history with clean grouping and filters
- Fees, dividends, and withholding shown explicitly
- FX conversion visibility instead of hidden normalization
- Cash balances and drift by source
- Cost basis, realized gains, and unrealized gains
Why read-only access matters
An Interactive Brokers portfolio tracker should not need trading authority to do its job. Read-only workflows reduce risk and make it easier for users to trust the product. A portfolio app that only needs visibility should not ask for permissions that allow execution.
Where many apps fall short
Many trackers flatten everything into one cleaned-up dashboard. That can hide the exact reason a number changed. Investors who care about auditability usually want to see the path from source activity to the final portfolio number.
Where BasisTrail fits
BasisTrail is built as a read-only iPhone portfolio tracker for Interactive Brokers users who want holdings, transactions, fees, FX, cash, cost basis, and explainable portfolio changes in one place. It is designed around source traceability rather than generic portfolio storytelling.
FAQ
What should an Interactive Brokers portfolio tracker include?
A serious Interactive Brokers portfolio tracker should include holdings, transactions, fees, FX, cash, cost basis, realized gains, and unrealized gains rather than balances alone.
Why is read-only access important for Interactive Brokers tracking?
Read-only access matters because a portfolio tracker should not need trading authority or brokerage passwords just to inspect holdings and transaction history.