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1 min read Tip, Investing Tools

I Tried Too Many Investing Apps — Here’s What I Actually Use Now

After years of chasing the ‘perfect’ investing app, I cut back to a minimalist setup that improved my results — and my sanity
Split graphic showing app overload on the left and a clean, minimalist investing setup on the right.
From app overload to a simple investing setup that actually works.

PhaetrixAug 12, 2025

After years of switching between tools, I finally found a setup that helps me invest better instead of distracting me.

I’ve bounced between a lot of investing apps over the years.

Schwab for “easy” trading. Personal Capital for tracking. Seeking Alpha for “research.” CNBC for news. A few different portfolio analyzers because each one showed different numbers.

It all looked impressive — but my results? Scattered and unfocused.

The Wake-Up Call

I realized my “smart” tools were doing more harm than good.

Every notification made me second-guess my long-term holds.
Every “rebalancing suggestion” triggered unnecessary trades.
Every “hot stock alert” pulled me away from my core strategy.

They weren’t helping me think better — just react faster.

So I cut them out. Deleted most of them. Started fresh.

What I Actually Use Now

  1. A simple spreadsheet — tracks allocation, nothing else.
  2. My broker’s basic web interface — buy index funds, ignore the rest.
  3. One annual portfolio checkup — literally once per year.

That’s it.

What I Gained by Dropping the Apps

  • Zero daily portfolio anxiety — I check maybe twice a month.
  • Actual conviction in my strategy — no conflicting “advice” every day.
  • Better returns from fewer emotional trades.
  • Free mental bandwidth — for work, family, life.

The Real Test

During the October 2023 correction, my old self would have gotten constant alerts from multiple apps.

I would have panic-researched, stress-traded, and locked in losses.

This time? I didn’t even know it was happening until my quarterly check-in.

My portfolio recovered. My mental health stayed intact.

The Lesson

More apps don’t make you a better investor.
More clarity does.

Build a setup you trust — and cut the rest.

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