Portfolio Tracker

How to get a free Finnhub API key

A two-minute walkthrough for creating a free Finnhub key and connecting it to Portfolio Tracker for live stock quotes.

Last reviewed 2026-09-17

Portfolio Tracker doesn't run its own price service. Instead, you connect a free key from a market-data provider, so price requests go straight from your browser to the provider under your own account. Finnhub is the main source of live quotes in the app.

What the key is used for

Only the ticker symbol and your key are sent to Finnhub. Your quantities, costs and transactions are never included in the request.

You'll want an Alpha Vantage key too. Finnhub's free plan doesn't include price history, so the charts need a free Alpha Vantage key. Setting up both takes about five minutes.

Create your key

  1. Go to finnhub.io/register and sign up with your email address. The free plan does not ask for a card.
  2. Open the confirmation email Finnhub sends you and verify your address.
  3. Sign in and open your dashboard. Your API key is shown near the top of the page.
  4. Copy the key. It is a string of letters and numbers of about 20 characters or more.

Connect it to Portfolio Tracker

  1. Open Portfolio Tracker. The first time you open it, a Connect market data window appears. If you skipped it, go to Settings → Advanced → API Keys.
  2. Paste the key into the Finnhub API key box.
  3. Click Test Keys. You should see 1/1 passed, or 2/2 passed if you also added an Alpha Vantage key.
  4. Click Save. Prices refresh straight away.

Using more than one browser? Click Save keys to file… to keep a small file with your keys, then use Load keys from file… in the other browser. Keep that file private — don't put it in a shared folder. Your portfolio backups never contain your keys.

Free plan limits

At the time of writing, Finnhub's free plan allows about 60 requests per minute. That is plenty for a personal portfolio: the app requests one quote per holding when it refreshes.

Finnhub's free plan is for personal, non-commercial use. When you create a key, you accept Finnhub's terms under your own account. That is why each person uses their own key rather than a shared one.

Troubleshooting

What you seeLikely cause
Test shows 0/1 passedThe key was copied incompletely, or your email isn't verified yet. Copy it again from the dashboard.
Some symbols have no priceThe free plan covers US-listed stocks and ETFs. Some funds and non-US listings aren't included; add an Alpha Vantage key as a backup.
Prices stop updating after many refreshesYou hit the per-minute limit. Wait a minute and refresh again.

Keeping your key safe

Your key is stored only in your browser on your device. Portfolio Tracker sends it only to Finnhub. Treat it like a password: don't post it online or share it with others, because anyone who has it can use your quota. If you think it has been exposed, replace it through your Finnhub account and paste the new one into the app.

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