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Best Free Macro Dashboards (2026)

Compare the best free macro dashboards for tracking liquidity, regimes, and economic indicators. From FRED to TradingEconomics—what each offers and their limitations.

Jan Herbst
First published 20 Jan 2026
Last verified 20 Jan 2026
6 min read

What You'll Learn

  • Know the best free macro data sources available
  • Understand the strengths and limitations of each tool
  • Choose the right tool for your macro analysis needs
  • Learn how to combine multiple data sources effectively

You don't need a Bloomberg Terminal to track macro data. Several free (or freemium) tools provide access to economic indicators, market data, and macro analysis.

This guide compares the best options and helps you choose the right tool for your needs.

Quick Comparison

ToolBest ForCostKey Limitation
FREDRaw economic dataFreeNo visualization, manual analysis
TradingViewCharting all marketsFreemiumLimited macro overlays
TradingEconomicsGlobal indicatorsFreemiumLimited free tier
KoyfinEquity + macro combinedFreemiumNot macro-focused
MacroMicroAsia-focused macroFreemiumLimited US data
VantMacroRegime analysisPaid (affordable)US-focused, no equities

FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)

Best for: Researchers, economists, serious DIY analysts

What It Offers

  • 400,000+ time series — Everything from Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) to obscure regional data
  • Completely free — No account needed for basic use
  • Excel/API access — Download or integrate directly
  • Custom charts — Basic visualization included

Strengths

  1. Authoritative source — Direct from the Fed; no intermediary
  2. Comprehensive — Every FRED series we've discussed (M2SL, WALCL, WDTGAL, etc.)
  3. Free API — Build your own dashboards
  4. Historical depth — Decades of data

Limitations

  1. No analysis — Raw data only; you interpret
  2. Basic visualization — Functional but not insightful
  3. No regime classification — You build this yourself
  4. Steep learning curve — Knowing which series to use takes time

Best Use Case

Use FRED for:

  • Downloading specific series for custom analysis
  • Verifying data from other sources
  • Academic or research work
  • Building your own models

Visit FRED →


TradingView

Best for: Chartists who want macro overlays on price action

What It Offers

  • Charting platform — Industry-leading tools
  • Some economic data — Limited FRED integration
  • Community scripts — User-created indicators
  • All asset classes — Equities, crypto, FX, commodities

Strengths

  1. Excellent charting — Best-in-class technical tools
  2. Multi-asset — One platform for everything
  3. Free tier available — Limited but usable
  4. Mobile app — Trade-ready

Limitations

  1. Not macro-focused — Economic data is secondary
  2. No regime analysis — Just data overlays
  3. Free tier restrictions — Limited indicators, ads
  4. Learning curve — Powerful but complex

Best Use Case

Use TradingView for:

  • Overlaying M2 or Fed balance sheet on price charts
  • Technical analysis with macro context
  • Multi-asset portfolio tracking

Visit TradingView →


TradingEconomics

Best for: Global macro watchers, emerging market-focused investors

What It Offers

  • 196 countries covered — Comprehensive global data
  • 20 million+ indicators — GDP, inflation, rates, etc.
  • Calendar view — Upcoming releases
  • API available — For premium tiers

Strengths

  1. Global coverage — Emerging markets particularly strong
  2. Economic calendar — Know what's releasing when
  3. Clean interface — Easy navigation
  4. Free tier — Basic access included

Limitations

  1. Limited free tier — Many features paywalled
  2. No regime analysis — Data only
  3. Less US depth — FRED is better for US specifics
  4. No liquidity tracking — Manual calculation needed

Best Use Case

Use TradingEconomics for:

  • Global GDP, inflation, rates comparison
  • Emerging market data
  • Economic release calendars

Visit TradingEconomics →


Koyfin

Best for: Equity investors who want macro context

What It Offers

  • Equity screeners — Fundamentals and valuations
  • Macro data — Basic economic indicators
  • Portfolio tools — Tracking and analysis
  • Earnings calendars — Corporate events

Strengths

  1. Clean design — Modern, intuitive interface
  2. Equity + macro — Combines both in one platform
  3. Free tier — Generous for equities
  4. Sector analysis — Industry breakdowns

Limitations

  1. Not macro-first — Primarily an equity tool
  2. Limited liquidity data — No net liquidity, Real M2
  3. No regime classification — Just raw data
  4. US/developed focus — Weaker emerging market coverage

Best Use Case

Use Koyfin for:

  • Equity screening with macro awareness
  • Sector and industry analysis
  • Portfolio tracking

Visit Koyfin →


MacroMicro

Best for: Taiwan/Asia-focused investors, visual learners

What It Offers

  • Pre-built dashboards — Curated macro themes
  • Visual storytelling — Charts with context
  • Asia focus — Taiwan, China, ASEAN
  • Some US data — Major indicators

Strengths

  1. Pre-built analysis — Not just data dumps
  2. Visual design — Infographic style
  3. Asia expertise — Best for regional focus
  4. Educational — Explains concepts

Limitations

  1. Asia-centric — US/Europe secondary
  2. Limited customization — Pre-built themes only
  3. Language — Some content in Traditional Chinese
  4. No regime engine — Thematic, not systematic

Best Use Case

Use MacroMicro for:

  • Asia/Taiwan focused investors
  • Visual learners who want context
  • Macro themes rather than raw data

Visit MacroMicro →


VantMacro

How it differs from free tools:

What VantMacro Adds

FeatureFree ToolsVantMacro
Raw economic data✅ (curated)
Regime classification✅ (7-state model)
Pre-calculated liquidity✅ (Net Liquidity, Real M2)
Global central bank composite
Fear & Greed IndexPartial
Educational contentMinimal✅ (Knowledge Hub)
Backtested regimes✅ (427 transitions)

When VantMacro Makes Sense

Use VantMacro if you:

  • Want regime analysis done for you
  • Don't want to calculate Net Liquidity, Real M2 yourself
  • Value educational context
  • Need a focused macro-only tool
  • Can afford modest monthly pricing

When Free Tools Are Enough

Stick with free tools if you:

  • Only need raw data
  • Build your own models
  • Are a researcher or academic
  • Can't justify any subscription cost

Try VantMacro →


The Hybrid Approach

Many macro investors use multiple tools:

ToolPurpose
FREDVerify data, download for custom analysis
TradingViewOverlay macro on price charts
VantMacroPre-built regime analysis, liquidity
TradingEconomicsGlobal calendar, emerging market data

This gives you:

  • Authoritative raw data (FRED)
  • Charting flexibility (TradingView)
  • Pre-built analysis (VantMacro)
  • Global coverage (TradingEconomics)

Summary

If you need...UseCost
Raw US economic dataFREDFree
Charts + macro overlaysTradingViewFreemium
Global indicators + calendarTradingEconomicsFreemium
Equity + macro combinedKoyfinFreemium
Asia-focused macroMacroMicroFreemium
Regime analysis + liquidityVantMacroPaid

Data Sources

  • Public vendor websites and documentation for each tool listed (features, coverage, and pricing change over time).
  • Public macro data sources referenced by the tools themselves (e.g., FRED for U.S. economic series).

Methodology

  • Selects widely used, accessible tools that cover distinct macro workflows: raw data, charting, calendars, and curated dashboards.
  • Evaluates each option on practical usability (time-to-value, cost, coverage) rather than on “maximum possible data breadth”.

Limitations

  • Free tiers, paywalls, and feature sets change frequently; verify current terms directly with each provider.
  • Tool quality depends on your use case (region focus, asset class, need for alerts/export/API); this list is not exhaustive.
  • This is educational content, not financial advice or an endorsement of any specific provider.

Further Reading


Try VantMacro

See what a focused macro regime dashboard offers:

  • Pre-built regime classification
  • Liquidity tracking (Net Liquidity, Real M2, global)
  • Educational Knowledge Hub
  • $19/month pricing

Get Started →

About the Author

Jan Herbst is the founder of VantMacro, an empirically-grounded macro intelligence platform. He specializes in global liquidity analysis, market regime detection, and business cycle tracking.

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Want to understand the data? Read our methodology