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Interactive Investment Simulator | Compare Lump Sum vs DCA ROI

Interactive Investment Simulator

Simulate what would have happened if you invested in crypto, stocks, or ETFs on a specific date in the past. Compare lump sum vs DCA strategies and visualize your returns over time with real historical data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use the DCA Calculator ?

  • Select Asset: Choose from a list of supported ETFs, stocks, or cryptocurrencies.
  • Start & End Dates: Pick the period over which you want to invest.
  • DCA Amount: Enter how much you want to invest each interval (e.g., $100).
  • DCA Frequency: Select Weekly, Monthly, or Annually.
  • Click Calculate to see:
    • Total Invested
    • Final Portfolio Value
    • Total Gain
    • Return on Investment (ROI)
    • A performance chart showing portfolio value over time

Why Use Dollar-Cost Averaging?

Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) is a proven strategy that can help investors:

  • Reduce the impact of short-term market volatility by spreading purchases over time.
  • Avoid emotional market timing by sticking to a consistent investment schedule.
  • Potentially lower the average cost per share when markets are choppy.
  • Build disciplined investing habits aligned with long-term goals.

What is Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) vs. Lump Sum?

Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) means investing a fixed amount regularly (daily, weekly, monthly…), which smooths out volatility. A Lump Sum invests your entire amount at once. Our simulator lets you compare both strategies side-by-side.

What extra features are in the Premium version?

Premium unlocks:

  • Up to 4 custom portfolios with independent names
  • Weighted asset allocation (sum must equal 100 %)
  • Auto-rebalancing on your chosen frequency
  • Save & load up to 5 scenarios to compare later
  • Advanced charts (performance %, gains histogram, allocation pie)
  • Export as CSV or PDF/PNG of results and charts

How do I set up multiple portfolios and weights?

In Premium, click “+” to add up to four portfolios. Rename each tab by double-clicking its label. Under each, use “Add Asset” to choose tickers, then enter a percentage weight (total = 100 %).

Can I overlay a benchmark for comparison?

Yes—select any ticker (e.g. SPY, QQQ, BTCUSD) from the “Add Benchmark” dropdown. We’ll run the same DCA or Lump Sum on that benchmark and plot it alongside your portfolios.

How do I save and export my scenarios?

- Save Scenario opens a prompt to name and store up to 5 scenarios in your browser.
- Export CSV downloads a spreadsheet of asset-level results.
- Download Chart or “Export” button lets you grab PDF/PNG of all result cards.

Where does the historical data come from?

We fetch daily close prices from:

  • CoinGecko (crypto)
  • Yahoo Finance (stocks & ETFs)
All data is public and refreshed daily.

Is it free to use?

Yes, the core simulator is 100% free—no account, no subscription. If you want to unlock Premium features (multi-portfolio, auto-rebalance, saves, exports), you can upgrade on our Pricing & Plans page for a one-time fee.

Recommended Reading & Platforms

To deepen your understanding and support your investment journey, consider these top-rated books and a user-friendly platform:

Platform Recommendation: Wealthsimple – An easy-to-use investing platform for Canadians.

Learn More

Curious about how the simulator works? Check out our methodology page.
Or read practical examples on our investment blog.

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