Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) means investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule regardless of price. This simulator backtests that strategy: pick an asset, a monthly amount, and a start month, and it shows what you would have invested, what it would be worth today, and your return.

It runs entirely in your browser using public daily price history. Nothing is stored, and no account is needed.

Simulates buying your chosen amount on the first available price of each month from the start month to today. Crypto uses live daily prices; ETF prices are monthly and refreshed at each site update. Past performance does not predict future results. This is not financial advice.

How to read the results

  • Invested is the total cash you would have put in — your monthly amount times the number of months.
  • Value today is what those accumulated units are worth at the latest price.
  • Return is the percentage gain or loss on the money you invested.

The dashed line is your cumulative cash invested; the solid line is the portfolio’s market value. When the solid line is above the dashed line, the plan is ahead.

What DCA does and doesn’t do

DCA removes the pressure of timing the market and smooths your average entry price across high and low periods. It does not guarantee a profit, and in a sustained downtrend you can still be well underwater — the simulator will show you exactly that for past periods.

For the reasoning behind a systematic approach, see our guide on reaching your first $10k and the complete beginner investing setup.

This tool is for education and is not financial advice. Past performance does not predict future results.