Who runs QuantRoutine, and why
Francesco Cipolli · Independent, solo-run
QuantRoutine is written and maintained by one person. No editorial team, no broker ownership, no sponsored placements dressed up as reviews — just fee data checked against official sources and published under my own name.
Why I built this
I started investing in 2017–2018, at 18 years old, as a European retail investor buying UCITS ETFs. What struck me early on was how much money gets lost to broker fees and costs that never show up on a marketing page — spreads, FX conversion, custody fees, the gap between a headline “commission-free” claim and what actually leaves your account.
Generic broker marketing doesn’t fix that. Clear numbers do — real cost scenarios, break-even math, side-by-side comparisons that show what a specific portfolio actually costs at a specific broker. That’s what QuantRoutine is built around. I personally verify every fee on the site against official broker pricing documents before it goes live.
What the site covers
QuantRoutine focuses on European and non-US retail investors, with content organised around four areas:
Fee-verified reviews and side-by-side comparisons across EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland.
Original data on what investing actually costs across brokers, countries, and portfolio sizes.
Break-even and fee-drag calculators built to show the real cost of a specific decision.
Country-specific guidance on UCITS ETF taxation for EU, UK, Canadian, Australian, and Swiss investors.
How the site is funded
QuantRoutine is funded two ways: affiliate commissions from some of the brokers and tools covered on the site, and sales of the EU Investor Cost Toolkit, a paid cost-comparison product sold on Gumroad.
Ratings and verdicts are set independently of affiliate status. A broker with no affiliate relationship is scored under the exact same methodology as one that pays a commission, and is marked clearly as non-affiliate where relevant.
Full details are in the Affiliate Disclosure.
How I work
Every broker on the site is scored against a six-criterion weighted methodology, with every fee checked against the broker’s own official pricing pages rather than third-party summaries. The full breakdown — criteria, weighting, and verification process — is published on the Methodology page.
If you spot an error or a fee that’s changed, the fastest way to reach me is through the Contact page. Corrections get priority.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Who runs QuantRoutine?
QuantRoutine is written and run by Francesco Cipolli. It is a solo project, not a company with a team or editorial board.
Is QuantRoutine independent?
Yes. QuantRoutine is not owned by or affiliated with any broker. Some links are affiliate links, but ratings and verdicts are set independently of affiliate status, and non-affiliate brokers are covered under the same methodology as affiliate ones.
How does QuantRoutine make money?
Through affiliate commissions from some of the brokers and tools covered on the site, and through sales of the EU Investor Cost Toolkit, a paid product sold on Gumroad.
How are brokers reviewed?
Every broker is scored against the same six-criterion weighted methodology, with fees verified directly against official broker pricing documents. The full methodology is published on the Methodology page.
How can I report an error or get in touch?
Use the Contact page. Corrections are welcome and are treated as a priority.
This site provides educational content only, not personalized investment advice. Investments can lose value and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own financial decisions and for confirming the tax and legal rules that apply in your country.