Make the numbers real
before you commit
Calculators to quantify FX drag, spread costs, and broker fees — plus charting tools to inspect real drawdowns. Built for European and non-US investors who want a boring, durable plan.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you sign up through them. This does not affect our reviews or recommendations — we only feature products we genuinely believe are useful for investors. 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.
Quantify the leaks before they compound
Most broker costs aren’t commissions — they’re FX markup, spreads, fixed fees, and cash drag. These calculators make each one visible so you can close it or accept it with clear eyes.
Currency conversion, spreads, and order execution
If you buy USD-denominated exposure from Europe, these are the calculators to run first. FX markup can easily outpace a fund’s TER over a full investing horizon.
Fixed fees, cash drag, and how often to invest
The “right” investing frequency depends on your contribution size and your broker’s fee structure. Run these before locking in a monthly or quarterly schedule.
Rebalancing, share-class tax drag, and bond duration
For investors already past the basics — quantifying rebalancing friction, the acc/dist tax-drag trade-off, and interest rate sensitivity in bond ETFs.
See how ETFs and portfolios actually behave
Use TradingView to look at real drawdowns, sideways years, and trend periods before you commit to a mix. Pair this with the Studies to understand what the charts are telling you.
TradingView — charting, watchlists, and alerts
Web and mobile charts for stocks, ETFs, futures, and crypto. Useful for long-term investors when you focus on trends, drawdowns, and risk — not constant trading. Works in any browser; apps for iOS and Android.
Find and filter the right ETFs
Screener and research tools with a European focus — covering UCITS-eligible funds, domicile filters, and the data points that actually matter for non-US investors.
EU Investor Cost Toolkit — everything in one workbook
An 11-tab Excel workbook with 739 formulas. Compare broker fees, model FX drag, and calculate your true portfolio cost — all in one place, with your own numbers.
What’s in the workbook
Broker cost comparison, FX drag model, spread calculator, cadence break-even, cash drag, rebalancing tracker, and more — built to work with your actual numbers, not generic examples.
739 formulas
EU-focused
Excel / Sheets
What a tool has to pass before it shows up here
Most investing tools increase trading frequency. Every tool listed on QuantRoutine is selected for one job: reduce repeatable leakage and help you implement a boring, durable plan.
No pay-to-play
A tool isn’t listed because it has an affiliate programme. It’s listed because it’s genuinely useful. Affiliate income follows utility — not the other way round.
Transparent pricing
Clear plans, no junk fees, no small-print traps. If you can’t figure out what a tool costs before you sign up, it doesn’t qualify.
Exportable data
Your data is yours. Every tool listed lets you get your information out in a usable format — no lock-in, no hostage portability.
Fewer, better decisions
The test: does this tool help a long-term investor make fewer, better decisions — or does it encourage chasing intraday noise? Only the former qualifies.
Build the plan first, then use the tools
Need the basics first?
Use the Learn path to understand ETFs, diversification, and fees before you run any calculator. Context is what turns a number into a decision.
Want the data behind it?
Use Studies to see how fees, cash drag, rebalancing, and portfolio construction have played out historically. Then the calculator results make sense.
Ready to open an account?
Once you’ve run the numbers, pick a broker that fits your situation — fees, FX workflow, and long-term usability compared side by side.
Next: chart your ETFs before you commit
Run the calculators above, then use TradingView to inspect real drawdowns and sideways periods on the funds you’re considering.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need TradingView or any paid tool to start investing?
No. You can start investing using only your broker’s basic charts and account statements. TradingView helps you inspect history and drawdowns more clearly, but it is optional. The core decisions come from your plan, not from having a paid charting package.
What is the difference between TradingView Free and Pro?
TradingView Free provides core charting with limits: fewer alerts, fewer indicators per chart, and more friction. Pro typically adds more alerts, more indicators per chart, multiple layouts, and a smoother workflow. For long-term ETF investors, Free is usually enough to start, while Pro makes sense if you use TradingView regularly. Read the full breakdown in the TradingView Free vs Pro guide.
Is TradingView useful for long-term ETF investors or only for traders?
TradingView is marketed to traders, but it is also useful for long-term ETF investors. You can inspect maximum drawdowns, sideways periods, and how ETFs behaved through past crashes and recoveries. Used this way, it supports long-term decisions instead of encouraging constant trading.
Can non-US investors use TradingView effectively?
Yes. TradingView is a global platform that lets you chart US ETFs, European listings, major indices, and FX pairs from most regions. Your ability to trade depends on your broker and local regulations, but TradingView is available for research and monitoring regardless of where your brokerage account is held.
Will using more tools automatically make me a better investor?
No. Tools make it easier to see price and return data, but they do not fix poor habits or an unclear plan. If additional tools lead to more frequent trading, they can harm long-term results. The priority is a simple, durable investment plan; tools are there to help you monitor and sanity-check that plan, not replace it.
Where are the calculators?
The calculators are in the Calculators section above. Each calculator also has its own dedicated page under /tools/ that you can bookmark and reference from related guides.
What qualifies a tool to appear on QuantRoutine?
Every tool listed passes four tests: no pay-to-play listing, transparent pricing with no junk fees, exportable data so you’re never locked in, and a genuine benefit for long-term investors making fewer, better decisions — not chasing intraday noise. The list stays short on purpose.
QuantRoutine provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to open an account with any specific broker or subscribe to any tool. Investments can lose value, and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own investment, tax, and legal decisions. Always review each provider’s current terms, fees, and eligibility on their official website before subscribing or acting on any tool information.