Does lump sum or dollar-cost averaging perform better?

Historically, lump sum investing outperforms dollar-cost averaging about two-thirds of the time because markets tend to go up over time and deploying capital earlier captures more of that growth. However, DCA reduces the risk of investing a large sum right before a market downturn, which matters a lot psychologically and practically. DCA Captain shows you the historical data for your specific asset so you can make an informed decision rather than relying on a general rule.

What is average cost basis and why does it matter?

Average cost basis is the average price you paid per share or coin across all your purchases. It determines your taxable gain or loss when you sell. If you bought 10 shares at $100 and 10 shares at $120, your average cost basis is $110. DCA Captain tracks your cost basis automatically as you log contributions so you always know your true average purchase price.

Can I track multiple assets or just one?

The live tracker is designed for tracking a single DCA strategy — one asset, one schedule. For tracking a full portfolio across multiple assets and accounts, NorthStar Net Worth or CryptoCompass (for crypto) are better fits. DCA Captain is focused on the strategy comparison and contribution tracking for a single investment.

Is this a one-time purchase or a subscription?

One-time purchase. You pay once, copy the Google Sheet to your Drive, and own it forever. No monthly fees, no account required, no renewal. Your data stays in your Google account.

DCA Captain – Dollar-Cost Averaging Calculator Google Sheets

Q: How does the historical simulation work?

The historical simulation tests your investment strategy against real historical price data for the S&P 500 or Bitcoin. You choose a historical time period and the simulation shows how both lump sum and DCA strategies would have performed during that period — including the impact of crashes, recoveries, and extended bull markets. It's a reality check on projected returns.

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Features You'll Love

You have money to invest. The question is whether to deploy it all at once or spread it out over time. Lump sum investing outperforms dollar-cost averaging about two-thirds of the time historically — but that statistic doesn't account for your risk tolerance, your timeline, or the psychological reality of watching a large investment drop 20% in the first month. DCA Captain runs the actual math so you can make the decision with data, not anxiety.

Stop second-guessing. Run the numbers. Invest.

How It Works

Enter your investment amount, time horizon, and expected return. DCA Captain calculates the projected outcome for both lump sum and dollar-cost averaging strategies side by side. The historical simulation tests your strategy against real S&P 500 or BTC historical data so you can see how each approach would have performed in actual market conditions — including crashes, recoveries, and bull runs.

The live tracker logs your ongoing DCA contributions, tracks your average cost basis, and shows your current gain or loss as you invest. The custom schedule builder lets you model weekly, biweekly, or monthly buy schedules at any amount.

Enter your investment amount, time horizon, and expected return
Compare lump sum vs. DCA projected outcomes side by side
Run the historical simulation against S&P 500 or BTC data
Set your DCA schedule — weekly, biweekly, or monthly
Log contributions in the live tracker and monitor your cost basis over time

Who It's For

DCA Captain is built for investors who want to make the lump sum vs. DCA decision with actual data rather than gut feeling — and then track their ongoing contributions systematically. It's the right fit if you:

Have a lump sum to invest and are deciding whether to deploy it all at once or spread it out
Are already DCA investing and want to track your contributions and average cost basis over time
Want to see how your strategy would have performed against historical market data
Are investing in index funds, ETFs, or crypto and want a strategy comparison tool
Want a one-time tool you own forever rather than a subscription investing app

It's a strategy comparison and contribution tracking tool, not a full portfolio tracker. For tracking all your investment accounts and net worth, use NorthStar Net Worth alongside DCA Captain.

What's Included

Lump Sum vs. DCA Comparison — projected outcomes for both strategies at your investment amount, time horizon, and expected return
Historical Simulation — test your strategy against real S&P 500 or BTC historical data including crashes and recoveries
Live Contribution Tracker — log every DCA purchase with date, amount, and price; auto-calculates average cost basis
Custom Schedule Builder — model weekly, biweekly, or monthly buy schedules at any contribution amount
Cost Basis Dashboard — total invested, average cost per share/coin, current value, and unrealized gain or loss
Strategy Summary — clear side-by-side verdict on lump sum vs. DCA for your specific situation

Instant digital download. After purchase, you'll receive a link to copy the Google Sheet directly to your Google Drive. No software to install, works on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does lump sum or DCA perform better?
Lump sum wins ~2/3 of the time historically. But DCA reduces the risk of buying right before a crash. DCA Captain shows the historical data for your specific asset so you can decide with real numbers.

What is average cost basis?
The average price you paid per share across all purchases — determines your taxable gain when you sell. DCA Captain tracks it automatically as you log contributions.

How does the historical simulation work?
Tests both strategies against real S&P 500 or BTC price data for a period you choose — including crashes, recoveries, and bull runs. A reality check on projected returns.