Comparison
DCA vs lump sum calculator
Free DCA vs lump sum calculator on S&P 500 history: same total dollars as one lump on day one vs weekly dollar-cost averaging — not a generic article.
What is the quick answer?
Same total dollars into S&P 500: weekly DCA from 2015-01-02 to 2026-09-04 contributed about $305,000 and ended near $587,815. Investing that same capital as a lump sum on day one ended near $675,486. Neither path includes fees or taxes.
| Weekly DCA | Lump sum (same total) | |
|---|---|---|
| Window | 2015-01-02 → 2026-09-04 | 2015-01-02 → 2026-09-04 |
| Cash in | $305,000 | $305,000 |
| Ending value | $587,815 | $675,486 |
Weekly DCA path in detail
2015-01-02 → 2026-09-04
$500/week · Weekly DCA · S&P 500
Contributed$305,000
Ending value (DCA)$587,815
Return+92.7%
Lump sum (same capital)$675,486
Approx. annualized5.8%
Max drawdown54.4%
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Try another habit or asset
Change the amount, start year, or asset — or compare the same cash schedule across gold, Bitcoin, and the S&P 500.
Lump sum on the chart is the same total cash as weekly DCA, invested on day one of the window.
How did we calculate this?
- Window: real market history from our published backtest bundle, typically from 2015 through the latest Friday in the series — we do not invent older decades.
- Contribution calendar: the engine runs on a weekly Friday grid. A “monthly” habit is converted to an equivalent weekly cash rate ((amount × 12) / 52) so the same engine can compare habits.
- Purchase timing: each period’s contribution is applied on that week’s bar in the series (close-based weekly path), not an intraday open fill.
- Assets: S&P 500, Bitcoin, and other series we publish — USD only. No FX conversion.
- Shares: fractional units are assumed. No brokerage commissions, bid–ask, or slippage are modeled.
- Dividends / income: returns follow the wealth path in the backtest bundle for that asset (not a fixed 7–10% toy rate).
- Lump sum (when shown): the same total cash as the DCA habit, invested on day one of the window, then marked to the same path.
Frequently asked questions
- What is DCA vs lump sum?
- Dollar-cost averaging spreads the same total cash across many buys. Lump sum invests that entire amount on day one. This page compares both on the same historical path.
- Which usually wins historically?
- On this window (2015-01-02 → 2026-09-04), lump sum of the same capital ended near $675,486 while weekly blind DCA ended near $587,815. Many academic windows favor lump sum when markets rise; DCA can feel easier psychologically. Neither result is a promise for the next decade.
- Is the lump sum the same number of dollars?
- Yes. Lump sum cash equals weeks × weekly contribution for the DCA habit on this page — invested on the first date, then held.
- Do you model market timing?
- No stock picking. DCA and lump sum on this page are mechanical contribution schedules on the same historical path.
- Where should I start if I have cash today?
- This tool shows history, not advice. Use it to see the spread between habits; pair it with your risk tolerance and time horizon.