Before You Start
- Basic understanding of ETFs and your broker’s interface (e.g., Trade Republic, DEGIRO, Scalable Capital)
- Knowledge of your ETF ticker(s)—for example, VWCE (Vanguard FTSE All-World), IWDA (iShares Core MSCI World), CSPX (iShares Core S&P 500)
- Access to your broker’s transaction history (for accurate input)
- Willingness to register at a free portfolio tracking tool (e.g., JustETF, Portfolio Performance, or GetQuin)
Time needed: 30–45 minutes for initial setup; 2–5 minutes per month for updates
What you'll need: Computer or smartphone, broker account, free account at a portfolio tracking tool
Tracking your all-in-one ETF portfolio is essential for understanding your investment growth, rebalancing needs, and whether you’re on track for your goals. Many European investors use globally diversified ETFs such as VWCE, IWDA, or CSPX. But how do you track performance, dividends, and allocations—accurately and for free?
This step-by-step guide shows you how to set up an all-in-one ETF portfolio tracker using free tools available in Europe, explains why each step matters, and highlights common mistakes to avoid. If you’re new to all-in-one ETFs, see our complete guide for Europeans to understand the basics before diving in.
Step 1: Choose Your Portfolio Tracker
What to do: Select a free tool popular and accessible in Europe. Top choices include:
- JustETF (official site): Web-based, supports EUR accounts, easy manual updates
- Portfolio Performance (official site): Powerful, open-source desktop app, best for advanced tracking
- GetQuin (official site): Mobile and web, supports imports from major EU brokers
Why it matters: Each tool offers different features. For example, JustETF makes it simple to track a single ETF like VWCE, while Portfolio Performance provides granular analytics and supports multi-currency portfolios—a must if you invest outside the eurozone.
What can go wrong: Some tools limit free features (e.g., JustETF has a 5-portfolio limit on free plans), and not all support every broker for automatic import. Check compatibility with your broker and preferred devices before investing time in setup.
Pro Tip
If you’re just getting started, JustETF is the easiest for beginners and supports EUR-based tracking out of the box.
Step 2: Gather Your ETF Transaction Data
What to do: Export your ETF purchase records from your broker. For example:
- In Trade Republic: Tap Profile → Tax Documents → Annual Statement, then download your transaction history as PDF or CSV.
- In DEGIRO: Go to Account → Activity → Export and download as CSV.
Make sure to note:
- ETF ticker (e.g., VWCE, IWDA, CSPX)
- ISIN (e.g., IE00BK5BQT80 for VWCE)
- Date of each purchase
- Number of shares/units bought
- Total cost in EUR (including fees)
Why it matters: Accurate tracking depends on correct input. Even a small typo in number of shares or date can skew your performance data.
What can go wrong: Brokers often export data in different formats. Double-check that you’re using the right columns (shares, price, date, ISIN) and always verify your numbers before importing.
Step 3: Set Up Your Portfolio in JustETF
What to do:
- Create a free account at JustETF.
- Click My Portfolio → Create Portfolio.
- Choose Manual Portfolio (not Watchlist).
- Add your ETF(s) by ISIN or ticker (e.g., VWCE or IE00BK5BQT80).
- Enter each transaction: date, number of shares, price per share, total cost in EUR.
Expected outcome: You should now see your first ETF purchase confirmed with a value of approximately your invested amount, e.g., €3,000 for a sample VWCE buy.
Why it matters: Manual entry ensures accuracy, especially if you use multiple brokers or make irregular purchases.
What can go wrong: Forgetting to enter fees or dividends will distort your performance numbers. Always enter the total cost including fees for each transaction.
Pro Tip
Use the ISIN rather than the ticker when adding ETFs—tickers can differ between exchanges, but ISINs are unique across Europe.
Step 4: Automate Portfolio Updates (Optional)
What to do: Some platforms allow you to automate updates:
- With GetQuin: Connect your broker account (supported: Trade Republic, DEGIRO, Scalable Capital). Go to Settings → Connected Accounts → Add Broker and follow the prompts.
- With JustETF: Manual entry only, but you can upload CSV files for bulk updates. Click Portfolio → Import Transactions and follow the template instructions.
- With Portfolio Performance: Import CSV files from your broker or use their Yahoo Finance integration for price updates. Go to File → Import → CSV and map your columns.
Why it matters: Automation saves time and reduces errors, especially if you invest regularly or have multiple ETFs.
What can go wrong: Automatic imports may not capture all transaction details (fees, taxes, currency conversions). Always review imported data and adjust as needed.
Pro Tip
Set a calendar reminder to update your tracker after each ETF purchase or once a month—consistency is key for long-term tracking.
Step 5: Analyse Your Portfolio Performance
What to do:
- In JustETF: Go to your portfolio dashboard. Review performance charts, asset allocation, and annualized returns. Click Performance → Portfolio Performance for detailed stats.
- In Portfolio Performance: Use the Performance tab for time-weighted and money-weighted returns. Drill down by security, date, or currency.
- In GetQuin: The Performance page shows your returns, risk metrics, and even compares against benchmarks like MSCI World.
Example: If you invested €5,000 in VWCE and it’s now worth €5,750, your total return is 15%. JustETF will show this, along with a graph of performance over time.
Why it matters: Visualising your returns helps you stick to your plan and avoid emotional decisions. You’ll also spot if your portfolio drifts from your intended allocation (e.g., if you add IWDA or CSPX alongside VWCE).
What can go wrong: Data lags (especially with price updates on weekends/holidays) can create small discrepancies. Always check the last update date on your platform.
Pro Tip
Compare your results with a simple benchmark—such as the MSCI World index or a savings account—so you understand the value of your ETF strategy over time.
Step 6: Track Dividends and Reinvestments
What to do:
- If your ETF distributes dividends (e.g., CSPX), enter each dividend payout as a separate transaction in your tracker.
- For accumulating ETFs (e.g., VWCE, IWDA), dividends are reinvested automatically—no manual entry needed.
- In JustETF: Use Dividends → Enter New Dividend for each payout.
- In Portfolio Performance: Add a Dividend transaction for the ETF.
Why it matters: Dividends are a key part of total return. Failing to track them means you’ll underestimate your portfolio’s real performance.
What can go wrong: Missing dividend entries or double-counting reinvested dividends can skew your numbers, especially if you switch between distributing and accumulating ETFs.
Pro Tip
Check your broker’s dividend statement each quarter and update your tracker accordingly—this is especially important if you plan to compare against benchmarks or report for tax purposes.
Common Mistakes When Tracking All-in-One ETF Portfolios
- Using the wrong ticker or ISIN: Always verify the ETF matches your broker’s listing to avoid tracking the wrong fund.
- Ignoring fees and taxes: Enter the total cost, not just the purchase price, to reflect your true return.
- Not updating regularly: Outdated data gives a false sense of progress. Update after every transaction or set a fixed monthly review date.
- Mixing currencies: If you invest in USD/GBP-based ETFs, make sure your tracker converts values to EUR, or you’ll misjudge your performance (see our guide on how the strong euro affects portfolios).
- Forgetting about rebalancing: If you add new ETFs or change allocations, update your tracker to match. For differences between VWCE, IWDA, and CSPX, see our detailed comparison.
Next Steps
- Refine your strategy: Review your tracker monthly and adjust your savings plan as needed. If you’re deciding between VWCE and IWDA, read our analysis for young investors.
- Learn more: For a full overview of all-in-one ETF options, visit our parent guide for Europeans.
- Stay disciplined: Consistency in tracking and investing is more important than chasing short-term returns or switching tools frequently.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.