Curvo Backtest vs. PortfolioMetrics
What's the best Portfolio Backtesting Tool for European Investors?
| PortfolioMetrics | Curvo Backtest | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Version | Unlimited historical data | Unlimited historical data |
| Pricing |
| Only free tier version |
| Market Coverage (EU & UK) | ~8,000 assets | ~400-600 assets |
| Currencies | EUR, GBP, USD, CAD | EUR, GBP, USD |
| Portfolio Comparison |
| Only 1 portfolio from 14 predefined strategies |
| Core Metrics | CAGR, Annual Returns, Standard Deviation, Sharpe Ratio, Max Drawdown | CAGR, Annual Returns, Standard Deviation, Sharpe Ratio, Max Drawdown |
| Advanced Metrics | Sortino, Calmar, Kelly, Volatility Contribution, Risk Decomposition | Not available |
| Best For | European retail investors and professional investors | European retail investors focused on core metrics |
Curvo Backtest vs. PortfolioMetrics
Curvo Backtest became known because it was one of the first backtesting tools targeted at European index investors. It filled a gap at the time, which is why many people still know it today but backtesting was never Curvo's main product, since their business focuses on autopilot investing.
PortfolioMetrics is built as a dedicated backtesting and analysis tool with a broader asset universe, deeper analytics, and more flexibility. Since both tools offer a free tier, here’s what actually differs when you use them.
What the differences mean in practice
Market coverage:
PortfolioMetrics includes far more EU+UK assets (~8,000 vs. ~400–600), which makes it easier to build realistic, region-specific portfolios and explore more complex ideas.
Portfolio comparison:
Both tools let you compare one portfolio against a benchmark for free. Curvo limits you to their 14 predefined portfolios, while PortfolioMetrics lets you pick any ticker. If you need to compare multiple custom portfolios, only PortfolioMetrics supports that.
Metrics & depth:
Curvo covers the fundamentals. PortfolioMetrics includes those plus advanced analytics (Sortino, Calmar, Kelly, risk decomposition, 25+ charts, etc.), which gives you much more insight into why a portfolio behaves the way it does.
Who it’s for:
Curvo is great for beginners who want something simple. PortfolioMetrics is better for investors who want flexibility, more data, and professional-level analysis.
