Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Value for Money: how the analysis works, how much you can save and how we protect your data.
1.What is Value for Money?
Value for Money is an independent cost-analysis service that compares your mutual funds with equivalent ETFs. For each instrument we check how much you are paying in fees and whether a listed product exists that offers the same exposure at a significantly lower cost. We do not sell financial products, we receive no rebates from asset managers and we do not advise on whether an instrument suits your personal situation: our only goal is to tell you, with data in hand, whether you are getting a good value for money.
2.How does the analysis work?
You enter the ISIN codes of your funds and the amounts invested. Each instrument is assessed against three criteria. Transparency first: how clear the KID is, how clear the risks and the strategy are, and whether the fund actually does what it says. Then the cost structure: TER, performance fees and charges that do not appear on the front page. Finally the return net of costs, compared with the benchmark the fund declares and with equivalent ETFs. The outcome is a judgement for each fund and an estimate of what you could save.
3.How much can I save?
It depends on the funds you hold, but the cost gap between mutual funds and ETFs is almost always wide. Active mutual funds often carry a TER between 1.5% and 2.5% per year, while equivalent ETFs range from 0.05% to 0.50%. On a €100,000 portfolio this typically means €1,000-2,000 in fees saved every year. Because costs compound over time, over long horizons (20-30 years) the capital recovered can exceed tens of thousands of euros.
4.Is my data safe?
Yes. All communications are encrypted with SSL/TLS and your data is never shared or sold to third parties. We do not handle banking data: payments are processed entirely by Stripe and we never store card numbers. Portfolio data is kept for 30 days and then automatically deleted; you can also request deletion of your account and related data at any time.
5.Do I have to sell my funds?
No, and we never tell you to. We assess only the value for money of the individual instrument — how much it costs and how much quality it offers — not its suitability for your goals, time horizon or risk tolerance. The decision to keep or replace a fund remains entirely yours, and for choices concerning your overall situation we recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor. Our service is designed to help you put into practice the value-for-money principles set out by the European regulation on investment products.
6.How much does the service cost?
The preliminary analysis, with a concise judgement on each fund and a savings estimate, is included for your first portfolio. From the second portfolio onward advance payment applies. The full report — which indicates the category of replacement ETFs — starts at €150 per portfolio.
7.What does each judgement mean?
Worth it: the fund justifies what it costs. Replaceable: it does not justify what it costs, and an equivalent ETF does the same job for less. Expensive: it does not justify what it costs, but no ETF replicates its exposure. NCA: the fund falls into none of the categories above. Limited info: the available data is not enough to reach a judgement.
8.How often is the analysis updated?
Fund and ETF data is updated monthly. Every analysis carries its processing date and is valid for 30 days. After 30 days the analysis is deleted and is no longer valid: in the meantime costs, performance and composition may have changed, and so may the judgement on individual funds. An expired analysis should not be used to decide.
9.What is the difference between a mutual fund and an ETF?
Both are diversified baskets of securities, but they differ in cost and management style. A mutual fund is often actively managed: a manager picks securities trying to beat the market and therefore charges higher fees. An ETF usually passively tracks an index, trades on an exchange like a stock and has much lower costs. Numerous studies show that, net of costs, most active funds fail to persistently beat their reference index: that is why cost makes the difference.
10.What does the paid report contain?
For each fund in your portfolio the full report shows the category of replacement ETFs, a detailed cost comparison, the estimated annual saving and the projected long-term impact on returns. The report is frozen at the time of purchase and remains available for 30 days.
11.Why are you truly independent?
We have no commercial relationship with asset managers, banks or insurance companies and receive no rebates or incentives from third parties. Our revenue comes solely from the report you buy. This removes conflicts of interest: we have no reason to recommend one product over another except its actual value for money.
Ready to start?
Analyze your portfolio