FI Calc vs ProjectionLab
FI Calc
ficalc.app
ProjectionLab
projectionlab.comSide by side
| Figure | FI Calc | ProjectionLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $10.75/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Retirement Planning Software | 7.8 (#11) | 9.0 (#3) |
| Integrations | The maker describes CSV export for further analysis in a spreadsheet application of the user's choice. | Direct financial-account linking is not supported; plugins can sync Lunch Money, YNAB and Monarch Money data or run custom automations. |
| Privacy | Calculator inputs are processed in the browser, and saved or shared calculations are encoded in URLs that may be received by the hosting provider, site services, and link recipients. | ProjectionLab says it does not sell planning data or use it for third-party advertising and lets users export or delete their data. |
| Purpose | FI Calc uses historical data to evaluate retirement plans and withdrawal strategies. | ProjectionLab simulates personal financial and retirement scenarios to help users plan their financial future. |
| Support | The maker invites users to contact them by email at [email protected] or on X at @ficalc. | Support is available by email, through the Discord community, and via bookable educational 1-on-1 sessions. |
Plans
ProjectionLab
- BasicFree
- BasicFree
- Premium$129 a year
- Premium$129 a year
- Pro$549 a year
- Pro$549 a year
In their own words
FI Calc
FI Calc is a free web calculator for evaluating retirement plans and withdrawal strategies with historical market data. It runs simulations from annual figures covering 1871 through 2024, compiled from Robert Shiller’s data set, while warning that historical results do not guarantee future performance. Users can model equities, bonds and cash, set rebalancing and changing allocations, and add wages, Social Security or extra withdrawals for future expenses. The calculator provides income projection, savings growth projection, withdrawal planning, Social Security modeling and scenario analysis. Simulations can be exported as CSV files for spreadsheet analysis. Inputs are processed in the browser; saved or shared calculations are encoded in URLs that may reach the hosting provider, services and recipients. Google Analytics may receive page URLs containing saved inputs. FI Calc does not automatically model taxes or required minimum distributions and currently has no Monte Carlo simulations. The free plan costs nothing.
ProjectionLab
ProjectionLab simulates personal financial and retirement scenarios to help users plan for different possible futures. Users can model life milestones, cash flow, estimated taxes, investment strategies, account types, withdrawals and estate outcomes. Monte Carlo simulations and historical backtesting let users explore potential outcomes. The free Basic plan includes forecasting, financial planning, simulations and backtesting. Premium adds tax optimization, Roth conversions, ACA subsidies, capital gains harvesting, international planning and advanced analytics, and costs $129 a year. Pro costs $549 a year and is aimed at financial advisors and coaches, with client management tools and 10 client seats. ProjectionLab does not directly link financial accounts, so users can make plans without supplying account numbers or connecting bank or brokerage accounts. The web app can be installed on mobile devices as a Progressive Web App; the maker says it has no formal mobile app. Support is available by email, Discord and bookable educational sessions.