Compare Your Options
Side-by-side comparisons of common investment and loan decisions. Use our calculators to check the math for your own assumptions.
Comparison Guides
SIP vs SWP vs Lumpsum
The complete lifecycle of mutual fund strategies on one dashboard.
SIP vs Lump Sum
The definitive guide on market timing vs consistency.
Prepayment vs Investing
Should you kill debt or build wealth? The math revealed.
SIP vs FD
Safety vs Growth: A post-tax survival guide.
EMI vs SIP
Extra cash: Debt reduction or parallel wealth building?
Lump Sum vs FD vs SIP
The three-way wealth race for the Indian investor.
Real Estate vs Mutual Funds
Asset class showdown: Bricks vs Digital compounding.
PPF vs SIP
Sovereign safety vs Market returns. EEE tax analysis.
EMI vs Rent
Shelter Logistics: Should you own the brick or lease the lifestyle?
SWP vs FD
The decumulation race: Tax-efficient retirement income.
Side-by-Side Calculator
Turn Your Comparison into a Plan
Once you have compared your options, build a step-by-step plan for retirement, goals, or debt reduction.
eCalcy Note: Diversifying Instead of Choosing
Instead of choosing entirely between "Safe" (FD) or "Risky" (SIP), many planners combine both. A common example is a 60:40 equity-to-debt split, which can lower portfolio volatility compared to a 100% equity approach. Exact outcomes depend on your time horizon, fees, and the return assumptions you enter — run your own scenario in the calculators below.
Calculator methodology
Review the displayed assumptions before using the estimate.
The Science Behind the Comparison Tool
Multi-asset analysis tool to compare returns across SIP, FD, PPF, and Gold systematically. Use a consistent currency for all monetary inputs and outputs. Calculations are performed in the application using the inputs you provide; review the displayed assumptions and privacy information before relying on the result.
How the Comparison Tool Works
Comparison Tool uses the inputs shown in the calculator to produce an illustrative estimate. Review the selected rate, contribution or principal, time period, compounding frequency, fees, and tax assumptions before interpreting the result.
The result is a mathematical scenario, not a promise of future performance or a quote from a provider. Changing the assumptions can materially change the outcome, so compare multiple scenarios and use current product, tax, and regulatory information where relevant.
Use this estimate as one input in your planning. For decisions involving significant borrowing, investing, or tax obligations, check the applicable official guidance and consider advice from a qualified professional.
The Mechanics of Modern Compounding
Unlike simple interest, which calculates interest only on the principal, compound interest includes interest accumulated in earlier periods. Over longer time horizons, reinvestment can materially affect the result, but the outcome remains sensitive to the assumed rate, compounding frequency, fees, taxes, and contribution timing.
The Rule of 72
Many planners use the Rule of 72 as a quick shortcut to estimate the doubling time of an investment. By dividing 72 by the expected annual percentage return, one can estimate the number of years required. For instance, at a 12% CAGR, a portfolio would roughly double every six years.
Standard Deviation & Risk
A calculator can produce a fixed result for a given set of inputs, while market returns can vary significantly. Historical averages do not remove short-term volatility or guarantee future performance. Diversification may reduce concentration risk, but it cannot eliminate market losses.
The Psychology of Wealth: Behavioral Discipline
Financial plans depend on both mathematical assumptions and consistent behavior. During volatile periods, reactions such as panic selling, performance chasing, or abandoning a contribution plan can move real outcomes away from an initial projection. Reviewing risk tolerance and maintaining realistic assumptions can make a plan more useful.
Advanced Behavioral Module
Loss Aversion Bias
Loss aversion describes the tendency to react more strongly to losses than to comparable gains. It can contribute to decisions such as selling during a downturn or holding a concentrated position too long. Scenario estimates can support planning, but they do not predict market behavior or remove investment risk.
The Hedonic Treadmill
As income increases, expectations and desires rise in tandem, resulting in no permanent gain in happiness—and often, a decrease in the savings rate. To support long-term financial goals, one must decouple cost of living from income growth.
How Economic Conditions Affect a Projection
Interest rates, inflation, taxes, fees, and market conditions can change during a planning period. A higher borrowing rate can increase debt costs, while changes in inflation or investment returns can alter the purchasing power of a projected outcome. Compare more than one scenario instead of treating a single rate assumption as permanent.
Planning Notes
Asset Allocation: Don't put all eggs in one basket. A 60:40 Equity to Debt ratio is standard for moderate risk appetites.
Rebalancing: Use this tool every 6 months to see if your portfolio needs shifting based on current market rates.
Inflation Adjusted Returns: Always calculate 'Real Returns' (Nominal Rate - Inflation) to see your actual wealth growth.
Example Scenarios
Historical equity returns outpace fixed income consistently over decade-long horizons.
ELSS has a 3-year lock-in vs 15 in PPF, though PPF offers guaranteed, tax-free returns.
Gold is easier to enter/exit, but Real Estate offers rental income and higher long-term leverage.
Inputs Used
- Principal amount or monthly investment
- Interest rate or expected annual return (%)
- Time horizon in months or years
- Optional: fees, contributions, or tax rate
What the Result Shows
- Total projected wealth or payout
- Principal vs. interest breakdown (%)
- Monthly and yearly amortisation view
- Actionable next-step summary
How to Use the Comparison Tool
Enter your own assumptions, review the calculation method, and compare the result with the assumptions that matter for your situation.
- Free to Use
Use the calculator to explore scenarios without a required subscription.
- Privacy-First Execution
Calculations happen in your browser. We never store your financial data.
- Global Scenarios
Built to handle complex step-up investing and international inflation models.
- Transparent Method
Calculations use the inputs and formula described for this tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I use the Comparison Tool?
Start with realistic inputs, review the assumptions and formula, and treat the result as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The most useful scenario is the one that reflects your own time horizon, rate, contribution, and other relevant inputs.
Which investment has the highest risk?
Direct stocks and Sectoral Mutual Funds carry the highest risk but also offer the highest potential returns.
What is the safest investment in India?
Savings backed by the Government, such as PPF, NSC, and RBI Bonds, are considered the safest.
Should I prioritize liquidity or returns?
An ideal portfolio should have 20% liquid cash (FD/Liquid Funds) and 80% growth assets (SIP/Real Estate).
How to compare two mutual funds?
Look at the Expense Ratio, Alpha (Returns vs Index), and Beta (Volatility) compared to the category average.
What is CAGR?
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is the best way to compare returns of assets over different time periods.
Does history repeat in stock markets?
Not exactly, but it often rhymes. Market cycles are inevitable; stay invested through the dips.
Should I invest in Gold?
Gold acts as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical crisis. It should ideally be 5-10% of your portfolio.
Is Real Estate a good investment?
Yes, for long-term wealth and passive income, but it requires high initial capital and has low liquidity.
Calculation Methodology
This calculator applies the formula and assumptions relevant to the selected inputs. Results are estimates: payment timing, compounding frequency, taxes, fees, rounding, and provider-specific rules can affect real-world values.
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