Retirement calculators · 2026
The best retirement calculators in 2026, compared
We built Yearfold, so we’re not a neutral referee — but the comparison below is fair, sourced, and dated, and it says plainly when a competitor is the better choice for you. Every price was read from the tool’s own pricing page; last reviewed May 31, 2026.
Editorial review pending — see editorial process
Yearfold is a financial-education tool. It is not a registered investment adviser and does not provide personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are probabilistic projections based on historical data and stated assumptions; they are not guarantees. Methodology
At a glance
| Tool | Free tier | Paid | Monte Carlo | No bank linking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yearfold | Yes | $99/yr or $12/mo (Pro) | Yes | Yes | You |
| Boldin | Yes | $144/yr or $12/mo (PlannerPlus) | Yes | Yes | Compare |
| ProjectionLab | Yes | $129/yr (Premium) · $549/yr (Pro) | Yes | Yes | Compare |
| Empower | Yes | Free tools; advisory from 0.89% of assets (optional) | Yes | — | Compare |
| MaxiFi Planner | No | $109/yr (Standard) · $149/yr (Premium) · $359/yr (Premium Plus) | Yes | Yes | Compare |
Prices change — each comparison page links the source it was verified against.
The tools, honestly
- Yearfold vs Boldin (formerly NewRetirement)Free tier (Basic) · $144/yr
Best for: People who want one tool that aggregates all their accounts automatically and are comfortable linking their bank.
- Yearfold vs ProjectionLabFree tier (Basic, incl. Monte Carlo) · $129/yr
Best for: Detail-oriented DIY planners who want beautiful, flexible scenario modeling and prefer entering data by hand.
- Yearfold vs Empower (formerly Personal Capital)Free — dashboard + Retirement Planner · Free
Best for: People who want a free, automatic dashboard that aggregates every account and tracks net worth in one place.
- Yearfold vs MaxiFi PlannerPaid only · $109/yr
Best for: People who want economics-based 'consumption smoothing' — the academic approach to a stable living standard across your life.
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Frequently asked
What's the best free retirement calculator in 2026?
For a free, rigorous projection, the strongest options are Yearfold (10,000-path Monte Carlo, no signup, models couples and dependents), ProjectionLab's free Basic tier (detailed manual modeling), Boldin's free tier, and Empower's free dashboard (best for account aggregation). Which is 'best' depends on whether you value privacy, depth, or automatic account linking.
Which retirement planners cost money?
MaxiFi has no free tier (from $109/yr). ProjectionLab and Boldin have free tiers but reserve their deepest features for paid plans ($129/yr and $144/yr respectively). Empower's tools are free but lead into a paid advisory service. Yearfold's core projection is free; Pro is $99/yr or $12/mo.
Do I have to link my bank to use a retirement calculator?
No. Empower is built around account linking, and Boldin offers it, but ProjectionLab, MaxiFi, and Yearfold all run on numbers you enter — no bank connection required. Yearfold additionally needs no signup to run.