Investment Plan Comparison Calculator

Why a Small Difference in Return Matters

Two plans can look almost the same on paper - one returns 8% a year, the other 12% - and feel like a small gap. But money grows on top of money, so that gap widens every single year. After enough time, the higher-return plan can finish far ahead, not a little ahead.

This tool makes that visible. Give every plan the same starting amount and the same number of years, then change only the yearly return. The bars under the calculator line up each plan’s final value side by side, so you can see the distance between them at a glance.

How to Use It

1. Enter the starting amount and the investment period (these are shared by every plan, which keeps the comparison fair).
2. Name each plan and give it a yearly return. Defaults are Plan 1 and Plan 2 - rename them to anything you like.
3. Add up to 5 plans with the Add a plan button, or remove one to go back to two.
4. Read the headline, the bar chart, and the table to see which plan ends up highest.

The Formula Behind Each Plan

Each plan grows the starting amount by its yearly return, compounded once a year:

$$A = P \left(1 + r\right)^{t}$$

P is the starting amount, r is the yearly return as a decimal, and t is the number of years.

Worked Example

Start with 10,000 for 10 years and compare two returns:

Plan	Yearly return	Final value
Plan 1	8%	21,589.25
Plan 2	12%	31,058.48

Both started with the same 10,000, but the 4% difference in return turns into a gap of about 9,469 after 10 years. The longer the period, the wider that gap grows.

What This Tool Does Not Do

It compares plans as a single lump sum growing at a steady yearly return. It does not add monthly deposits, taxes, fees, or inflation, and a real return is rarely the same every year. Use it to see how returns and time stack up, not as a promise of what any investment will pay. For important decisions, check the actual plan terms and consider professional advice.