Honest comparison
PeakWorth vs ProjectionLab
ProjectionLab is a power-user simulator. PeakWorth is a guided strategy engine.
The short version
ProjectionLab is the spreadsheet jockey's dream — deep simulation, probabilistic modeling, scenario crafting. PeakWorth covers the same projection territory but adds the layer ProjectionLab leaves to you: a guided decision engine, an AI advisor, and a pre-built Decision Hub for the moves that actually matter.
ProjectionLab is best for
FIRE-community power users who enjoy the modeling itself — building scenarios, tweaking variables, and digging into the math.
Free sandbox tier; Premium $129/yr.
PeakWorth is best for
Households who want the same projection rigor but with an opinionated decision engine — “should we buy or rent,” “is the new job worth it,” “how does this baby change our FI age” — answered without building it themselves.
14-day free trial. Then $9.99/mo Navigator.
Feature by featureHow they compare
| Feature | PeakWorth | ProjectionLab |
|---|---|---|
Multi-decade net worth projection | ||
FI age | ||
Scenario branching | ||
Pre-built Decision Hub | Yes | DIY in the sandbox |
AI advisor on your numbers | Peak plan | |
Account aggregation (Plaid) | Manual entry | |
Built for dual-income households | Generic | |
Time-to-first-projection | ~5 min | 30–60 min setup |
Pricing | $9.99/mo Navigator | $129/yr Premium |
PeakWorth vs ProjectionLab — head to head
Two modern FI planners. ProjectionLab is the configurable power-user tool; PeakWorth is fast, dual-income-first, and includes an AI advisor. Some serious planners use both. Confirm current terms on ProjectionLab's site.
| Feature | PeakWorth | ProjectionLab |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Flat $119.88/yr (~$9.99/mo); free Quick Start, no signup | $108/yr or $228 lifetime |
| Account minimum | $0 — free Quick Start, no signup | $0 — doesn't custody assets |
| Automated portfolio management | No — it's the planning layer, not a custodian | No — planning only, doesn't hold assets |
| Onboarding time | ~2 minutes on sensible defaults | ~30+ minutes of configuration |
| Retirement output type | Dated FI Age — plus a year-by-year projection to age 95 | Modeled FI age (highly configurable) |
| Simulation method | Deterministic year-by-year + stress-test scenarios | Probabilistic (Monte Carlo, historical data) |
| Decision modeling (buy-vs-rent, bonus, debt payoff) | Yes — the Decision Hub scores each decision's dollar-and-year impact | Limited — via hand-built custom scenarios |
| Dual-income household modeling | Yes — first-class (separate incomes, accounts, and goals) | Supported, but configured manually |
| AI advisor | Yes — explains the projection and tradeoffs in plain English | No |
| Data export | Yes — CSV import/export of your data | Yes — data export supported |
The real reasonsWhy people switch
- You want a projection without spending an evening building one.
- You want a pre-built Decision Hub, not a blank canvas.
- You want an AI advisor that knows your real numbers.
- You want bank account sync, not manual data entry.
Context
ProjectionLab is genuinely good at what it does. If you enjoy the modeling itself and want maximum flexibility, it's a strong choice. PeakWorth is for the household that wants the answers, not the construction project.
The two share a worldview — long-horizon projection beats month-to-month tracking — but differ on philosophy. ProjectionLab gives you a powerful canvas. PeakWorth gives you a guided engine with the most common decisions already wired.
See your real FI age in 5 minutes
Free 14-day trial. No credit card needed. Connect your accounts or model by hand.
Run it through PeakWorthFrequently asked
Is PeakWorth as flexible as ProjectionLab?
Not as flexible at the simulation layer — ProjectionLab's sandbox is deeper. But PeakWorth's Decision Hub covers the actual moves most households make, pre-modeled and tax-aware. You get answers faster.
Can I import my ProjectionLab plan?
Not directly — the data models are different. But re-creating your situation in PeakWorth typically takes 5–10 minutes, especially if you connect accounts via Plaid.
How does PeakWorth model market risk?
PeakWorth uses a deterministic year-by-year projection rather than a Monte Carlo simulation. You set the return, inflation, and spending assumptions — and can dial them down (a downturn, a leaner-income year) to see how the plan holds. It's faster to interpret and matches how most financial advisors actually plan.
PeakWorth provides educational projections, not financial advice. We are not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, tax preparer, or attorney. Consult a licensed professional before making major financial decisions. Read full disclosures