ProjectionLab vs Boldin
DIY retirement planning has evolved beyond simple calculators into sophisticated financial simulation platforms. ProjectionLab and Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) are the two leading tools for self-directed investors who want professional-grade planning without paying advisor fees. Both offer Monte Carlo simulations, tax optimization modeling, and scenario comparisons — but they differ significantly in privacy philosophy, pricing structure, and planning depth. For investors managing their own financial future, choosing the right platform can mean thousands in optimized tax savings and years of planning confidence.
TL;DR — Quick Verdict
ProjectionLab → wins this comparison with a score of 542 vs 507. Privacy-conscious DIY investors who want deep financial simulations without linking accounts. Boldin is better if you need: detailed planners who want account syncing, ai coaching, and the most comprehensive input modeling available.
Quick Facts — ProjectionLab vs Boldin
Categories compared: Monte Carlo & Simulation Depth, Tax Optimization & Roth Modeling, Privacy & Data Security, Ease of Use & Setup, Planning Comprehensiveness, Value for Money. Analysis by the Velocity AI Insights editorial team. Last updated 2026-06-17.
ProjectionLab
Privacy-First Financial Planning Simulator
Basic free (ad-hoc projections, no saving), Premium $109-129/year with unlimited plans and advanced features, Lifetime $1,199 one-time payment. Pro for advisors $549/year.
Best For
Privacy-conscious DIY investors who want deep financial simulations without linking accounts
Strengths
Weaknesses
Boldin
Comprehensive Retirement Planning Platform
Basic free (100+ inputs, limited features), PlannerPlus $144/year with 250+ inputs and full suite, Boldin Advisors $3,200 flat fee for CFP review. 14-day free trial.
Best For
Detailed planners who want account syncing, AI coaching, and the most comprehensive input modeling available
Strengths
Weaknesses
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Scores out of 100 based on capability depth, market feedback, and implementation quality.
542
Total Score
ProjectionLab wins 35 points
507
Total Score
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ProjectionLab scored 542 vs 507 — privacy-conscious diy investors who want deep financial simulations without linking accounts.
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Detailed Analysis
Simulation Engine: ProjectionLab's Mathematical Edge
ProjectionLab runs up to 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations per analysis — providing statistically robust probability distributions for retirement outcomes. But its real differentiator is historical backtesting against actual market data going back to 1871. Instead of just random simulations, you can test your plan against every historical period including the Great Depression, stagflation, dot-com crash, and 2008 financial crisis. This gives a uniquely grounded view of plan resilience. Boldin offers Monte Carlo simulations as well, but with fewer iterations and without the historical backtesting depth. For investors who think in terms of probability and want the mathematical rigor to sleep well at night, ProjectionLab's simulation engine is genuinely superior.
Planning Comprehensiveness: Boldin's 250+ Inputs
Boldin's PlannerPlus allows modeling of 250+ financial variables — significantly more than any competitor. You can model phased retirement (reducing work gradually), self-employment income alongside W-2 earnings, rental properties, complex pension structures, and healthcare costs with ACA subsidy calculations. The platform also handles state-specific tax deductions, IRMAA calculations for Medicare, and sophisticated withdrawal sequencing. ProjectionLab covers the core planning scenarios well with a cleaner interface, but Boldin's depth is unmatched for people with complex financial situations — multiple income streams, real estate portfolios, or phased retirement plans. If your financial life doesn't fit into standard categories, Boldin's granularity matters.
Privacy Philosophy: A Fundamental Divide
This is the most polarizing difference between the platforms. ProjectionLab takes a privacy-absolutist stance — it never asks to connect to bank or brokerage accounts. All data is manually entered and stored locally or in encrypted form. For users who are uncomfortable with Plaid-style account aggregation (which requires sharing bank credentials with a third party), ProjectionLab's approach is a major draw. Boldin integrates with Plaid for automatic account syncing — balances update in real-time without manual entry. This is genuinely convenient (especially for portfolios spread across multiple brokerages), but it means sharing financial credentials with a third-party data aggregator. Neither approach is objectively "better" — it depends entirely on your comfort level with financial data sharing.
Pricing and Long-Term Value
ProjectionLab Premium costs $109-129/year, while Boldin PlannerPlus is $144/year — a $15-35 annual premium for Boldin. But ProjectionLab offers something Boldin doesn't: a $1,199 Lifetime option that eliminates recurring costs forever. For a 30-year planning horizon, the Lifetime option costs $40/year — less than a third of Boldin's annual rate. Both platforms offer free tiers, but they serve different purposes. ProjectionLab's free plan lets you run projections but not save them — useful for quick checks. Boldin's free plan includes 100+ inputs and basic scenario planning — better for evaluating whether the platform fits your needs before upgrading.
Support and Community
Boldin has invested heavily in educational support: live classes, Q&A sessions with financial experts, an active community forum, and an AI-powered digital coach that offers personalized suggestions based on your plan data. For people who want guided support alongside their DIY planning, Boldin's ecosystem is substantially richer. ProjectionLab's community is smaller but highly engaged — the indie-developer ethos (built by a single developer) resonates with the FIRE/Bogleheads crowd. Documentation is thorough, and the developer is notably responsive to feature requests. Boldin also offers an optional $3,200 CFP review for users who want a professional to validate their DIY plan — a unique hybrid offering.
Our Verdict
Based on hands-on analysis across 6 categories by the Velocity AI Insights editorial team.
Choose Boldin if you have a complex financial situation that demands 250+ planning variables, you want automatic account syncing for convenience, or you value community support and educational resources alongside your planning tool. Boldin's comprehensiveness for modeling phased retirement, multiple income streams, real estate portfolios, and healthcare costs is unmatched. The AI coaching and optional CFP review ($3,200) bridge the gap between DIY planning and professional advice.
The verdict: For the majority of DIY retirement planners in 2026, ProjectionLab offers the better combination of simulation depth, privacy, and long-term value. Its Lifetime access option and historical backtesting capabilities give investors both financial and mathematical confidence. But for people with genuinely complex financial lives — multiple properties, phased retirement plans, self-employment income layered with pensions — Boldin's 250+ input model captures nuances that simpler tools miss. Both platforms are excellent; the choice is personal.
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