Why NovaPlanner is the Best Free Alternative to Projection Lab
If you love the visual timeline and advanced planning features of Projection Lab, Boldin (NewRetirement), or cFIREsim, but want a completely free, zero-paywall, and private solution, the NovaPlanner Interactive Planner Studio is engineered for you.
NovaPlanner runs 100% in your browser with instant local persistence (no $108/year subscription required just to save your plan). Our full-screen CAD-style financial drafting studio lets you model multi-account accumulation, safe drawdown, 1,000-run Monte Carlo confidence cones, historical crash shocks (1929, 1966 Stagflation, 2008), drag-and-drop life event pins, and live central bank CPI across 14 currencies—complete with Ctrl+Z undo/redo and 1-click shareable scenario links.
Feature Comparison: NovaPlanner Studio vs. Projection Lab
| Capability | NovaPlanner Studio (100% Free) | Projection Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Save & Persist Your Plan Locally | ||
| Full-Screen CAD Studio & 4-Mode Stage | ||
| 1,000-Iteration Monte Carlo Confidence Cones | ||
| Historical Crash Shocks (1929, 1970s Stagflation, 2008) | ||
| Interactive Drag-and-Drop Milestone Handles + Ctrl+Z Undo | ||
| Live Central Bank CPI Across 14 Global Currencies | ||
1-Click Shareable Scenario Link (?plan=...) & PNG Card |
||
| No Sign-up Wall / Instant Time-to-First-Chart | ||
| Annual Cost | $0 (100% Free) | $108 to $144 / year |
Full-Screen Drafting Studio
Toggle between Net Worth, Cash Flow, Assets vs. Debt, and 1,000-run Monte Carlo modes with a collapsible 56px tool rail and instant Ctrl+Z undo.
Drag-and-Drop Life Milestones
Drag retirement age handles, home purchases, sabbaticals, windfalls, and state pensions directly on the timeline and watch your FI crossover age update live.
Shareable Links & Crash Stress-Tests
Stress-test against 1970s stagflation or 2008 crashes, then generate a 1-click stateless share URL or trajectory snapshot card for Reddit and Bogleheads.