Best Free Investment Calculators for India (2026)
SIP, PPF, FD, NPS and Sukanya Samriddhi — the returns maths, side by side, with 2026 rates.
The most useful free investment calculators for Indian investors are the SIP calculator (for equity mutual funds), the PPF calculator (for tax-free debt), and the FD calculator (for capital safety). The key insight most people miss: PPF at 7.1% tax-free beats an FD at 7.5% taxable for anyone in the 30% slab, because the FD's post-tax return is only about 5.25%.
Last updated 17 July 2026 IST · Maintained by SnoopTool, a free online tools website with 165+ browser-based utilities.| Instrument | Typical return | Lock-in | Tax on returns | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPF | 7.1% p.a. | 15 years | Fully exempt (EEE) | Sovereign |
| Bank FD | 6.5–7.5% | Chosen tenure | Slab rate | Very low |
| Equity SIP | 10–12% (long-run) | None (ELSS: 3 yr) | 12.5% LTCG over Rs 1.25L | Market |
| NPS | 9–11% | Until age 60 | 60% tax-free at exit | Market |
| Sukanya Samriddhi | 8.2% p.a. | 21 years | Fully exempt (EEE) | Sovereign |
Why the headline rate is not the return
Comparing 7.1% PPF against 7.5% FD and picking the FD is the single most common Indian investing mistake. PPF interest is fully tax-free. FD interest is added to your income and taxed at your slab.
Run it: in the 30% slab, an FD at 7.5% returns 7.5 × 0.7 = 5.25% post-tax. PPF returns the full 7.1%. The PPF is ahead by nearly two percentage points a year — which, compounded over 15 years on Rs 1.5 lakh annual contributions, is a difference of several lakh rupees. Always compare post-tax to post-tax.
What SIP calculators don't tell you
Every SIP calculator assumes a constant annual return — 12% every year, without fail. Real equity markets don't do that; they deliver −15% one year and +28% the next. The final figure is a reasonable long-run estimate, not a projection you can bank on for a specific date.
Two practical consequences. First, treat the output as a range: run it at 10%, 12% and 14% and plan around the lowest. Second, sequence risk is real — a crash in the year you need the money matters enormously, which is why you shift from equity to debt as a goal approaches, not on the goal date itself.
Tools used in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, PPF or FD?
PPF, for almost anyone paying tax. PPF returns 7.1% completely tax-free (EEE), while FD interest is taxed at your slab — so a 7.5% FD yields only about 5.25% post-tax in the 30% bracket and 6% in the 20% bracket. FD wins only on liquidity: PPF locks money for 15 years with limited partial withdrawals from year 7, whereas an FD can be broken any time for a small penalty.
How much will a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP grow to in 20 years?
At an assumed 12% annual return, a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP for 20 years grows to roughly Rs 99 lakh, from a total investment of Rs 24 lakh — about Rs 75 lakh of that is compounding. At 10% it's about Rs 76 lakh; at 14% about Rs 1.3 crore. Because the spread is so wide, plan against the lower end. Run your own numbers in the SIP calculator.
Is NPS better than PPF?
They do different jobs. NPS has equity exposure so it targets a higher 9–11%, and gives an extra Rs 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) on top of the 80C limit. But NPS locks money until age 60 and forces 40% of the corpus into an annuity, which is taxable as income. PPF is fully tax-free at exit with no annuity requirement. Many investors hold both: PPF as the tax-free debt base, NPS for the extra deduction.
What return should I assume for an equity SIP?
Use 10–12% for long-run equity planning, not the 15%+ some calculators default to. Indian equity indices have delivered roughly 11–12% annualised over multi-decade periods, but with severe drawdowns along the way. Assuming a lower number means you either invest more or reach the goal early — both better outcomes than a shortfall.
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