Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Less guessing. More knowing.

4 ratings
3 reviews
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • March 22, 2026
  • April 12, 2026

Features

Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator screenshot #1 for iPhone
Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator screenshot #2 for iPhone
Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator screenshot #3 for iPhone
Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator screenshot #4 for iPhone
Roby: Rent vs. Buy Calculator screenshot #5 for iPhone
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About

This tool provides detailed financial calculations to help you compare the costs of renting versus buying a home. It uses local housing data and your personal financial inputs to illustrate potential outcomes over time. Generate PDF reports to share your analysis.

Rent vs. Buy cost comparison
Local housing cost integration
Personalized financial input adjustments
Month-by-month break-even timeline
Interactive financial charts
Tax break reality check
PDF report generation
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What's New in Roby

1.0.1

April 12, 2026

Roby now takes your household income and filing status, and uses them to answer the questions a rent-vs-buy calculator actually should. • The Tax Break Reality Check: does the mortgage interest deduction actually lower your tax bill, or does the standard deduction win? • Required income, retirement room, back-end DTI headroom, and a job-loss reserve target tailored to your numbers. • The Glide Path: when a tight payment gets comfortable as income rises. • A second opinion against the stricter 25%-of-take-home rule. Plus 17 premium sections (up from 15).

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In-App Purchases

$2.99

Premium Analysis

Unlock the full Explain It analysis tool.

User reviews

This app blows the other apps out of the water

This app is crazy for all the features! I bought the premium explanation, and I don’t regret it one bit. The reasons this app is so easy to use, is that you just enter your info (I appreciate the privacy guards) and the app does all the rest. I easily can see how my current loan spans across 30 years and I specifically loved that I could share this analysis with my realtor!
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Finally one I can understand

Thanks for putting this in plain English! I had another one that was all in finance terms and if I knew what all of that meant, I wouldn’t need help deciding! This app is great!

First Time Budgeting

As someone who is very young and has struggled with learning about things like the housing economy, this app definitely helps. I immediately noticed how you can enter your location and Roby will tell you the average house and renting costs in your area. It helps give you insight in what to expect.

While a lot of the language feels foreign to me, Roby provides the “Explain It” feature, which helps you decide if you’re making a dumb decision or not. Why wait for weeks to get a reply about if you’re making a good idea or not, if you can just get it in seconds?

If you’re stressed out and trying to navigate your budget with housing or renting, this app is definitely it. The developer has people’s best interest in mind , which makes me more comfortable using this app, knowing it is not just a money grab.

I think one improvement I’d like to see would maybe be a little tutorial/introductory page when you first get the app. Helping to navigate it and understanding what things are and how to exactly work it would be a huge plus, especially for people (like me) who get immediately stressed out with the lack of guidance and direction. Although I understand that that would probably be part of the Explain It feature.

It would be cool if it could add listings in your area, and suggest homes or rentals that fit your budget! Notifications that pop up right when there is a listing so you don’t miss out.

Overall, great app with the best intentions! I highly recommend this app if you are looking to purchase a home or rent something! :)
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Developer apps

FAQ

What is Roby?

Roby is a financial calculator designed to help you compare the costs of renting versus buying a home. It provides detailed, personalized calculations based on local data and your financial inputs, offering insights into your potential financial situation over time.

Is Roby free to use?

Yes, Roby is free to use. The app is available at no cost, and it does not feature advertisements or require a subscription, making it accessible for all users.

Does Roby have ads?

No, Roby is ad-free. The developer has explicitly stated that the app is built for trust and does not contain advertisements, ensuring an uninterrupted user experience.

What kind of financial data does Roby use?

Roby uses local housing costs, tax rates, and insurance data pulled from your zip code, along with national data sources like the Census Bureau and FRED. It also incorporates IRS tax information for accurate modeling.

Can I share my Roby analysis?

Yes, Roby allows you to generate a PDF report of your full analysis. This report can be easily shared with your partner, family, or a financial advisor to discuss your homeownership decisions.

How often is Roby updated?

Roby was last updated on April 12, 2026, with version 1.0.1. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, this indicates active development and maintenance of the application.

What devices does Roby support?

Roby is available for iOS devices, specifically supporting iPhones and iPads. The app is designed to run on these Apple mobile platforms.

Is Roby suitable for younger users?

Roby has an age rating of 17+, suggesting it is intended for adult users. This is likely due to the complex financial concepts and calculations involved in homeownership decisions.