Comparison

FedsRetireWise vs FedFireGuide

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

FedsRetireWise

Features
Read full description

FedsRetireWise is a comprehensive retirement planning tool designed specifically for federal employees. This powerful calculator helps you determine if your current savings strategy will sustain you through retirement by analyzing your unique federal benefits package. Key Features: Calculate your FERS pension based on years of service and salary Estimate Social Security benefits with age-based optimization Model TSP/401(k) withdrawals across different retirement periods Account for temporary expenses like mortgages that end during retirement Simulate your retirement plan against 100+ years of historical market data Analyze annuity purchase options for guaranteed income View detailed year-by-year cash flow projections Adjust for state tax rates based on retirement location The app uses sophisticated Monte Carlo simulations based on actual historical market returns from 1926 onwards to stress-test your retirement plan. See exactly how your savings would have performed across every possible retirement period in history, giving you confidence in your retirement readiness. Whether you're years away from retirement or ready to submit your papers, FedsRetireWise provides the detailed analysis federal employees need to make informed decisions about their financial future. The intuitive interface guides you through entering your information step-by-step, then presents results in clear, actionable visualizations. Perfect for FERS employees, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other federal workers looking to optimize their retirement strategy and ensure financial security throughout their golden years.

About

FedFireGuide

Features
Read full description

FedFireGuide is the essential pay calculator for federal firefighters working under the GS pay scale system. Whether you're a shift firefighter, chief, or inspector, quickly calculate your accurate pay breakdown based on official 2025 GS pay scales. Features: • Accurate pay calculations based on 2025 GS pay scales (GS-3 through GS-12) • Support for all 50+ locality pay areas across the US • COLA adjustments for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands • Firefighter-specific hourly rate calculations (2,756 hour annual basis) • Overtime calculations with proper rate caps • Support for 72, 60, and 56-hour work weeks • Per pay period and annual salary breakdowns • Clean, easy-to-read interface designed specifically for firefighters • All calculations performed locally on your device - no data collection • Dark mode optimized with traditional firefighter colors (red and gold) Perfect for: Shift firefighters working 72-hour weeks Fire chiefs and inspectors Anyone considering a federal firefighter career Current federal employees evaluating promotion opportunities Privacy: FedFireGuide does not collect, store, or transmit any personal information. All calculations are performed locally on your device. Disclaimer: Pay calculations are based on 2025 GS pay scales and should be verified with official sources. This app is provided for informational purposes only. Powered by Stellar Wealth Management - Tax Professionals for Federal Employees.

Screenshots

FedsRetireWise4 screens
FedFireGuide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: FedFireGuide at 15.6 against FedsRetireWise's 17.5. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
FedsRetireWise versus FedFireGuide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFedsRetireWiseFedFireGuide
PriceFreeFree
Update frequency—Monthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.515.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB5 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAnthony Reilly NewellStelmaszek Company Ltd

In-app purchases

None

FedsRetireWise

No in-app purchases

None

FedFireGuide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FedsRetireWise free?
FedsRetireWise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FedFireGuide free?
FedFireGuide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FedsRetireWise or FedFireGuide have ads?
Neither FedsRetireWise nor FedFireGuide shows ads.

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