Comparison

FIRECalc vs Investment Optimization

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

Head to head
About

FIRECalc

This app simulates thousands of market scenarios to provide customized retirement planning. It helps you determine your exact retirement age, safe annual budget, and optimal withdrawal strategy across various assets, factoring in potential government aid.

Highlights
  • Thousands of market simulations
  • Customized retirement runway
  • Smart drawdown strategy
  • Government aid factoring
  • Multi-asset tracking
  • Flexible budget scenarios
Features
Read full description

FIRECalc: The Custom Engine for Financial Independence Are you on track to retire early? Or are you just guessing? Most retirement apps rely on elementary math like the "4% Rule," assuming you will withdraw the exact same amount every year. FIRECalc was designed to customize your retirement runway in a way that other calculators miss by running thousands of market simulations against your specific budget, all with a sleek and easy to use interface. WHY UPGRADE TO PREMIUM? The base app includes powerful features like investment tracking, budget tracking, growth plans, 5 year retirement Burndown optimization, and government aid calculators including Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). But when you upgrade to FIRECalc Premium, you unlock a custom FIRE Burndown Engine that acts as your personal financial pilot: Smart Drawdown Strategy: We don't just tell you if you can retire; we tell you how. Our engine automatically puts your withdrawals in the most effective order (Cash, Roth, 401k, Brokerage, Crypto, HELOC) to minimize taxes and maximize longevity. Prefer your own approach? Switch to Custom and drag accounts into any order you like. Tax-Aware Planning: Every year of your plan is calculated with taxes in mind, so you see what you actually keep, not just what you withdraw. Definitive Answers: Get data-backed answers to your most important questions: What is my exact Retirement Age? What if I work 1 more year, or 1 less? What is my safe Annual Budget? And precisely How Long Will It Last? Unlock Hidden Income: Unlike traditional calculators, we factor in potential Government Aid (like Medicaid and SNAP for all 50 states) during your "gap years," effectively extending your portfolio's life. Just turn on "Include Aid in FIRE?" and FIRECalc plans your withdrawals to keep your income under aid limits. HELOC Strategy: Home equity loan draws don't count as income. When aid is on, FIRECalc can draw from a HELOC to help you stay under Medicaid and SNAP limits without triggering a taxable event. Don't plan to use aid? Turn it off with one tap. Secure Cloud Sync: Your data syncs securely across all your Apple devices via iCloud. Your plan is safe even if you lose your device. KEY FEATURES Multi-Asset Tracking: Full support for 401k, Roth IRA, HSA, Crypto, Metals, and Real Estate. Flexible Scenarios: Test "Lean FIRE" vs "Fat FIRE" budgets instantly. Download FIRECalc today. You may be closer to freedom than you think. NOTE: this app is not intended to impersonate the identity of any government agency. It is not possible to apply for SNAP/EBT Benefits or Medicaid/ACA/Medicare via this app. This app is only intended to give an estimated calculation only based on public information on federal and state websites. Terms of Use: [www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/)

About

Investment Optimization

Read full description

Investment Optimization is a mathematics-driven portfolio analysis platform designed for investors who want deeper insight into their investments. Analyze portfolios using real financial mathematics—not simplified risk scores or opaque assumptions. Measure risk, return, diversification, liquidity, portfolio health, and allocation opportunities through quantitative portfolio analysis and optimization. Some features require a Pro subscription available via in-app purchase (monthly or yearly). FEATURES • Portfolio optimization focused on return enhancement, risk reduction, or balanced allocation objectives • Portfolio variance analysis with decomposition into concentration and cross-asset covariance effects • Correlation-based diversification insights • Beta and linear regression analysis versus benchmarks • Liquidity analytics using price impact methodology • Expected return analysis (nominal and real) • Asset and category exposure tracking • Portfolio risk and return analysis using Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) concepts • Automated Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement generation • Financial statement tracking and accounting analysis tools • Local-first privacy architecture — your portfolio data stays on your device PRIVACY All portfolio data is stored locally on your device for privacy and control. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.optimizationtoolsllc.com/privacy.html DISCLAIMER This app is designed for informational and analytical purposes only and does not provide investment advice.

Screenshots

FIRECalc4 screens
Investment Optimization4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: FIRECalc at every 4 days against Investment Optimization's fortnightly. 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. FIRECalc sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Investment Optimization sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FIRECalc ships an update every 4 days, Investment Optimization fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
FIRECalc versus Investment Optimization: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFIRECalcInvestment Optimization
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTimothy DeGraffOptimization Tools LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FIRECalc

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly Access3 Months trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly Access1 Year trial$79.991 Year
2 purchases

Investment Optimization

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is FIRECalc free?
FIRECalc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Investment Optimization free?
Investment Optimization is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FIRECalc or Investment Optimization have ads?
Neither FIRECalc nor Investment Optimization shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FIRECalc or Investment Optimization?
FIRECalc ships an update every 4 days, and Investment Optimization fortnightly. Most recently, FIRECalc was updated on October 24, 2026 and Investment Optimization on October 25, 2026.

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