retirement planning software comparison
A ProjectionLab alternative for comparing retirement scenarios
Meridary offers a guided way to explore when retirement may be possible and how saving or spending differently changes the estimate. Moving from ProjectionLab means checking which parts of your plan Meridary can represent.
By Steven, Founder · Updated October 14, 2026
Short answer
- ProjectionLab is the better home for complex timelines, international presets, and extensive optimization.
- Meridary compares savings, spending, and retirement-age scenarios within its published U.S. model limits.
- Moving tools requires rebuilding the plan manually; there is no automatic import.
What ProjectionLab already gives you
ProjectionLab Basic includes free forecasting, Monte Carlo simulations, historical backtesting, and flexible modeling. Premium adds cash-flow projections, tax optimization, withdrawal strategies, estate planning, comparisons, Roth conversions, ACA analysis, reports, and multiple plans for $129 per year.
Why someone might choose a guided alternative
Meridary replaces a flexible modeling canvas with a defined sequence of household, account, income, spending, and assumption inputs. Buyers can use the $12-per-month option or purchase a founding lifetime license for $149–$199.
Use those inputs to compare retirement scenarios and inspect how assumptions change the estimated outlook. Meridary is not an equivalent substitute for ProjectionLab's international support, estate features, or coordinated optimization tools.
What you give up by moving
You lose ProjectionLab's free Basic workspace, open-ended milestones, broader tax strategies, estate modeling, international presets, and deeper scenario controls. You also have to recreate the supported parts of the plan because Meridary does not import ProjectionLab data.
When Meridary fits the retirement question
Consider Meridary when you want to compare how retirement timing changes under different savings and spending assumptions. It supports up to two wage earners and one Social Security benefit, federal tax, a flat state rate, RMDs, Roth conversions, IRMAA, ACA premiums, and uncertain returns. Results are educational scenario estimates, not financial advice or guarantees. ProjectionLab details reflect the cited source access dates.
Meridary vs ProjectionLab, at a glance
| Feature | Meridary | ProjectionLab |
|---|---|---|
| Current subscription | $12/month optional | Premium $129/year |
| Non-subscription choice | $149–$199 founding lifetime license | Free Basic tier; homepage mentions lifetime pricing, but the pricing page does not show its price |
| Migration | Re-enter supported data manually | Existing plan remains in ProjectionLab |
| Complexity retained | Savings, spending, and retirement-age scenarios within U.S. model scope | Flexible milestones, scenarios, and strategies |
| Major capability lost | No international or estate model | International and estate features listed |
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Frequently asked
- Can Meridary import my ProjectionLab plan?
- No. There is no plan importer. You would recreate only the household, account, income, spending, and assumption data that Meridary supports.
- Does ProjectionLab have a free plan?
- Yes. Its current pricing page lists Basic at $0 per year with forecasting, planning, Monte Carlo, historical backtesting, and flexible modeling.
Read next
Methodology
See how Meridary checks calculator figures, tests the planning engine, states model limits, and records corrections on the validation methodology page.
Sources
- Pricing & subscriptions — ProjectionLab
Current ProjectionLab Basic, Premium, and Pro pricing and features.
Accessed October 14, 2026
- Financial and retirement planning tools — ProjectionLab
Current planning, tax, scenario, Monte Carlo, and optimization capabilities.
Accessed October 14, 2026
This is an educational estimate, not tax or financial advice. Figures reflect the law year shown and the inputs you provide. Consult a qualified professional before acting.