VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
FactorsToday vs ProjectionLab
Pick FactorsToday if
FactorsToday
Free · Web · API
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want screeners, quant, and stock comparison.
Pick ProjectionLab if
ProjectionLab
Free • From $129/yr · Web
- You want retirement calculator, monte carlo, and capital gains estimator.
- You're newer to investing and want something approachable
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
FactorsToday and ProjectionLab cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including data visualizations, scenario & stress tests, and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. FactorsToday simply does more: 13 categories to ProjectionLab's 7, including screeners, quant, and stock comparison. ProjectionLab counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
FactorsToday
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ProjectionLab
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- FactorsToday
- Free trial
- ProjectionLab7 days
- Broader coverage
- FactorsToday13 vs 7 categories
- API access
- FactorsToday
- Beginner friendly
- ProjectionLab
- Free plan
- Both
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Free | Free • From $129/yr |
Free tier | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | — | 7 days |
Plan limits | — | Pro: included client seats: 10 and Pro: additional client seat price per month usd: 2 |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | No | No |
API access | Yes | No |
Broker sync | No | No |
Integrations | — | JSON import and export, Lunch Money +3 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Analysts and Quants/Developers | Retail Traders, Long-term Investors +1 more |
Categories covered | 13 | 7 |
Regions | — | — |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 3 signals: Latency: Real-time and End of Day, Granularity: EOD and Minute +1 more | — |
Capabilities | 7 signals: Universe builder, Factors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and Size +5 more | Monte Carlo |
| Try it | Visit FactorsToday | Visit ProjectionLab |
Where each one shines
What FactorsToday and ProjectionLab each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What FactorsToday and ProjectionLab each do best.What FactorsToday does best
- Factor dashboards report intraday and multi-period returns, z-scores, pair relationships, correlations, seasonality, and valuations.
- Stock pages use ElasticNet regression with cross-validation to estimate exposures across four nested models.
- Portfolio analysis accepts holdings, compares exposures with a benchmark, and applies user-defined factor-return scenarios.
- Performance attribution applies rolling ordinary-least-squares regressions to uploaded or pasted returns and exports results to Excel.
- The factor builder searches for stocks matching target exposures and displays simulated historical results.
What ProjectionLab does best
- Build long-range personal financial plans around income, expenses, assets, liabilities, family milestones, housing decisions, retirement timing, and financial-independence goals.
- Run Monte Carlo simulations to examine a range of possible outcomes and estimate a plan's chance of success under user-selected assumptions.
- Backtest plans against historical periods and explore the effect of market volatility, black-swan events, different investment strategies, and portfolio blends.
- Review year-by-year projections for net worth, estimated taxes, cash flow, account drawdown, and legacy outcomes.
- Compare what-if scenarios such as changing retirement dates, working part-time, taking time off, buying a home, moving, or adjusting spending and saving.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FactorsToday and ProjectionLab, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FactorsToday and ProjectionLab, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual FundsClosed-End Funds | StocksETFsBondsMutual FundsReal EstateOther |
Experience | IntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | AnalystsQuants/Developers | Retail TradersLong-term InvestorsFinancial Advisors |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Not specified |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Real-timeEnd of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EODMinute | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | REST | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: None600 req/minDocs | Not specified |
Import methods | CSVManual | Manual |
Integrations | Not specified | JSON import and exportLunch MoneyYNABMonarch MoneyPlugin API |
Export formats | CSVExcelJSON | JSON |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builderFactors: Value, Quality, Momentum, Growth, LowVol, and SizeFactor exposurePerformance attributionPortfolio attributionPortfolio factor exposureCorrelation | Monte Carlo |
Vendor & support | FactorsToday (operated by Lukasz R. Tomicki)Country: USSupport: Email | ProjectionLab LLCSupport: Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free“Basic” |
| Entry paid plan | — | $129/yr≈ $10.75/mo“Premium” |
| Top plan | — | $549/yr≈ $45.75/mo“Pro”included client seats: 10 · additional client seat price per month usd: 2 |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between FactorsToday and ProjectionLab?
FactorsToday leans toward screeners, quant, and data visualizations, while ProjectionLab puts more weight on retirement calculator, monte carlo, and backtesting. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do FactorsToday and ProjectionLab cost?
Good news: both FactorsToday and ProjectionLab have free plans, so you can run them side by side and only pay if you hit a wall.
Which is better for beginners: FactorsToday or ProjectionLab?
ProjectionLab is the friendlier place to start; its interface takes less getting used to. Both work fine once you're past the basics.
Does FactorsToday or ProjectionLab have an API?
FactorsToday has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. ProjectionLab doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose FactorsToday or ProjectionLab?
It depends on what you're after. Pick FactorsToday if screeners and quant matter to you; go with ProjectionLab if you'd rather have retirement calculator and monte carlo. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do FactorsToday and ProjectionLab cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. FactorsToday also handles closed-end funds. ProjectionLab adds bonds, real estate, and other on top.
Does FactorsToday or ProjectionLab have real-time data?
FactorsToday offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. ProjectionLab runs on delayed or end-of-day data, which is perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from FactorsToday and ProjectionLab?
FactorsToday exports to CSV and Excel. ProjectionLab is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: FactorsToday or ProjectionLab?
FactorsToday has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; ProjectionLab doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with FactorsToday or ProjectionLab?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.