Compare Investments – SIP, PPF, FD, NPS & More
Compare up to 4 investment instruments side by side. See projected returns, risk levels, tax treatment, lock-in periods, and get our verdict on the best option for your goals.
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Not all investments are equal. A ₹10,000 monthly SIP in equities can grow to ₹50 lakh in 15 years, while the same amount in PPF reaches just ₹32 lakh — a difference of ₹18 lakh. But the PPF corpus is tax-free and guaranteed, while the SIP corpus is subject to market risk and LTCG tax. This tool puts every major Indian investment instrument side by side so you can see the real numbers — returns, risk, tax impact, and lock-in period — before you decide where to put your money.
SIP vs PPF vs FD — Which is Right for You?
| Factor | SIP (Mutual Funds) | PPF | Fixed Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | 10-15% (market-linked) | 7.1% (fixed) | 6.5-8% (fixed) |
| Risk Level | High | Very Low | Very Low |
| Lock-in | None (open-ended) | 15 years | 7 days to 10 yrs |
| Tax on Returns | LTCG 10% over ₹1L/yr | Fully tax-free (EEE) | As per income slab |
| 80C Benefit | No (ELSS only) | Yes (up to ₹1.5L) | Only tax-saver FD (5yr) |
| ₹10K/mo for 15Y | ~₹50.5L | ~₹32.4L | ~₹34.8L (at 7%) |
ELSS vs PPF — Best 80C Tax-Saving Investment
ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme)
Returns: 11-15% (market-linked)
Lock-in: 3 years (shortest among 80C)
Tax: LTCG 10% over ₹1L/year
Risk: High
Min: ₹500/month or ₹500 lumpsum
Best for: Young investors wanting growth + tax saving
PPF (Public Provident Fund)
Returns: 7.1% (government-guaranteed)
Lock-in: 15 years
Tax: Fully exempt (EEE status)
Risk: Very Low
Min: ₹500/year, Max: ₹1.5L/year
Best for: Risk-averse investors wanting guaranteed tax-free returns
Verdict: ELSS for growth (higher returns, shorter lock-in), PPF for guaranteed tax-free savings. A combination of both works best.
NPS vs EPF — Retirement Planning Showdown
NPS Tier I (National Pension System)
Returns: 9-12% (market-linked)
Lock-in: Till age 60
Tax: 60% lumpsum tax-free, 40% annuity taxable
Extra Benefit: Additional ₹50K deduction under 80CCD(1B)
Employer: Optional contribution up to 10% of basic
EPF (Employee Provident Fund)
Returns: 8.25% (EPFO-guaranteed)
Lock-in: Till retirement (partial at 5yr)
Tax: Fully exempt (EEE) if held 5+ years
Employer: Mandatory 3.67% EPF + 8.33% EPS contribution
Best for: Salaried employees — forced retirement savings
How to Use the Investment Comparison Tool
- 1. Select 2-4 instruments from the sidebar you want to compare
- 2. Enter your monthly investment amount (or lumpsum for FD/Gold)
- 3. Choose the investment period using the slider or preset buttons
- 4. View the Growth Chart tab to see corpus progression over time
- 5. Check the Comparison Table for a detailed feature-by-feature analysis
- 6. Read the Verdict tab for our recommendation and scenario-based tips
Key Factors to Compare Before Investing
Historical Returns
Past performance is not guaranteed, but 10+ year track records give a reliable estimate of what to expect.
Risk Profile
Higher returns come with higher risk. Match the instrument to your risk tolerance — not just the return number.
Tax Efficiency
PPF and EPF are fully tax-free (EEE). Equity LTCG over ₹1L is taxed at 10%. FD interest is fully taxable.
Lock-in Period
ELSS has 3yr lock, PPF 15yr, NPS till 60. SIPs are open-ended. Choose based on when you need the money.
Liquidity Needs
FDs can be broken (with penalty), SIPs redeemed anytime. PPF and NPS are locked for long periods.
Expense Ratio & Fees
Mutual funds charge expense ratios (0.5-1.5%). PPF, EPF, and FD have no management fees. Lower fees = higher net returns.
How Investment Comparison Works
In plain words
The comparison tool uses the standard future value formulas for each type of investment. Monthly SIPs use the annuity formula, lump-sum investments use compound interest, and yearly investments like PPF compound annually. The tool uses the mid-point of historical return ranges for each instrument to give realistic projections.
For SIP/ELSS (monthly):
M = P × ((1 + r)^n - 1) / r × (1 + r)
For FD/Gold (lumpsum):
M = P × (1 + r)^n
For PPF (yearly):
Balance accumulates yearly with compounding.
Where:
P = Investment Amount
r = Rate of Return per period
n = Number of periodsA quick example
Compare a ₹10,000 monthly SIP in equity mutual funds vs ₹1.2L yearly PPF investment for 15 years:
Step by step
- 1.SIP Monthly Rate = 12% ÷ 12 = 1% per month
- 2.SIP Total Months = 15 × 12 = 180 months
- 3.SIP Maturity = ₹10,000 × ((1.01)^180 - 1) / 0.01 × 1.01 ≈ ₹50.46 lakhs
- 4.Total SIP Invested = ₹10,000 × 180 = ₹18,00,000
- 5.PPF: Yearly contribution of ₹1.2L at 7.1% for 15 years
- 6.PPF Maturity ≈ ₹32.43 lakhs (using annual compounding)
- 7.Total PPF Invested = ₹1.2L × 15 = ₹18,00,000
So the answer is: SIP Maturity: ~₹50.46L | PPF Maturity: ~₹32.43L | SIP gains by ~₹18L due to higher returns, but PPF offers guaranteed tax-free returns with zero risk.