Top 5 Retirement Planning Software for 2025

Planning for retirement has become more complex than ever, with fluctuating economies, rising inflation, and evolving financial landscapes. In 2025, having access to reliable retirement planning software isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for building a secure financial future. These tools simplify the process, offering everything from real-time investment tracking to detailed financial simulations, all tailored to your goals.

With countless tools available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. That's why we've analyzed and compared the Top 5 Retirement Planning Software for 2025 to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're a seasoned investor looking for detailed insights or someone who prefers a hands-off approach with automated features, there’s a tool designed for you.

In this guide, we'll break down the key features, pricing, strengths, and weaknesses of each platform, ensuring you have the information needed to align your financial planning with your long-term goals.

Let's dive into the details and explore how each software can empower you to take control of your financial future.

Source: Great Retirement Planning Tools and Software

📚 Table of Contents

• What is Retirement Planning Software?
• 1. Personal Capital
• 2. Empower
• 3. Betterment
• 4. Fidelity Retirement Planner
• 5. Wealthfront
• Feature Comparison: Which Tool Excels Where?
• Pricing Breakdown
• Pros and Cons of Each Tool
• Which Tool is Right for You?
• Final Verdict
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Retirement Planning Software?

Retirement planning software is a financial tool designed to simplify the process of managing savings, investments, and financial goals for life after work. These platforms combine features like budgeting, investment tracking, risk assessment, and financial forecasting to provide a clear roadmap for a secure retirement. Whether you're decades away from retiring or just a few years out, these tools are tailored to meet various financial scenarios and objectives.

Modern retirement software integrates with external financial accounts, offering a centralized view of your financial health. They use advanced algorithms and real-time data to predict future outcomes based on your current habits, income, and investments. Some platforms even offer robo-advisors, providing hands-off portfolio management for individuals who prefer automation over manual intervention.

In short, retirement planning software bridges the gap between financial complexity and actionable insights, empowering users to make informed decisions about their future.

Source: The Complete Retirement Planner

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1. Personal Capital (Newly Empower)

Personal Capital is a robust retirement planning platform known for its comprehensive financial management tools. It’s designed for users who want detailed insights into their finances, combining investment tracking, expense management, and retirement simulation under one dashboard. Its Retirement Planner is particularly notable, allowing users to create detailed financial forecasts based on their income, savings rate, and expected expenses.

The platform integrates with bank accounts, investment portfolios, and retirement accounts, offering users a holistic view of their net worth. Additionally, its Investment Checkup feature helps analyze asset allocation and identify areas for improvement. Personal Capital also prioritizes security, with encrypted data and two-factor authentication to protect sensitive financial information.

Pricing Plans:

• Free Plan: Budgeting and investment tracking tools.
• Wealth Management Plan: 0.89% annual advisory fee for portfolios under $1 million.

Source: Personal Capital Official Website

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2. Empower

Empower is an AI-powered retirement planning platform that combines advanced analytics with user-friendly tools. Designed for individuals who prefer a more automated approach, Empower offers features like portfolio optimization, retirement goal tracking, and personalized investment recommendations. Its standout feature, the Retirement Planner, allows users to simulate various financial scenarios and adjust their strategies accordingly.

The platform seamlessly integrates with bank accounts, investment portfolios, and credit card accounts, offering a real-time view of financial health. Empower also excels in spending analysis, helping users identify unnecessary expenses and reallocate funds towards long-term goals. Its robo-advisory service ensures that investments remain aligned with financial objectives.

Pricing Plans:

• Free Plan: Budgeting and financial tracking tools.
• Managed Portfolio Plan: 0.49%–0.89% annual advisory fee based on portfolio size.

Source: Empower Official Website

3. Betterment

Betterment is a top-rated robo-advisor platform that excels at simplifying retirement savings and investment management. Known for its user-friendly interface and automated strategies, Betterment is ideal for users seeking a hands-off approach to wealth building. The platform offers features such as Retirement Goal Planning, where users can set clear objectives and track progress in real-time.

One of Betterment's standout features is its Tax-Loss Harvesting, designed to minimize tax liabilities and improve net returns. The platform also offers portfolio rebalancing, ensuring that users' investments remain aligned with their risk tolerance and financial goals. Betterment's financial planning tools provide accurate projections, helping users visualize their retirement readiness and make informed decisions.

Pricing Plans:

• Digital Plan: 0.25% annual advisory fee – Automated investing tools.
• Premium Plan: 0.40% annual advisory fee – Access to human financial advisors.

Source: Betterment Official Website

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4. Fidelity Retirement Planner

Fidelity Retirement Planner is a comprehensive platform offering a blend of self-directed tools and professional advisory services. Backed by Fidelity's longstanding reputation in the financial industry, this planner is designed for users who want a mix of autonomy and expert guidance. The platform features tools like the Retirement Income Calculator, which helps users estimate their monthly income post-retirement based on savings and expected expenses.

Fidelity’s platform seamlessly integrates with investment accounts, providing users with real-time updates on their portfolios. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Fidelity’s self-directed tools offer powerful analytics, while the advisor-led plans provide personalized financial strategies. The platform also excels at analyzing potential financial shortfalls and recommending corrective measures.

Pricing Plans:

• Self-Directed Plan: Free – DIY investment tools.
• Managed Plan: 0.35%–0.50% annual advisory fee – Professional financial management.

Source: Fidelity Retirement Planning

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5. Wealthfront

Wealthfront is an innovative robo-advisor platform offering fully automated retirement planning and portfolio management. Known for its sleek interface and AI-driven recommendations, Wealthfront caters to users who value automation and efficiency in their financial planning. Its flagship tool, the Path Financial Planning Tool, provides highly detailed simulations to predict retirement readiness based on current savings, income, and expenses.

Wealthfront also incorporates Tax-Loss Harvesting into its investment strategy, ensuring users can minimize their tax exposure while maximizing returns. The platform offers customizable portfolios, allowing users to align their investments with their long-term financial goals. For those looking to optimize idle cash, Wealthfront also provides a high-yield savings account with no management fees.

Pricing Plans:

• Digital Plan: 0.25% annual advisory fee – Automated portfolio management.
• Cash Account: No fees – High-yield savings account.

Source: Wealthfront Official Website

Feature Comparison: Which Tool Excels Where?

When comparing the Top 5 Retirement Planning Software for 2025, it becomes clear that each platform caters to specific needs. Personal Capital excels in offering a comprehensive financial dashboard and advanced retirement simulation tools, making it ideal for users who want granular control over their finances. On the other hand, Empower focuses on automation, using AI to provide personalized financial insights and portfolio management.

For users who prefer a hands-off investing approach, Betterment and Wealthfront emerge as strong contenders. Both platforms use robo-advisors to optimize portfolios while minimizing tax liabilities through advanced tax-loss harvesting strategies. Meanwhile, Fidelity Retirement Planner balances self-directed investing with professional financial advisory services, offering flexibility for a wide range of users.

Whether you’re seeking in-depth analytics, automated investment management, or a hybrid approach, each platform offers unique strengths. Understanding these distinctions can help you select the software that aligns best with your retirement goals.

Source: Product Review: Top Retirement Planning Software for 2025

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Pricing Breakdown

Pricing is a significant consideration when choosing retirement planning software. Each of the top five platforms offers different pricing models based on features and services provided. Personal Capital offers free financial tools but charges an annual advisory fee of 0.89% for wealth management. Similarly, Empower follows a tiered pricing model with fees ranging between 0.49% and 0.89%.

For users focused on cost-effectiveness, Betterment and Wealthfront are excellent choices, both offering a digital plan at 0.25% annually. Betterment also has a premium option at 0.40% for access to human financial advisors. Lastly, Fidelity Retirement Planner offers free self-directed plans while managed accounts have advisory fees between 0.35% and 0.50%.

Pricing Summary:

• Personal Capital: Free tools, 0.89% advisory fee.
• Empower: Free tools, 0.49%–0.89% advisory fee.
• Betterment: 0.25%–0.40% annual fee.
• Wealthfront: 0.25% annual fee.
• Fidelity: Free for self-directed, 0.35%–0.50% for managed accounts.

Understanding these pricing models ensures you get the best value for your investment in retirement planning.

Source: The Best Retirement Planning Tools and Calculators for 2025

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Pros and Cons of Each Tool

Each retirement planning software has its strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different audiences. Personal Capital shines with its robust investment tracking tools and advanced analytics but comes with higher advisory fees. Empower simplifies the planning process with AI-driven automation but lacks some of the granular control offered by Personal Capital.

Betterment and Wealthfront are top choices for users who value automation and minimal fees. Betterment offers access to human advisors in its premium plan, while Wealthfront stands out with its detailed financial simulations. On the other hand, Fidelity Retirement Planner is perfect for users seeking flexibility, offering both DIY tools and professional advisory services.

Choosing the right tool ultimately depends on your priorities—whether it's advanced analytics, automation, or a hybrid approach. Each platform brings something unique to the table, making them valuable assets in your retirement planning journey.

Source: 7 Best Retirement Calculators (#1 is Free)

Which Tool is Right for You?

Choosing the right retirement planning software depends on your financial goals, level of expertise, and preferred approach to managing your savings. If you value in-depth analytics and want granular control over your finances, Personal Capital is the ideal choice. Its robust tools for investment tracking and retirement simulations make it perfect for experienced investors.

For individuals who prefer a hands-off, AI-driven approach, Empower offers an intuitive platform with automated financial management. Meanwhile, Betterment and Wealthfront excel at robo-advisory services and tax optimization, making them suitable for users who prioritize low fees and seamless automation.

If you're looking for a hybrid approach with access to professional advisors alongside self-management tools, Fidelity Retirement Planner offers unmatched flexibility. Each platform caters to specific needs, and identifying your priorities—whether it’s detailed financial reports, minimal fees, or expert support—will guide you toward the best choice.

Source: 7 Best Retirement Planning Tools—Our Top Picks

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Final Verdict

Retirement planning has evolved significantly, and the tools available in 2025 are more advanced and accessible than ever before. After comparing the Top 5 Retirement Planning Software, it’s clear that each platform brings unique strengths to the table.

Personal Capital excels for users seeking in-depth investment analytics and detailed retirement simulations. Empower stands out with its AI-powered automation and simplified financial insights. Betterment and Wealthfront shine in their cost-effectiveness and automated portfolio management, while Fidelity Retirement Planner bridges the gap between DIY investing and professional advisory services.

Ultimately, the best tool depends on your financial habits, goals, and desired level of control. Whether you're a meticulous planner or someone who prefers to automate your retirement savings, one of these tools will fit your needs perfectly.

Source: Top Wealth Management Software Providers in 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which retirement planning software is best for beginners?
For beginners, Betterment and Wealthfront are ideal choices due to their user-friendly interfaces and automated portfolio management.

2. Are these platforms secure for managing sensitive financial data?
Yes, platforms like Personal Capital, Empower, and Fidelity prioritize encryption and two-factor authentication to protect user data.

3. Which tool is most affordable?
Wealthfront and Betterment offer competitive pricing at a 0.25% annual advisory fee, making them cost-effective options.

4. Can I switch between free and premium plans?
Yes, most platforms, including Empower and Fidelity, allow users to switch between plans based on their financial needs.

5. Do these tools offer professional financial advice?
Platforms like Betterment (Premium Plan) and Fidelity offer access to professional advisors for personalized financial guidance.

Source: The Best Retirement Planning Apps