Skip to content
ENExplore Calculators

Fund Comparison Calculator

Work out fund comparison instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Fund Comparison Calculator

Funds must be compared after costs, since the expense ratio is deducted whatever the market does. A gross return advantage of 0.7 points disappears entirely against a 1.2 point cost disadvantage.

Formula

Net return comparison

Net = gross - expense ratio; compare (1+net)^10 on the same starting amount

Worked example

With the default values below, Fund Comparison Calculator returns Fund A Return After Costs of 10.7000%. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Fund A Gross Returnaccepts 0–100 %
12.5 %
Fund A Expense Ratioaccepts 0–4 %
1.8 %
Fund B Gross Returnaccepts 0–100 %
11.8 %
Fund B Expense Ratioaccepts 0–4 %
0.6 %

Results

Fund A Return After Costs
10.7000%
Fund B Return After Costs
11.2000%
Difference On 1,000,000 Over Ten Years
$127,392.02
Which Wins After Costs
Fund B is ahead after costs

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Net return comparison
  3. 3Fund A Return After Costs= 10.7000
  4. 4Fund B Return After Costs= 11.2000
  5. 5Difference On 1,000,000 Over Ten Years= 127,392.02
  6. 6Which Wins After Costs= Fund B is ahead after costs

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Figures are estimates for planning only. Market returns are not guaranteed, and rates, limits and tax rules change. This is not financial or tax advice — speak to a qualified adviser before acting.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional financial, tax or legal advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Figures are estimates for planning only. Market returns are not guaranteed, and rates, limits and tax rules change. This is not financial or tax advice — speak to a qualified adviser before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a higher-cost fund ever justified?

Only by persistent net-of-fee outperformance, which is rare and hard to identify in advance.

Are expense ratios the only cost?

No. Trading costs, exit loads and, in some markets, distribution charges all reduce what you keep.

Related Calculators

Fund Comparison Calculator | Calcrivo