The Growth Ledger
Same money, same plan — invest a lump sum, run an SIP, even withdraw (SWP), and see how it lands in a Bank FD vs Gold vs Silver vs an Equity Mutual Fund
Build the Plan
Opening lump sum today (optional)
How long the money stays invested
Assumed Annual Returns
Long-run ballparks, editable. Equity and metals swing more year to year — these are long-horizon averages, not promises.
Investments & Withdrawals
1/8After this, the corpus keeps growing to the end
Same plan over 20 years: the Equity Mutual Fund finishes 2.4× the Bank FD — a difference of ₹26.50 L.
The Journey, Year by Year
How the same plan diverges over time
Where the Same Money Lands
Final value in each — same plan, different destination
Reading the Ledger
Each asset has a different job — an FD is liquid and stable, gold and silver are hedges, and equity is a long-horizon growth engine. What this shows is the cost of playing it too safe for money you won't need for many years: over long periods, the equity route's compounding — and its single, deferred taxation — usually leaves the disciplined investor with meaningfully more. Short-term goals and emergency money still belong in safer, liquid options.
Illustrative only, month-by-month, using the returns you enter. After-tax view: FD interest taxed each year at your slab (the drag compounds); equity, gold and silver taxed only on redemption — equity LTCG 12.5% above the ₹1.25 lakh yearly exemption, gold & silver 12.5% with no exemption (FY 2025-26). SWP withdrawals are shown pre-tax and redemption tax is applied to the corpus remaining at the end. Surcharge, cess, indexation and staggered redemptions are excluded for simplicity.
Calculator results are for illustration purposes only. Actual returns may vary based on market conditions, fund performance, and other factors. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
FD vs Gold vs Silver vs Mutual Fund — how the same money grows
The same amount invested in a fixed deposit, gold, silver or an equity mutual fund can end up in very different places over a decade, because each behaves differently: FDs give a fixed, taxable return; gold and silver hedge inflation and crises but can stagnate for years; equity funds have the highest long-term potential and the highest volatility. Comparing them side by side, after tax, cuts through the "which asset is best" debates.
This calculator projects the same investment across these asset classes over your chosen period, so you can see the trade-off between certainty and growth. The honest takeaway is usually not that one asset wins, but that each plays a different role — which is the case for holding a diversified mix matched to your goals and horizon.
How this calculator works
- 1Enter the amount, the horizon and an expected return for each asset class.
- 2The calculator projects the maturity value of an FD, gold, silver and an equity mutual fund.
- 3Compare the outcomes, keeping tax and volatility in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better — FD, gold, silver or mutual funds?
They serve different roles rather than one being universally best. FDs offer certainty but low, taxable returns; gold and silver hedge inflation and uncertainty but can be flat for long stretches; equity mutual funds have the highest long-term growth potential with the most volatility. Most portfolios hold a mix matched to goals and horizon.
What role does gold play in a portfolio?
Gold is mainly a diversifier and a hedge — it often holds up or rises when equities fall and helps against inflation and currency weakness. It generates no income and can underperform for years, so it is usually a modest allocation for stability rather than a core growth engine.
Should I compare these returns before or after tax?
After tax, always. FD interest is taxed at your slab, while equity and gold have their own capital-gains rules and holding periods. A pre-tax comparison can flatter the fully-taxed options, so use the after-tax return to compare fairly.
Illustrative only. Returns vary by asset and market conditions and are not guaranteed; consider tax before comparing.
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