Why I built Simulator even after discovering ProjectionLab

I only started sharing Simulator publicly less than a month ago, though some friends have known about it longer. It took me 14 months to build and launch this first prototype, and I’m really eager to hear feedback to see if it’s worth moving forward.

After posting about Simulator on Reddit, a few people mentioned ProjectionLab — a great tool I actually discovered about 3-4 months into building Simulator. At first, I felt a little disappointed: if ProjectionLab already does many of the things I’m working on, why build another?

But after thinking it over, I felt encouraged. The fact that ProjectionLab exists and has found success means there’s definitely a demand for tools like these — which motivated me to keep going.

I gave ProjectionLab several tries. At first, it felt a bit complex, but with a little more patience, I was able to create a financial case successfully.

From the feedback I’ve seen on Reddit, people want tools that are more transparent, simple, and straightforward — and that’s exactly what I aimed for with Simulator: clear calculations, no hidden logic, and full visibility.

Compared to ProjectionLab, Simulator might lack some features that are still in development but offers a transparent approach through features like Timeline and Accounts Map — which some users might find helpful.
I’m also excited about a new “Create with AI” feature, aiming to simplify case creation, addressing some of the initial pain points I experienced.

Both tools focus on personal finance and management, each serving slightly different audiences. I truly appreciate what ProjectionLab has achieved, and it inspired me to keep pushing forward with Simulator.

Thanks for reading!