Why this matters
ET Money has become the default app for Indians who care about mutual funds, ELSS tax-saving and NPS. FundGenie, born AI-first, attacks the same problem from a different angle — instead of giving you a list of "Genius" funds, it tells you exactly what to do given your salary, EMIs, goals and tax regime.
This guide compares FundGenie vs ET Money on SIPs, NPS, tax tools, AI advice and pricing — using FY 2025-26 numbers.
Quick comparison table
| Feature | FundGenie | ET Money |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | AI financial planner | Mutual funds + NPS + insurance marketplace |
| AI advisor | Yes — goal & salary aware | Limited — fund recommendations only |
| Mutual funds | Direct plans | Direct plans |
| NPS | Tracked + planned | Full NPS account opening |
| Tax planner (Old vs New 2025-26) | Yes — interactive Old vs New | Basic 80C planner |
| SIP calculator | Step-up, lump sum, SWP, inflation | Basic future value |
| EMI calculator | 12 loan types, live rates | Limited |
| Pricing | Free + ₹111/year premium | Free + ET Money Genius paid subscription |
| Best for | Holistic AI-driven planning | NPS opening + ELSS execution |
Detailed comparison
1. SIP and mutual fund planning
ET Money's "Genius" recommends curated portfolios based on risk score. FundGenie goes one level deeper — it considers your monthly cashflow (in-hand salary minus EMIs minus essential expenses) and only then suggests a SIP that won't break in month 3.
If you have a stable 9-to-5 salary, both work. If your income is irregular (freelancer, founder, sales commissions), FundGenie's cashflow-first model is more realistic.
2. NPS — execution vs planning
ET Money wins on execution: you can open an NPS account in-app, link PRAN, contribute monthly. FundGenie does not open NPS accounts but treats NPS as a planning lever — "adding ₹50,000/year to NPS under 80CCD(1B) will save you ₹15,600 tax in the Old regime; should you do it?"
Most Indians don't need a second NPS app — they need someone to tell them whether NPS is even right for them. That's where FundGenie helps.
3. Tax tools under FY 2025-26
The New tax regime is now the default, but for households with home loan interest + HRA + 80C + 80CCD(1B), the Old regime can still win. ET Money's tax planner is basic and 80C-focused. FundGenie's Tax Calculator runs both regimes side by side, factors in in-hand salary, and ties into your SIP plan.
Mid-article CTA: Run your Old vs New tax comparison on FundGenie — most salaried users find a ₹20k–₹60k saving they were missing.
4. Calculators
ET Money has SIP, lump sum and basic tax calculators. FundGenie's calculator set is wider and interlinked:
- SIP Calculator — step-up, lump sum, SWP, inflation-adjusted
- Tax Calculator — Old vs New, in-hand salary
- EMI Calculator — 12 loan types, live bank rates
5. Pricing
ET Money is largely free; "Genius" is a paid subscription (around ₹249/quarter historically). FundGenie premium is ₹111 per year — by some margin the cheapest AI planner in India.
Calculation method: 80C + ELSS savings
Tax saved = 80C investment × marginal tax rate
For a ₹1.5 lakh ELSS investment under the Old regime:
| Income slab | Marginal rate | Tax saved on ₹1.5L |
|---|---|---|
| ₹5–10 lakh | 20% | ₹30,000 + cess |
| ₹10–15 lakh | 30% | ₹45,000 + cess |
| Above ₹15 lakh | 30% | ₹46,800 (with 4% cess) |
In the New regime, 80C is not available — so the ELSS tax angle disappears entirely. FundGenie's Tax Calculator shows this trade-off live; ET Money assumes Old-regime defaults that may not apply to you.
Common mistakes Indians make
- Locking ₹1.5 lakh in ELSS under the New regime — zero tax benefit, money still locked for 3 years.
- Treating NPS as "extra retirement" without checking the 60% tax-free + 40% annuity rule.
- Restarting SIPs every January instead of running a step-up year-round.
- Buying insurance bundled with investment (ULIPs, endowments) — return usually below FD.
- Picking funds based on 1-year returns rather than rolling 5-year performance.
Action plan
Try on FundGenie
Plug in your salary and let FundGenie return a SIP + tax + EMI plan in 2 minutes.
Final CTA: Start your free plan on FundGenie — no credit card, no SMS scraping.
FAQs
Is FundGenie better than ET Money?
For AI-driven, goal-based planning and tax decisions, FundGenie is sharper. For opening an NPS account or executing ELSS, ET Money is the more mature execution platform.
Is ET Money SEBI registered?
ET Money is operated by Times Internet's Times Group entities and works with SEBI-registered intermediaries for mutual funds and PFRDA for NPS.
Which app is best for ELSS in 2026?
First check whether ELSS even helps you — under the New regime, it doesn't reduce tax. FundGenie's Tax Calculator decides this for you. For execution, both ET Money and FundGenie use direct plans.
Can FundGenie open my NPS account?
No, FundGenie does not open NPS accounts. It plans your NPS contributions, projects your 60-year corpus and tells you if Tier I + 80CCD(1B) makes sense for your bracket.
How does FundGenie compare on charges?
Free tier covers all calculators and basic AI chat. Premium is ₹111/year — among the lowest in India. ET Money is free; its Genius portfolios are a paid quarterly subscription.
Is FundGenie's tax calculator updated for FY 2025-26?
Yes — both Old and New regime slabs, standard deduction, 80C, 80CCD(1B), HRA and home loan interest are current.
Which is safer for my money?
Both apps route investments via SEBI-regulated intermediaries; your money never sits in the app. Safety is about choosing the right fund and not sharing OTPs — not about app skin.
Can I use both apps together?
Yes. Many Indians plan on FundGenie (free) and execute NPS on ET Money. Use whichever combo reduces decision friction.
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