How Bill Egan's Mortgage Calculator Compares: October 2026 Test
Bill Egan's calculator won the official fee tests: of the ten calculators tested, it was the only one to pass all three. Every VA and FHA number in the tests reported here was right.
| Calculator | VA funding fee added to loan | FHA upfront premium added to loan | FHA monthly insurance correct | Insurance estimate | Closing costs | Local taxes | Up-to-the-hour rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Egan's calculator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ |
| PITI.com | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ |
| Calculator.net | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | ✗ |
| Zillow | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | – |
| MortgageCalculator.org | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ |
| Bankrate | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | – |
| NerdWallet | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | – |
| Fannie Mae | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | – |
| Rocket Mortgage | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | – |
| Experian | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | – |
✓ = passed or has it red ✗ = failed or does not have it – = not checked
Tested October 2026
Up-to-the-hour rates means the calculator checks for a new rate reading at least hourly. The up-to-the-hour column could only be confirmed for calculators whose refresh could be checked. Bill Egan's calculator checks for a new reading at least every 15 minutes; its displayed rate was dated October 16, 2026, because no new readings are posted on weekends. Confirmed by review of the live calculator code on October 18, 2026: the calculator holds a rate reading for at most 15 minutes, then requests a new one. The insurance, closing-cost and tax columns show only whether an estimate is included.
Questions and answers
Which calculator passed all three official fee tests?
In tests on October 18, 2026, Bill Egan's calculator was the only one of the ten calculators tested to get the VA funding fee, the FHA upfront premium and the FHA monthly mortgage insurance all correct.
Does Bill Egan's calculator add the VA funding fee to the loan?
Yes. It added the VA funding fee to the loan at the correct rate in all three VA down-payment cases tested. Six of the nine other calculators tested did not add the fee to the loan.
Does it figure FHA mortgage insurance correctly?
Yes. For a $337,750 FHA loan it showed an upfront premium of $5,910.63 and monthly mortgage insurance of $154, which matches HUD's method within $1. Of the nine other calculators tested, one also showed the monthly insurance correctly.
Were all ten calculators given the same VA and FHA loans?
Yes. All ten were run through the same four sample loans on a $350,000 home: VA with 0%, 5% and 10% down, and FHA with 3.5% down.
How current are its rates?
Up-to-the-hour rates means the calculator checks for a new rate reading at least hourly. Bill Egan's calculator checks for a new reading at least every 15 minutes. On the October 18, 2026 test date the displayed rate was dated October 16, 2026, because no new readings are posted on weekends.
Is this a loan estimate?
No. It is a nationwide test of calculation method using one sample home and published averages. Your actual terms will appear on your Loan Estimate.
How we tested
Each calculator was tested in its live public version on October 18, 2026, and this page reports one result for each scenario. All ten calculators were run through the same four VA and FHA sample loans on a $350,000 sample home (VA with 0%, 5% and 10% down; FHA with 3.5% down), with a 30-year term and a 6.500% test rate where the calculator allowed one. Where a calculator had no VA or FHA option, its standard loan was used.
Each answer was compared against the VA funding fee chart, HUD's FHA premium rules (a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan, and 0.55% a year in monthly insurance figured on the base loan, kept for the life of the loan when less than 10% is put down) and the standard loan payment formula. A figure passes when it is within $1 of the correct answer.
Bill Egan's calculator has no rate field, so it was graded at the rate it displayed (7.14% for VA and conventional loans, 6.78% for FHA), with the correct answers recomputed at that rate. Its payments should not be compared dollar for dollar with the other calculators' payments, which were figured at 6.5%.
A red X means our test found a failed result or a missing feature. A dash means the item was not tested. Private mortgage insurance figures are estimates and were noted, not graded.
Results: the four VA and FHA loans, calculator by calculator
Correct answers at 6.5%: VA 0% down, loan $357,525 and principal and interest about $2,260; VA 5% down, $337,487.50 and about $2,133; VA 10% down, $318,937.50 and about $2,016; FHA 3.5% down, $343,660.63, about $2,172, and monthly insurance about $154.
Bill Egan's calculator (graded at its displayed rate: 7.14% VA, 6.78% FHA)
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $357,525 | Yes | $2,412 (correct at 7.14%) | None (VA) | Pass |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $337,488 | Yes | $2,277 (correct at 7.14%) | None (VA) | Pass |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $318,938 | Yes | $2,152 (correct at 7.14%) | None (VA) | Pass |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $343,661 | Yes ($5,910.63) | $2,236 (correct at 6.78%) | $154 | Pass |
PITI.com
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $357,525 | Yes | $2,259.80 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $337,488 | Yes | $2,133.15 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $318,938 | Yes | $2,015.90 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $343,661 | Yes ($5,911) | $2,172.17 | $157.51 | Fail: monthly insurance figured on the total loan |
Calculator.net
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $357,525.00 | Yes | $2,259.80 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $337,487.50 | Yes | $2,133.15 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $318,937.50 | Yes | $2,015.90 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $343,875.00 | Yes, but figured on the home price ($6,125.00) | $2,173.52 | $154.80 | Fail: upfront premium figured on the home price |
Zillow (main calculator)
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $350,000 | No | $2,212 (plus $286 unlabeled) | None shown | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $332,500 | No | $2,102 (plus $210 unlabeled) | None shown | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $315,000 | No | $1,991 (plus $155 unlabeled) | None shown | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Does not have it: no FHA option on the calculator tested |
MortgageCalculator.org (VA calculator; main calculator with Loan Type = FHA)
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $357,525.00 | Yes (financing switched on) | $2,259.80 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $337,487.50 | Yes (financing switched on) | $2,133.15 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $318,937.50 | Yes (financing switched on) | $2,015.90 | None (VA) | Pass |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $337,750 | No | about $2,134.81 | $140.73 at a 0.5% default you must change; dropped after 130 months | Fail: does not add the upfront premium; monthly insurance wrong |
FHA loans with less than 10% down keep monthly insurance for the life of the loan, so dropping it after 130 months is also wrong.
Bankrate (main calculator; its VA and FHA calculator pages returned "not found")
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $350,000 | No | $2,212 | None | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $332,500 | No | $2,102 | None | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $315,000 | No | $1,991 | None | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $337,750 | No | $2,135 | None | Fail: does not calculate the FHA premium into the payment |
NerdWallet (VA and FHA calculators)
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $350,000 | No (shows $7,525 only in a total-cost line) | $2,212.24 | None (VA) | Fail: lists the VA rates but makes you add the fee yourself |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $332,500 | No (shows $4,988 only in a total-cost line) | $2,101.63 | None (VA) | Fail: lists the VA rates but makes you add the fee yourself |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $315,000 | No (shows $3,938 only in a total-cost line) | $1,991.01 | None (VA) | Fail: lists the VA rates but makes you add the fee yourself |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $337,750 | No (shows $5,911, not added to the loan) | $2,135 | $239 at 0.85% | Fail: does not calculate the upfront premium into the payment; monthly insurance wrong |
Fannie Mae
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $350,000 | No | $2,212 | Private mortgage insurance $321 | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $332,500 | No | $2,102 | Private mortgage insurance $172 | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $315,000 | No | $1,991 | Private mortgage insurance $116 | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $337,750 | No | $2,135 | Private mortgage insurance $310 | Fail: does not calculate the FHA premium into the payment |
It has no VA or FHA option and charges private mortgage insurance instead.
Rocket Mortgage (main calculator; its VA and FHA pages returned "not found", and its calculator list has no VA or FHA calculator)
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $350,000 | No | $2,212 | No mortgage insurance line | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $332,500 | No | $2,102 | No mortgage insurance line | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $315,000 | No | $1,991 | No mortgage insurance line | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $337,750 | No | $2,135 | No mortgage insurance line | Fail: does not calculate the FHA premium into the payment |
No closing-cost estimate is shown.
Experian
| Loan | Loan used | Fee added to the loan? | Principal and interest | Monthly mortgage insurance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down (correct: loan $357,525; P&I about $2,260) | $350,000 | No | $2,212 | Defaults to 0%; you type it in | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 3. VA 5% down (correct: loan $337,487.50; P&I about $2,133) | $332,500 | No | $2,102 | Defaults to 0%; you type it in | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 4. VA 10% down (correct: loan $318,937.50; P&I about $2,016) | $315,000 | No | $1,991 | Defaults to 0%; you type it in | Fail: does not add the VA funding fee to the loan |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down (correct: loan $343,660.63; P&I about $2,172; monthly insurance about $154) | $337,750 | No | $2,135 | Defaults to 0%; you type it in | Fail: does not calculate the FHA premium into the payment |
It has no VA or FHA option. No closing-cost estimate is shown.
Bill Egan's calculator: every scenario
Graded at the rate the calculator displayed. Taxes and insurance were the page defaults. Private mortgage insurance figures are estimates and are not graded.
| Scenario | Correct answer at 6.5% | Bill Egan's calculator | Correct at the displayed rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. VA 0% down | Loan $357,525; principal and interest $2,259.80 | Fee $7,525 added; loan $357,525; principal and interest $2,412 at 7.14% | $2,412.33 | Pass |
| 2. VA 0% down, veteran exempt from the fee | Loan $350,000; principal and interest $2,212.24 | Not offered: no exemption option | Not offered | Does not have it |
| 3. VA 5% down | Loan $337,487.50; principal and interest $2,133.15 | Fee $4,987.50 added; loan $337,488; principal and interest $2,277 at 7.14% | $2,277.13 | Pass |
| 4. VA 10% down | Loan $318,937.50; principal and interest $2,015.90 | Fee $3,937.50 added; loan $318,938; principal and interest $2,152 at 7.14% | $2,151.97 | Pass |
| 5. FHA 3.5% down | Loan $343,660.63; principal and interest $2,172.17; monthly insurance $154.02 | Upfront $5,910.63 added; loan $343,661; principal and interest $2,236 at 6.78%; monthly insurance $154 | $2,235.83; insurance $154.06 | Pass |
| 6. Conventional 20% down | Loan $280,000; principal and interest $1,769.79 | Loan $280,000; principal and interest $1,889 at 7.14%; no private mortgage insurance; total $2,522 | $1,889.25 | Pass |
| 7. Conventional 5% down | Loan $332,500; principal and interest $2,101.63 | Loan $332,500; principal and interest $2,243 at 7.14%; private mortgage insurance $108 (estimate); total $2,984 | $2,243.48 | Pass |
| 8. Conventional 10% down, $925,000 home | Loan $832,500; principal and interest $5,261.97 | Loan $832,500 (conforming); principal and interest $5,617 at 7.14%; private mortgage insurance $180 (estimate); total $7,391 | $5,617.14 | Pass |
| Extra loan: conventional 10% down, $350,000 home | Loan $315,000; principal and interest $1,991.01 | Loan $315,000; principal and interest $2,125 at 7.14%; private mortgage insurance $68 (estimate) | $2,125.40 | Pass |
What the results support
- Of the ten calculators tested on October 18, 2026, Bill Egan's calculator was the only one to get the VA funding fee, the FHA upfront premium and the FHA monthly mortgage insurance all correct.
- Of the ten mortgage calculators we tested on October 18, 2026, Bill Egan's was the only one with a check in every column of our comparison.
- All ten calculators were run through the same four VA and FHA sample loans.
- Bill Egan's calculator added the VA funding fee to the loan at the correct rate in all three VA cases tested; six of the nine other calculators tested did not add the fee to the loan.
- Bill Egan's calculator added the FHA 1.75% upfront premium to the loan correctly; of the nine other calculators, one did the same and eight did not add it correctly or did not offer it.
- Of the ten calculators tested, Bill Egan's was one of two to add both the VA funding fee and the FHA upfront premium to the loan correctly; the other eight did not.
- Bill Egan's calculator's principal and interest matched the standard loan formula within $1, at the rate it displayed, in all seven sample loans it offers.
- Bill Egan's calculator checks for a new rate reading at least hourly. Rates are not posted on weekends.
Sources
- VA funding fee rates: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA funding fee and closing costs (checked October 18, 2026)
- FHA premiums: HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05; HUD premium calculation; 24 CFR 203.284
- 2026 loan limits: FHFA conforming loan limits; HUD FHA mortgage limits
Disclaimer
Results reflect the calculators listed as tested on October 18, 2026, using identical sample inputs. This is a nationwide test of calculation method using published averages, not a loan estimate for any property. Online calculators change often, and other calculators may give different results. Calculator figures are estimates only. They are not a loan offer, a rate quote, or a commitment to lend. Actual rates, payments, fees and closing costs depend on your credit, property, loan program and market conditions when you apply, and your actual terms will appear on your Loan Estimate. Egan Financial Group, NMLS #2647764. Bill Egan, NMLS #7342. 200 E Randolph St, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601. Equal Housing Opportunity.