Best TurboTax Alternatives

What separates the top TurboTax alternatives?

All four picks were run through the same three returns and checked against a CPA-prepared result. The scores land close together, so the split comes down to price and how much hand-holding you want.

FreeTaxUSA scores 8.6 and costs $14.99. Freelancer and investor returns came to $14.99, where TurboTax charged $153 and $193. All three refunds matched the CPA, and there are no upsell screens between sections. The trade-offs: stock sales must be typed or summarised because there is no brokerage import, and the interview is plainer, assuming you know what a form is.

H&R Block Online scores 8.1 at $55. Its free tier covers more common forms than TurboTax's, every return matched the CPA, and you can switch to an office appointment at any point. Self-Employed with state is $164, and brokerage import covers fewer institutions.

Cash App Taxes scores 7.6 and is free, including the state. Schedule C, rentals and capital gains are all included, plus free audit defense. You must install Cash App and create an account, and there is no multi-state, foreign income or part-year resident support.

TaxSlayer scores 7.4 at $37.95. Classic includes Schedule C, D and E for $37.95 federal, so freelancers are not pushed into a pricier edition. State is $44.95, the most expensive here, and brokerage import is weak. Military filers file free.

What should I check before buying?

The scoring puts accuracy and guidance at 30, price at 25, ease of use at 20, support at 15, and import and features at 10. Weigh those against your own return.

• Your forms. Schedule C, rentals and stock sales are covered by every pick here, but the free tiers differ.
• State filing. Cash App Taxes includes it at no cost. TaxSlayer charges $44.95, the most expensive state fee here.
• Brokerage import. FreeTaxUSA has none, H&R Block covers fewer institutions, and TaxSlayer's is weak. If you trade often, expect to type.
• Support. H&R Block lets you switch to an office appointment at any point. Cash App Taxes includes free audit defense.
• Account requirements. Cash App Taxes requires the Cash App and an account.

Which one for whom?

FreeTaxUSA suits freelancers and investors who want a $14.99 federal return and will type their stock sales. H&R Block Online suits filers who want nearly TurboTax's ease for $55 and may want an office appointment. Cash App Taxes suits simple filers who want federal and state for nothing and already use the Cash App. TaxSlayer suits freelancers who want Schedule C, D and E on the $37.95 Classic tier and can absorb the $44.95 state fee.

FreeTaxUSA fits freelancers and investors who want a $14.99 federal return and will type their stock sales. H&R Block Online fits filers who want nearly TurboTax's ease for $55 and the option of an office appointment. Cash App Taxes fits simple filers who want federal and state for nothing, and TaxSlayer fits freelancers who want Schedule C, D and E on the $37.95 Classic tier.