Alternatives to TurboTax in 2026: 8 Options Compared
- 1
H&R BlockOnline filing with in-person backupVisit - 2
TaxActSolid online filing at a lower priceVisit - 3
FreeTaxUSAFree federal filing with cheap state filingVisit - 4
Cash App TaxesFree federal and state filingVisit - 5
Jackson HewittOnline and office tax preparationVisit
- Our pick for most people is H&R Block, because it covers online filing with in-person backup with the fewest trade-offs in this group.
- If you want to start without paying, FreeTaxUSA is the strongest free option here, though its paid tier adds the deeper features.
- TaxAct is the best second look when H&R Block does not fit, since it serves solid online filing at a lower price rather than the same audience.
- Prices and plan limits change often, so confirm the current terms on each vendor site and read the fine print on limits, renewals and cancellation.
Quick comparison
| Product | Ideal for | Price from | Free version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H&R Block | Online filing with in-person backup | See website | No | Visit |
| TaxAct | Solid online filing at a lower price | See website | No | Visit |
| FreeTaxUSA | Free federal filing with cheap state filing | See website | Yes | Visit |
| Cash App Taxes | Free federal and state filing | Free | Yes | Visit |
| Jackson Hewitt | Online and office tax preparation | See website | No | Visit |
 TaxSlayer | Budget filing for simple returns | See website | No | Visit |
 IRS Free File | Free filing through IRS partners | Free | Yes | Visit |
 1040.com | Simple online filing at a flat price | See website | No | Visit |
The best TurboTax alternatives
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews to build this list for alternatives to turbotax. Every option below exists and works today, and each one earns its place for a different kind of reader. Start with your forms, not the brand: investors, landlords and business owners need different products than a simple W-2 filer does. H&R Block leads this list because it handles online filing with in-person backup well for the widest range of readers, but the right choice depends on your budget, your device and how much support you want.
H&R Block
Ideal for: Online filing with in-person backup
Here is the short version. H&R Block is built for readers who want online filing with in-person backup, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is online filing plus office support. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of no. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is paid tiers cost more than budget rivals. upsells during filing If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Online filing plus office support
- Strong guidance
- Refund options
- Paid tiers cost more than budget rivals
- Upsells during filing
TaxAct
Ideal for: Solid online filing at a lower price
Start here if you want the safe default. TaxAct is built for readers who want solid online filing at a lower price, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is lower price than TurboTax for many filers. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of no. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is interface is plainer. support is thinner than H&R Block If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Lower price than TurboTax for many filers
- Good guidance
- State filing included on higher plans
- Interface is plainer
- Support is thinner than H&R Block
FreeTaxUSA
Ideal for: Free federal filing with cheap state filing
This one suits a specific kind of reader. FreeTaxUSA is built for readers who want free federal filing with cheap state filing, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is free federal filing. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of yes. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is deluxe features cost extra. audit support is an add-on If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Free federal filing
- Low-cost state filing
- Straightforward flow
- Deluxe features cost extra
- Audit support is an add-on
Cash App Taxes
Ideal for: Free federal and state filing
Consider this if the top picks do not fit. Cash App Taxes is built for readers who want free federal and state filing, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is free federal and state filing for many returns. The price picture is free, with a free plan status of yes. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is form coverage is narrower than paid products. no expert review option If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Free federal and state filing for many returns
- Simple mobile flow
- Form coverage is narrower than paid products
- No expert review option
Jackson Hewitt
Ideal for: Online and office tax preparation
A strong option for a narrower need. Jackson Hewitt is built for readers who want online and office tax preparation, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is office and online options. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of no. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is pricing varies by office. online tools are less polished If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Office and online options
- Refund advance products
- Broad form support
- Pricing varies by office
- Online tools are less polished
TaxSlayer
Ideal for: Budget filing for simple returns
Worth a close look before you decide. TaxSlayer is built for readers who want budget filing for simple returns, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is low price for simple returns. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of no. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is guidance is thinner for complex returns. interface feels basic If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Low price for simple returns
- Military free filing
- Clear step flow
- Guidance is thinner for complex returns
- Interface feels basic
IRS Free File
Ideal for: Free filing through IRS partners
This belongs on the shortlist for a reason. IRS Free File is built for readers who want free filing through irs partners, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is free filing for eligible incomes. The price picture is free, with a free plan status of yes. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is income limits apply. each partner product differs If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Free filing for eligible incomes
- Official programme
- Partner software included
- Income limits apply
- Each partner product differs
1040.com
Ideal for: Simple online filing at a flat price
Do not overlook this one. 1040.com is built for readers who want simple online filing at a flat price, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. Its clearest strength is simple flat-price filing. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of no. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month. The catch is form coverage is narrower than big rivals. no office support option If that trade-off is acceptable, this is a solid choice for its audience.
- Simple flat-price filing
- Federal and state returns
- Clear step flow
- Form coverage is narrower than big rivals
- No office support option
How we picked these
We started from the topic itself and kept only products that exist and work today and truly fit it. For each one we checked the official homepage, the pricing page and the free tier, and we read app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews where they were relevant. Products with a homepage we could not verify were left out, and prices we could not verify are shown as See website rather than guessed. We favored a mix of well-known leaders and strong smaller options, and we weighed entry price, free tier, platform coverage and honest weaknesses. No product here paid for its place, and we did not claim hands-on testing we did not do. What follows is a comparison of published facts, so you can check any claim on the vendor site before you buy.
Filing without overpaying for software
This is not tax advice. Tax rules change often, so confirm filing requirements and deadlines with a qualified professional for your situation. Start by naming the job you need done, then match it to one entry plan, not to a whole product family. Check which devices are supported, whether your data can be exported, and what happens when you cancel. A tool that locks your work inside its own format costs more to leave later, even when the monthly price looks low. Next, test the free tier or trial on a real task from your own week, and watch for the limit that bites first. That limit is usually a seat count, a usage cap or a feature held back for a higher tier. FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes are worth comparing side by side here, because they serve different audiences at different prices, and the cheaper one is not always the weaker one for your case. Finally, read the renewal and cancellation terms before you enter payment details, and set a reminder to review the subscription after the first month. Many buyers keep paying for a tool they stopped opening, and a short review each quarter keeps the stack honest. If two options feel close, pick the one with clearer pricing and simpler cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternatives to turbotax?
For most readers it is H&R Block, because it covers online filing with in-person backup with a clear pricing page and broad support. TaxAct is the best alternative when you need solid online filing at a lower price instead. Try the free tier or trial of both before you decide, since daily feel matters as much as the feature list.
Is there a free alternatives to turbotax?
Yes, several options here offer a free tier, including FreeTaxUSA, Cash App Taxes, IRS Free File. Free tiers usually limit seats, usage or advanced features, so check what is included before you rely on one for daily work.
How much should I expect to pay?
Entry prices in this list run from free up to the higher tiers shown in the comparison table, and the real cost depends on seats, usage and add-ons. H&R Block starts at see website, which is a fair benchmark for the group. Always confirm the current price on the official site, since vendors change plans during the year.
Can I switch to a different option later?
In most cases yes, but the effort depends on how much data you have stored and whether it exports cleanly. Before you commit, check export options and whether a trial lets you import your existing work. Keeping a backup outside the tool makes any future switch far easier.
Is there a truly free tax filing option?
Yes, for many filers. Cash App Taxes offers free federal and state filing for many situations, FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing, and the IRS Free File programme covers eligible incomes. Check your forms first, because complex returns may still need a paid tier.