Alternatives · Accounting
TurboTax alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded TurboTax alternative is Cash App Taxes (3.2 GPA). It's also the best free one.
TurboTax compared with 5 alternatives: TaxAct, Cash App Taxes, StudioTax, UFile and Wealthsimple Tax.
TurboTax has a free plan. Paid plans start at $84 per tax year (TurboTax Desktop Deluxe, state e-file extra). All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a TurboTax sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTaxThis tool | Free plan · from $84/yr | Yes | Web, iOS |
| TaxAct | Free plan · from $44.99/yr | Yes | Web |
| Cash App Taxes | Free | Free | Web, iOS, Android |
| StudioTax | Free plan · from $17.50/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| UFile | Free plan · from $20.95 | Yes | Web, Windows |
| Wealthsimple Tax | Free plan · from $40/yr | Yes | Web |
Price against what you get
TurboTax starts at $7 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 3 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
TaxAct, Cash App Taxes and StudioTax start lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from TurboTax
TaxAct
Online and downloadable tax filing for individuals and businesses
- TaxAct starts at $44.99 per tax year (download); online from $59.99, states extra.
- TaxAct lists no iOS app, which TurboTax has.
- TaxAct also covers documents.
Suits: Individuals with simple returns that qualify for free federal filing
Cash App Taxes
Free federal and state tax filing inside Cash App
- Cash App Taxes is free.
- Cash App Taxes also lists an Android app.
- Cash App Taxes also covers forms.
Suits: US filers who want to pay nothing for federal and state returns
StudioTax
Canadian personal tax software for desktop and mobile
- StudioTax starts at $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns.
- StudioTax also lists Windows, macOS and Android apps.
- StudioTax lists no web app, which TurboTax has.
- StudioTax also covers forms.
Suits: Canadians who want a local desktop program rather than a cloud service
UFile
Canadian tax software, online or for Windows, free to start
- UFile starts at $20.95 (UFile Online); Windows edition from $26.99.
- UFile also lists a Windows app.
- UFile lists no iOS app, which TurboTax has.
- UFile also covers forms.
Suits: Canadians with self-employment, investment or rental income
Wealthsimple Tax
Canadian personal tax filing with a pay-what-you-want basic plan
- Wealthsimple Tax starts at CA$40 + tax per tax year (Plus); Basic is pay what you want, including $0.
- Wealthsimple Tax lists no iOS app, which TurboTax has.
- Wealthsimple Tax also covers forms.
Suits: Canadians with employment, investment, rental or self-employed income who want a low-cost return
Limits worth knowing in TurboTax
- Online prices are not published on the pages read; they depend on the forms and the service level, and are shown while filing.
- Free Edition excludes itemized deductions, 1099-NEC income, stock and crypto sales and rental income.
- Desktop state e-file costs $25 per personal state return, except New York and Washington, and Live Tax Advice is $60.
- Paying fees out of the refund, early deposit and Audit Defense ($45 to $60) cost extra.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to TurboTax?
The alternatives to TurboTax in this directory are TaxAct, Cash App Taxes, StudioTax, UFile and Wealthsimple Tax. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with TurboTax.
Is there a free alternative to TurboTax?
Yes. Cash App Taxes is free to use. TaxAct, StudioTax, UFile and Wealthsimple Tax have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which TurboTax alternatives work on Windows?
The TurboTax listing does not include a Windows app. StudioTax and UFile list one.
Which TurboTax alternatives work on macOS?
The TurboTax listing does not include a macOS app. StudioTax lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Nov 12, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.