How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- H&R Block suits filers who want a credible free tier with in-person backup at thousands of offices.
- FreeTaxUSA suits confident DIY filers who want the cheapest accurate return, with free federal filing for every situation.
- Cash App Taxes suits cost-minimalists, with 100 percent free federal and state filing and no paid tiers.
- TaxAct suits budget-conscious filers who want a mainstream guided product with expert help options.
- TaxSlayer suits value shoppers with moderately complex returns, including self-employed filers.
- Jackson Hewitt Online suits multi-state filers who want one flat price for federal and state.
- IRS Free File suits low-to-moderate income filers, free for adjusted gross income under $89,000.
- OLT suits ultra-low-cost Schedule C filers who need self-employed forms cheaply.
- TurboTax itself is not listed here, since this article covers replacements for it. Money and tax note: this article is general information, not tax advice. Tax software prices climb as the April deadline nears, so early-season filing is cheaper than peak-season filing. The IRS discontinued its own Direct File tool ahead of the 2026 filing season, so confirm at irs.gov whether any government-run alternative has launched since.
Quick comparison
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The best TurboTax alternatives
#1H&R Block
Best for: Free tier plus in-person offices4.0/5 on
G2 (21 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hrblock.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
H&R Block suits filers who want a credible free tier with in-person backup. Free Online covers $0 federal and $0 state for simple returns, while Deluxe at $65, Premium at $105, and Self-Employed at $130 cover investments, rentals, and business income. Thousands of offices offer in-person help if an online return gets complicated.
The limits are paid-tier cost and seasonal pricing. Paid tiers run $65 to $130 federal with state fees extra, and prices climb as the April deadline nears. For filers who want free coverage plus a human fallback, H&R Block is the best pick.
What we like- Credible free tier with more forms than rivals
- Thousands of offices for in-person help
- Accuracy guarantee
Watch out for- Paid tiers from $65 to $130 federal
- State fees extra
- Prices climb near the deadline
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
FreeTaxUSA suits confident DIY filers who want the cheapest accurate return. Federal filing is free for every tax situation, including self-employment, rentals, and investments, with state filing at $15.99 per state and a Deluxe upgrade at $7.99 federal for extra support. Pricing is clear, with minimal upsells.
The trade off is guidance. FreeTaxUSA offers less hand-holding than H&R Block, and state fees apply on every return. For filers who know their return and want the lowest accurate price, FreeTaxUSA is the best choice.
What we like- Federal filing free for every tax situation
- State only $15.99
- Minimal upsells
Watch out for- Less hand-holding than H&R Block
- Deluxe upgrade $7.99 federal
- State fee applies on every return
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Cash App Taxes suits cost-minimalists with straightforward to moderate returns, offering 100 percent free federal and state filing with all forms and no paid tiers. There are no upsells, no income cap, and no state fee, which makes it the only fully free option here.
The limits are support and complexity. Filing is self-service only with limited pro access, and very complex returns may need a paid tool with expert review. For simple single-state returns, Cash App Taxes is the best pick.
What we like- 100% free federal and state filing
- All forms
- No paid tiers and no upsells
Watch out for- Self-service only
- Limited pro access
- Best for straightforward to moderate returns
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TaxAct suits budget-conscious filers who still want a mainstream guided product. The free tier covers $0 federal for W-2 employees, students, and Child Tax Credit filers, while Deluxe at $59.99 federal, Premier at $99.99 federal, and Self-Employed at $109.99 federal cover investments, rentals, and business income. An expert help add-on costs $45.
The trade off is state cost and fees. State filing costs $64.99 per state, and a processing fee near $54 applies on some options. For budget filers who want structure plus expert help, TaxAct is the best choice.
What we like- Mainstream guided product
- Expert help add-on at $45
- Strong accuracy coverage
Watch out for- Paid tiers $59.99 to $109.99 federal
- State $64.99 per state
- Processing fee about $54 on some options
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TaxSlayer suits value shoppers with moderately complex returns. Simply Free covers $0 federal for strict simple situations, Classic at $44.99 federal covers most filers, and Self-Employed at $74.99 federal covers business income. State filing costs $47.99, and military members file federal free.
The limits are free-tier scope. Simply Free has narrow eligibility, and state fees apply on every paid tier. For value paid plans with broad form coverage, TaxSlayer is the best pick.
What we like- Broad form coverage at lower cost
- Classic $44.99 federal
- Military free federal filing
Watch out for- Simply Free has narrow eligibility
- State $47.99
- Self-Employed $74.99 federal
Starting price$25 flat
Free planNo
Jackson Hewitt Online suits multi-state filers and complex returns wanting the lowest flat price. A single $25 flat fee covers federal plus state filing for all tax situations, with no per-state charges, which beats per-state pricing for filers in two or more states. In-person help is available inside Walmart stores.
The trade off is free access. There is no free plan, so simple-return filers pay $25 even when Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA would file free. For multi-state filers, Jackson Hewitt is the best value.
What we like- $25 flat for federal plus state
- All tax situations included
- In-person help inside Walmart stores
Watch out for- No free plan
- $25 for everyone even on simple returns
- Less guided than H&R Block
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
IRS Free File suits low-to-moderate income filers, offering free federal filing for adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less through IRS partner software. It is the official free option, with no upsells from the IRS itself, and state filing varies by partner.
The limits are eligibility and guidance. The income cap excludes higher earners, state filing varies by partner, and guidance comes only from partner tools. For eligible filers, IRS Free File is the best official route.
What we like- Official IRS program
- Free for adjusted gross income under $89,000
- Partner software included
Watch out for- Income cap at $89,000
- State filing varies by partner
- No guidance beyond partner tools
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
OLT, or Online Taxes, suits ultra-low-cost Schedule C filers who need self-employed forms cheaply. Free and paid options cover Schedule C returns, with low-cost state filing that undercuts most rivals. For freelancers and solo owners who want Schedule C at the lowest price, OLT is the best niche pick.
The trade off is brand and guidance. OLT is smaller than H&R Block or TaxAct, guidance is thinner, and support options are fewer. For low-cost self-employed filing, OLT is the best choice.
What we like- Ultra-low-cost Schedule C filing
- Free and paid options
- Low-cost state filing
Watch out for- Smaller brand than rivals
- Less guided than H&R Block
- Support options thinner
How we chose
We compared federal and state pricing, free-tier eligibility, form coverage, guidance quality, and in-person support. Tools with free federal filing for every situation scored higher than tools with narrow free tiers, and tools with flat pricing scored higher for multi-state filers. We favored tools with transparent pricing and noted where prices climb near the deadline. We did not test any tool hands-on, and prices here reflect published list prices that vendors change often, especially during tax season.
Buying guide: what to check before you pay
Start with your return complexity. Simple W-2 returns file free on Cash App Taxes, FreeTaxUSA, H&R Block Free, or IRS Free File if eligible. Self-employment, rental, and investment returns need tools that support those forms, so match your actual forms to a tool that supports them upfront. Next, check state costs, since FreeTaxUSA charges $15.99 per state, TaxAct $64.99, TaxSlayer $47.99, and Jackson Hewitt $25 flat for all states. Ask about guidance too, since H&R Block offers in-person help while Cash App Taxes is self-service only. Check seasonal pricing as well, since prices climb as the April deadline nears, so file early when possible. Finally, remember this article is general information, not tax advice. If your return involves complex business, multi-state, or foreign income, consider a licensed tax professional.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to file taxes?
Cash App Taxes is cheapest overall, with 100 percent free federal and state filing and no paid tiers. FreeTaxUSA is cheapest for paid-state filers, with free federal filing and $15.99 per state. IRS Free File is free for adjusted gross income under $89,000.
Is FreeTaxUSA really free?
Federal filing is free for every tax situation on FreeTaxUSA, including self-employment, rentals, and investments. State filing costs $15.99 per state, and a Deluxe upgrade costs $7.99 federal for extra support.
Which TurboTax alternative offers in-person help?
H&R Block offers in-person help at thousands of offices, and Jackson Hewitt offers in-person help inside Walmart stores. Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA are online-only with limited pro access.
Do tax software prices change during the season?
Yes. Prices climb as the April deadline nears on several platforms, so early-season filing is cheaper than peak-season filing. Confirm current pricing directly with the provider before filing.
Should I use tax software or hire a CPA?
Tax software suits most filers with standard forms, including W-2, 1099, Schedule C, rentals, and investments. A CPA suits complex returns involving business entities, multi-state issues, foreign income, or audits. If you are unsure, start with software and consult a professional for specific questions.
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Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
FreeTaxUSA
Cash App Taxes
TaxAct
TaxSlayer
Jackson Hewitt Online
IRS Free File
OLT