Best Alternatives to TurboTax in 2026: 9 Tools Compared

H and R Block is the closest mainstream alternative to TurboTax, with a polished guided interview, W-2 and 1099 imports, and a free online tier for simple returns. Deluxe, Premium, and Self-Employed plans add investment, rental, and business support, with prices listed from around $65 for Deluxe, $105 for Premium, and $130 for Self-Employed in recent online listings, plus state fees on paid tiers. The real advantage is backup. If an online return gets confusing, H and R Block has thousands of offices where a tax professional can review it, and that option is reassuring for filers who want DIY filing with a safety net. Prices rise through the season, so early filing is usually cheaper. For filers who want TurboTax-level guidance with in-person help, H and R Block is the best alternative.

TaxAct gives budget-conscious filers a guided product without TurboTax prices. The free tier covers simple W-2 returns, while Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed plans add investments, rentals, and business income, with federal prices listed around $59.99 for Deluxe, $99.99 for Premier, and $109.99 for Self-Employed, plus state fees. That structure suits filers who want step-by-step help but do not want to pay a premium for it. The interface is functional rather than polished, and expert help options are less prominent than at H and R Block or TurboTax. For a confident filer with a moderately complex return, TaxAct offers strong value. For a filer who wants maximum hand-holding and live expert review, H and R Block or a TurboTax live plan may feel more reassuring, at a higher price.

FreeTaxUSA is the best value pick for confident DIY filers. 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 for extra support and audit help. That pricing means a complex return that costs over $100 elsewhere can cost under $20 here, plus state fees. The trade-off is guidance. FreeTaxUSA asks clear questions and checks for errors, but it does not hold your hand the way TurboTax does, and there are no offices to visit. Filers who know their forms, or who are comfortable reading IRS guidance, will find it excellent. Filers who want a live expert to review every step should look at H and R Block instead. This is general information, not professional tax advice.

TaxSlayer sits between budget and mainstream options, with a Simply Free tier for simple returns, Classic at $44.99 federal, and Self-Employed at $74.99 federal in recent listings, plus state fees around $47.99. The product covers a broad range of forms, with a guided interview and expert help options on higher plans, which suits filers with investments, rentals, or freelance income who still want support. Simply Free eligibility is narrower than the name suggests, so many filers will need Classic or higher. State pricing also varies by tier and season, so check the total for your state before filing. For value shoppers with moderately complex returns who want a mainstream product without TurboTax prices, TaxSlayer is a strong middle choice.

Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, is the simplest deal in tax software: federal and state filing are free, for all supported forms, with no paid tiers and no upsell at checkout. That makes it ideal for cost-minimalists with straightforward to moderately complex returns, who want to file without worrying about a price jump when they add a form. The limit is support depth. Cash App Taxes offers online help and a clear interface, but no live expert review or in-person backup, and some very complex situations may fit better in FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct, or H and R Block. For most W-2, investment, and self-employment filers, however, Cash App Taxes files accurately at zero cost, which is hard to beat on price alone.

Jackson Hewitt Online appeals to filers who hate per-form and per-state pricing. One flat price of $25 covers federal and state filing for all tax situations, which makes it especially attractive for multi-state filers and complex returns that would cost far more elsewhere. The online product is straightforward, and in-person offices offer help for filers who want it. There is no free plan, so simple filers who qualify for free filing elsewhere may pay more here than at Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA. The online experience is also simpler than TurboTax, with less guidance for unusual situations. For a complex or multi-state return where flat pricing saves money, Jackson Hewitt Online is one of the most transparent options available.

1040.com offers the simplest pricing in this list after Jackson Hewitt: one flat price of $34.99 for federal and state filing, no matter how complex the return. That clarity suits filers who want to know the total cost before they start, without watching the price rise as they add schedules, investments, or a second state. The product covers a wide range of forms in a straightforward online interview. There is no free plan, and guidance features are lighter than TurboTax or H and R Block, so confident filers get the most value. For a simple return, a free option will be cheaper. For a complex return, or a return with several states, 1040.com's flat price can save money and remove pricing surprises at checkout.

IRS Free File is the official free route for eligible taxpayers, offered through the IRS website with partner tax software. Filers with adjusted gross income under the program limit, around $89,000 in recent years, can prepare and file federal returns free through a partner, with some partners also offering free state filing. The program is a good check against upsells, because the IRS lists eligible products directly. Eligibility is the limit. Higher-income filers do not qualify, and each partner has its own forms, age, and state limits, so the best partner depends on your situation. Filers above the limit should use Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA for low-cost filing instead. For eligible filers, IRS Free File is the first place to check before paying for any software.

eFile.com is a smaller, low-cost online filing service that suits filers looking beyond the big names. It offers free filing options for simple returns, with paid plans for more complex situations, and it covers many common forms, including investments and self-employment income on higher plans. The interface is straightforward, and the price is usually below TurboTax for a similar return. Pricing details vary by plan and season, so check the current price for your forms and state before filing, and confirm that your specific schedules are supported. Support is mainly online, without the office network of H and R Block. For a filer who wants a low-cost alternative and is comfortable with online help, eFile.com is worth comparing alongside TaxAct and TaxSlayer.