The best TurboTax alternatives are online tax tools that let you file a simple return for free and only step up when your situation gets complicated, plus CRA-certified options if you're in Canada. Eleven options follow in no particular order, and the IRS Free File programme is worth checking before any of them.
Filing your own taxes shouldn't feel like being upsold at every screen. If that's how TurboTax has started to feel, you've got more choices than you might think.
The eleven tax tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the provider's own website, read this week. If you're self-employed, my tax tips for the self-employed are worth reading before you start.
TurboTax alternatives compared
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source version. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free, so check the provider's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1040.com | Online tax filing | Simple federal and state e-filing | Not stated |
| Cash App Taxes | Free tax filing in Cash App | Cash App users filing free | Yes |
| ezTaxReturn | Online tax preparation | Simple returns filed free | Yes |
| FreeTaxUSA | Online federal tax filing | Free federal filing for most situations | Yes |
| GenuTax | Canadian tax software | Canadians wanting free desktop software | Yes |
| H&R Block | Online tax filing | Filers who want expert help nearby | Yes |
| OLT.com | IRS authorised e-file provider | Free federal filing for freelancers | Yes |
| TaxAct | Online tax software | Free federal with optional upgrades | Yes |
| TaxSlayer | Online tax filing | Simple federal and state returns | Yes |
| UFile | Canadian tax software | Canadian freelancers and employees | Yes |
| Wealthsimple Tax | Canadian tax filing software | Canadians who already use Wealthsimple | Not stated |
Eleven TurboTax alternatives worth a look
1040.com
Best for: Anyone who wants a plain, transparent online service for federal and state returns, built around a calm step-by-step experience.
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Cash App users who want to file federal and state returns for free, whatever their tax situation, according to its own page.
ezTaxReturn
Best for: Filers with a simple return who want free federal filing, with a clear check on whether their return qualifies before they start.
FreeTaxUSA
Best for: Confident filers who want free federal returns that still support itemising, home ownership and filing jointly.
GenuTax
Best for: Thrifty Canadians who want free, multiyear desktop tax software that works with the CRA rather than another subscription.
H&R Block
Best for: Households who like a free online start but want the option of unlimited expert help if their return gets complicated.
OLT.com
Best for: Freelancers and gig workers who want free federal filing from an IRS authorised e-file provider with self-employed support.
TaxAct
Best for: Families who want a free federal option and the choice to step up to fuller editions as their return gets more complex.
TaxSlayer
Best for: Students and workers with simple taxes who want to file a federal and one state return for free, with fuller editions kept separate.
UFile
Best for: Canadians, including the self-employed, who want home-grown online tax software with a free filing option for many taxpayers.
Wealthsimple Tax
Best for: Existing Wealthsimple customers who want CRA and NETFILE-certified filing software from the same company that runs their investing or savings account.
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Where to start
- A simple return, filed free: Cash App Taxes, FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer.
- Expert help if it gets complicated: H&R Block or TaxAct.
- Freelancers and gig workers: OLT.com.
- A plain, step-by-step service: 1040.com or ezTaxReturn.
- Canada: UFile, GenuTax or Wealthsimple Tax.
Check IRS Free File before anything else
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Free File page offers guided tax software from IRS partner companies for filers under an income limit. When I read it, the page said IRS Free File had closed and to check back in January.
So the first step each filing season is simple: look at IRS Free File, see whether your income is under the limit, and use partner software for nothing if you qualify. Only then compare the commercial tools.
Free versions have limits
Free editions usually cover straightforward returns, such as wages and standard deductions. Once you add freelance income, investments or rental property, many tools move you up to a fuller edition.
Read what each free version includes before you start typing. It's far easier to pick the right tool at the beginning than to discover halfway through that your situation isn't covered.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Does the free version cover my income types?
- Is my state return included?
- Can I import the previous year's return?
- Is expert help available if I get stuck?
- Does it support self-employment income?
- Is it authorised for e-filing with the IRS or the CRA?
Signs it's time to switch
- Your return is simple. A free tool may cover it.
- You keep getting upgrade prompts. Compare free editions.
- You live in Canada. Use CRA-certified software.
- You want a human to check it. Look for expert help.
Do you make tax filing software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on leaving TurboTax
If your return is simple, try a free option first and give it an honest go. Most people with wages and a standard deduction don't need the top edition, and switching is easier than it looks.
If your return is complicated, or you've had a big change such as starting a business, it can make sense to bring in a professional. My guide on when to hire a CPA instead of filing yourself helps you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of TurboTax?
Plenty of online tax tools in this list file simple returns for free, some add expert help for harder returns, and several Canadian tools are certified for the CRA.
Can I file my taxes for free?
Often, yes. Several tools offer free filing for simple returns, and IRS Free File offers partner software to filers under an income limit.
When is IRS Free File open?
It opens during the filing season. When I checked, the IRS page said it had closed and to check back in January.
Is there a free tax tool for Canadians?
Yes. At least two Canadian tools in this list describe free filing on their own sites.
Do free tax tools handle self-employment?
Some do and some don't, so check each tool's free edition before you start if you have freelance income.
Can I switch away from TurboTax?
Yes. Most tools let you start a new return from scratch, and some can import the previous year's return.
