Alternatives to TurboTax in 2026

H&R Block is the closest mainstream alternative in this list, and its main advantage is choice. You can file online at home, get live help by chat or video on paid plans, or walk into an office when a return gets complicated. The Free Online tier covers simple returns at no federal or state cost, while Deluxe, Premium, and Self-Employed tiers add investment, rental, and business coverage.

The price is the trade-off. Paid online tiers cost more than FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer, and state filing adds a fee on paid plans. Seasonal pricing also means the price you see early in the season may differ from the price near the deadline. If you value a human backup and a well-known brand, H&R Block is worth the extra cost.

TaxAct is a good middle-ground choice for filers who want a mainstream guided product without paying top-tier prices. The Free Edition covers simple W-2 returns, while Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed tiers add investments, rentals, and Schedule C income. TaxAct also sells separate business return products for partnerships, S corporations, and corporations, which matters for owners who file more than a personal return.

The interface is functional rather than polished, and the step-by-step guidance can feel plainer than the market leader. Expert help costs extra on some plans, and state filing is billed separately. For a filer who knows the basics and wants a lower bill with room to grow into business filing, TaxAct is a practical pick.

TaxSlayer appeals to value shoppers who still want help when they get stuck. Simply Free covers simple returns at no cost, while Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed tiers add broader form coverage at prices below the largest brands. Paid plans include support options and audit assistance features that budget rivals sometimes charge extra for.

The state fee deserves attention. At $47.99 per state on many plans, it can nearly double the bill for a single-state filer on a low-cost federal tier. The free tier also has strict eligibility rules, so many filers will land on a paid plan. If you file in one state and want a low total with real support, compare the combined federal and state price, not the federal price alone.

FreeTaxUSA is the best value in this list for confident filers. Federal filing is free for all returns and all forms, including self-employment, rentals, and investments, which is rare. State filing costs $15.99 per state, and a Deluxe upgrade at $7.99 adds priority support and audit assistance. That combination keeps the total far below most rivals for the same return.

The trade-off is hand-holding. The interview is clear but less guided than premium products, and live expert help is thinner. If you understand your forms, or you file a similar return each year, FreeTaxUSA saves real money with no loss in filing accuracy. If you need step-by-step coaching, H&R Block or TaxSlayer will feel safer.

Cash App Taxes is the simplest price story here: free. Federal and state filing are free, with no paid tiers and no checkout upsell, and the product covers W-2 income, self-employment, itemized deductions, and common credits. For a filer who wants to pay nothing and does not need live expert help, it is hard to argue with that offer.

The limits matter for some filers. Support is mainly in-app help and chat, not a live CPA review, and you can file one federal and one state return. State e-filing coverage has limits, so check your state before you rely on it. For a straightforward to moderately complex return, Cash App Taxes is our top free pick. For a complex year, pair it with a professional review or pick a paid product with expert help.

Jackson Hewitt Online charges a flat $25 for federal and state filing, with all tax situations covered at that price in its online product. That simplicity helps multi-state filers and anyone tired of tiered pricing, because the bill does not jump when a new form appears. In-person Jackson Hewitt offices also exist as a backup, though office preparation is priced separately.

The online product is simpler than premium rivals. Form import is limited, so many filers enter data manually, and active stock traders with many transactions may find entry slow. Landlords who need depreciation help may also struggle. For a filer with a few forms who wants one predictable price, Jackson Hewitt Online is good value.

1040.com takes flat pricing one step further than most rivals: $34.99 covers federal and state filing, no matter how complex the return. That makes budgeting easy, especially for a filer with investments, rentals, or self-employment income who would land on a higher tier elsewhere. There are no tier jumps mid-return, which is a common frustration with other products.

There is no free plan, so a simple filer may pay more here than with a free tier elsewhere. Guidance is also plainer than premium products, so confident filers will get the most from it. If your return is complex and you want one honest price, 1040.com is a strong, simple alternative.

eFile.com is a smaller online filer that covers the common ground: guided federal and state filing, e-filing, and help options for filers who get stuck. A free tier covers simple returns, while paid plans add broader form coverage and support. That structure suits a filer who wants a guided product without paying for the largest brand name.

Because eFile.com is smaller and its prices vary by season, check the current plan price and state fee before you start. Support and import tools are solid for common returns, but they are less deep than the largest platforms for complex business or investment situations. For a straightforward return at a fair price, eFile.com is a worthy alternative to try.