7 Best TurboTax Alternatives in 2026 (Cheaper & Better Options)

TurboTax is the most popular tax software in America—but it's also one of the most expensive. Their Self-Employed edition costs $129+ per year, and that's before state filing and add-ons.

For freelancers and self-employed professionals, there are better options. Some are cheaper. Some offer features TurboTax doesn't. Some are both.

Here are the best TurboTax alternatives for 2026.

Quick Comparison

1. FreeTaxUSA — Best Budget Option

Price: $0 federal, $14.99 state

Best for: Cost-conscious freelancers comfortable with DIY filing

FreeTaxUSA offers nearly identical features to TurboTax at a fraction of the cost. It handles Schedule C, self-employment, and most tax situations.

Pros:

• Free federal filing (including Schedule C)
• Only $14.99 for state returns
• Supports all common forms
• Audit assist available ($7.99)

Cons:

• Interface not as polished
• Limited hand-holding
• No year-round planning tools

Savings vs. TurboTax: ~$115-175/year

2. Cash App Taxes — Best Completely Free Option

Price: $0 federal, $0 state

Best for: Simple self-employment situations

Previously Credit Karma Tax, Cash App Taxes is genuinely free—no hidden fees, no upsells to premium tiers.

Pros:

• 100% free (federal and state)
• Supports self-employment income
• Clean, modern interface
• No upsells

Cons:

• Requires Cash App account
• Limited support options
• No audit defense
• Doesn't handle complex situations well

Savings vs. TurboTax: ~$188/year

3. H&R Block — Best Traditional Alternative

Price: $110 Premium (self-employed)

Best for: Those wanting in-person support option

H&R Block offers similar features to TurboTax with one unique advantage: 10,000+ physical offices if you get stuck.

Pros:

• Hybrid online/in-person option
• Includes free state return (often)
• Will review competitor-prepared returns
• Established reputation

Cons:

• Only ~$20 cheaper than TurboTax
• Interface feels dated
• Limited year-round features

Savings vs. TurboTax: ~$20-80/year

See detailed comparison →

4. TaxSlayer — Best DIY Value

Price: $62.95 Self-Employed edition

Best for: Self-employed who want full features at lower cost

TaxSlayer Self-Employed includes everything most freelancers need at half the TurboTax price.

Pros:

• Full Schedule C support
• Deduction finder included
• Phone and email support
• Self-employment tax calculator

Cons:

• Less intuitive interface
• Limited guidance compared to TurboTax
• No year-round planning

Savings vs. TurboTax: ~$66/year

5. AlphaTax — Best for Year-Round Tax Planning

Price: $99/year (or $14/month)

Best for: Freelancers who want to optimize taxes year-round, not just file

AlphaTax takes a different approach: instead of filing your taxes, it helps you owe less in the first place through year-round planning and optimization.

What makes it different:

• Real-time tax projections throughout the year
• Retirement optimization (SEP IRA vs. Solo 401k comparison)
• Mileage method comparison (standard vs. actual)
• Home office calculator (simplified vs. actual)
• AI-powered deduction discovery
• Quarterly tax estimates with strategic recommendations

Pros:

• Finds strategies TurboTax doesn't offer
• 30-50% cheaper than filing software
• Works alongside any filing method
• Year-round value, not just tax season

Cons:

• Doesn't file your taxes directly
• Requires CPA or separate filing service
• Best for those engaged in tax planning

Cost comparison:

• AlphaTax ($99) + FreeTaxUSA ($15) = $114/year
• TurboTax Self-Employed = $188/year
• Savings: $74/year + additional tax savings from optimization

Try AlphaTax free for 7 days →

6. FlyFin — Best for Automation

Price: $192/year (Standard), $348/year (Premium)

Best for: Freelancers who want hands-off automation

FlyFin uses AI to automatically categorize expenses and prepare returns with minimal user input. Every return is reviewed by CPAs.

Pros:

• Highly automated expense tracking
• CPA review included
• AI categorization saves time
• Filing included

Cons:

• Similar price to TurboTax (Standard) or more expensive (Premium)
• Over-automation can miss nuances
• Limited strategic planning

Savings vs. TurboTax: ~$0 (Standard) to -$160 (Premium)

7. Keeper Tax — Best for Gig Workers

Price: $199/year (Standard), $399/year (Premium)

Best for: Uber, DoorDash, delivery drivers who need GPS tracking

Keeper Tax specializes in gig economy workers with excellent mobile GPS mileage tracking and expense categorization.

Pros:

• Best-in-class GPS mileage tracking
• Mobile-first design
• Text message tax assistant
• Filing included

Cons:

• Similar or higher price than TurboTax
• Limited strategic planning features
• Premium expensive for CPA access

Savings vs. TurboTax: ~$0 to -$70

Best Alternative by Situation

What TurboTax Does Better

To be fair, TurboTax leads in some areas:

• Largest knowledge base: Decades of FAQs and help articles
• Most polished interface: Smooth user experience
• QuickBooks integration: If you use QuickBooks, TurboTax connects seamlessly
• Handling complex situations: Multi-state, crypto, complex investments

If these matter to you and cost isn't a concern, TurboTax remains a solid choice.

The Best Strategy for Most Freelancers

Consider combining tools:

Year-round: Use AlphaTax for tax planning, optimization, and projections ($99/year)

Tax filing: Use FreeTaxUSA or Cash App Taxes to file your return ($0-15)

Total cost: $99-114/year (vs. $188+ for TurboTax Self-Employed)

Result: Better tax planning + lower software cost + lower tax bill

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use less-known tax software?

Yes. All tax software must meet IRS security requirements. FreeTaxUSA has been around since 2001 with millions of returns filed. Cash App Taxes processes over 4 million returns annually.

Will I miss deductions if I don't use TurboTax?

Not necessarily. TurboTax's deduction prompts are helpful but not unique. Tools like AlphaTax use AI to find deductions year-round, which often surfaces more than filing-time prompts.

Can I import data from TurboTax to other software?

Most alternatives can import your previous TurboTax return (.tax file) to auto-fill basic information. Check specific software for compatibility.

What if I've always used TurboTax?

Your tax history is with the IRS, not TurboTax. Any software can access your prior return data. Switching is straightforward—just export or manually enter last year's key figures.

Ready to Save on Tax Software?

Stop overpaying for basic tax filing. Whether you choose free filing software or year-round tax planning, there's a better option than expensive TurboTax.

AlphaTax helps you pay less in taxes—not just file them correctly.

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