By FreeTaxUSA is the better choice for most people, mostly because of cost. It files your federal return for $0, including returns with self-employment income, investments and itemized deductions, and it charges $14.99 for each state return. TurboTax is the better choice if you want the most guidance, automatic importing of tax documents and live expert help, and you are fine paying several times more for it.
A simple return costs close to nothing on either site. Once your return gets more involved, the gap opens fast. A homeowner who itemizes and files in one state can pay roughly $130 to $145 with TurboTax and under $25 with FreeTaxUSA. The rest of this comparison shows where that extra money goes and whether you will use what you are paying for.
Pricing note: figures below come from the 2026 filing season (tax year 2025 returns). Both companies reset prices every year, and TurboTax changes its prices during the season, so confirm the final number at checkout before you commit.
TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA at a Glance
| Feature | TurboTax | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Federal filing cost | $0 for simple returns. Paid online tiers recently listed from about $69 to $139 | $0 for every return type |
| State filing cost | Free Edition is limited to simple returns. Paid tiers recently listed around $59 to $64 per state | $14.99 per state |
| Optional upgrade | Expert Assist and Full Service plans cost more | Deluxe at $7.99 adds priority support, live chat, audit help and unlimited amendments |
| Ease of use | Best guided interview of the two | Clear and simple, with more manual entry |
| Document import | Strong: W-2s, brokerage data, prior-year return | More limited |
| Self-employment and investments | Needs the Premium tier | Included in the free federal edition |
| Live help | Available with Expert plans | Chat with Deluxe, plus a higher Pro tier for hands-on help |
| Best for | People who want hand-holding and will pay for it | People who want the lowest price and are comfortable entering their own numbers |
Which Is Cheaper, TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA?
FreeTaxUSA is cheaper in nearly every case. The one exception is a very simple return that qualifies for the TurboTax Free Edition, where both can cost you $0 or close to it.
The TurboTax Free Edition covers a basic Form 1040 with very few schedules. Add itemized deductions, a 1099, stock sales or rental income and the software moves you to a paid tier. That is where most people end up spending money. FreeTaxUSA does not work that way. Federal filing is free no matter which forms you need.
What three common returns cost on each site
| Situation | TurboTax (estimate) | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 job, standard deduction, one state | $0 if you qualify for the Free Edition | $14.99 ($22.98 with Deluxe) |
| Homeowner who itemizes, one state | About $128 to $143 (Deluxe plus state) | $14.99 ($22.98 with Deluxe) |
| Freelancer with stock sales, two states | About $247 to $267 (Premium plus two states) | $29.98 ($37.97 with Deluxe) |
TurboTax estimates combine recently published prices of $69 to $79 for Deluxe and $129 to $139 for Premium at the federal level, plus about $59 to $64 per state. Your actual price can differ because TurboTax adjusts pricing during the season and by tax situation.
Fees that catch people off guard
- TurboTax refund processing fee. If you pay for TurboTax out of your refund, published reviews put the fee at around $40 on top of the software price.
- Automatic upgrades. TurboTax moves you to a higher tier when you enter certain forms. Check the running total before you reach the filing screen.
- State returns. TurboTax charges per state and the price varies by tier. FreeTaxUSA charges $14.99 per state, so the math is easy.
- FreeTaxUSA extras. Deluxe is optional. Amended returns are included with Deluxe and cost extra without it.
Which Is Easier to Use?
TurboTax is easier, especially if this is your first time filing or your situation changed this year, such as a new job, a marriage or a home purchase. It asks plain-language questions, explains why it needs each answer, and can pull in W-2s, 1099s and brokerage data so you type less and make fewer mistakes.
FreeTaxUSA also uses a question-and-answer flow with help text, but the design is plainer and you enter more figures yourself. People who have filed before usually move through it quickly. First-time filers tend to pause more and may want to keep a prior-year return or their documents close by.
Which Is Better for Self-Employed Filers and Investors?
Both handle freelance income, stock sales, rental income and crypto. The real differences are price and how much help you get along the way.
FreeTaxUSA supports schedules such as A, B, C, D and E in its free federal edition, so a freelancer does not need to buy a special tier. TurboTax puts these behind Premium, which recently listed around $129 to $139 before state fees. What you get for the extra money is more guidance on business deductions and more automatic import options for brokerage and crypto activity.
If you have a handful of 1099s and you know your deductions, FreeTaxUSA saves real money. If you have dozens of brokerage transactions and want the software to pull them in, TurboTax can save you time.
Customer Support and Audit Help
| Support option | TurboTax | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Help articles and guides | Yes | Yes |
| Live expert | Expert Assist tiers, at extra cost | Not on the free edition. Deluxe adds live chat and priority support |
| Full preparation by a professional | Full Service option, priced well above do-it-yourself | Pro tier at $49.99 for more hands-on help |
| Audit help | Audit support guidance, with paid Audit Defense add-ons | Included with Deluxe |
| In-person offices | No | No |
Neither company has local offices. If you want to sit across from a preparer, H&R Block is the one to look at.
Accuracy, Guarantees and Refund Speed
Both programs check your return for errors before you file. TurboTax adds a Maximum Refund Guarantee: if you get a bigger refund with another method using the same information, it refunds the software fee. Read the terms before you count on it, because guarantees come with conditions.
Refund speed depends on the IRS and your state, not the software. The IRS issues most refunds in under 21 days when you e-file and choose direct deposit, and you can track yours with the Where’s My Refund? tool. FreeTaxUSA tells customers to expect roughly 7 to 14 days in typical cases, and TurboTax filers should see similar timing.
Prior-Year Returns, Amendments and Late Filing
FreeTaxUSA lets you file prior-year federal returns for free going back several years, and prior-year state returns cost $17.99 each. It also charges the same price if you file on extension or after the deadline. TurboTax generally requires you to use the edition for that specific tax year, and you pay that edition’s price.
TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA vs H&R Block
H&R Block sits between the two on price in most comparisons, and it is the only one of the three with physical offices. If you are weighing all three, use this shortcut: choose FreeTaxUSA for the lowest cost, TurboTax for the most guidance online, and H&R Block if you may want to meet a preparer in person.
How to Decide in Under a Minute
Ask yourself four questions. Your answers usually settle the TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA choice faster than any feature list.
- Is my return simple? If you only have W-2 income and take the standard deduction, try the TurboTax Free Edition first. If it pushes you to a paid tier, compare that price to FreeTaxUSA before you pay.
- Do I know my numbers? If you have your documents and know your deductions, FreeTaxUSA will cost far less and do the same job.
- Do I want a guide or a form? If you want the software to walk you through every decision, TurboTax is built for that.
- How many states do I file in? Each extra state adds about $15 at FreeTaxUSA and often $59 or more at TurboTax, so multi-state filers feel the difference most.
Who Should Choose TurboTax and Who Should Choose FreeTaxUSA
Choose TurboTax if you:
- Want the software to ask the questions and explain each step
- Have a lot of brokerage or crypto activity you would rather import than type
- Had a big life change this year and want extra reassurance
- Are willing to pay more for live expert help inside the product
Choose FreeTaxUSA if you:
- Want to keep software costs as close to zero as possible
- Have a more involved return but know your numbers
- Need to file in more than one state without paying a high fee for each
- Want to file a late or prior-year return without paying a premium
Pros and Cons
| Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| TurboTax | Easiest guided experience. Strong document import. Live expert options. Handles complex returns | Highest cost. Prices change during the season. Automatic tier upgrades. Refund processing fee if you pay from your refund |
| FreeTaxUSA | $0 federal for every return type. $14.99 per state. Low-cost Deluxe upgrade. Free prior-year federal returns | Fewer imports, so more manual entry. Plainer design. Live help requires Deluxe or Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions About TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA
Is FreeTaxUSA really free?
Federal filing is free for every return type. State returns cost $14.99 each, and the Deluxe upgrade at $7.99 is optional.
Is FreeTaxUSA as good as TurboTax?
For preparing and e-filing the return itself, yes for most people. Both prepare the same federal forms, so the same inputs should produce the same return. TurboTax pulls ahead on guidance, imports and in-product expert help.
Is TurboTax worth the extra cost?
It can be if you value hand-holding and automatic imports enough to pay for them. If you already know your numbers and your documents, most people will not get $100 or more of extra value from it.
Which is better for self-employed taxes, TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA?
Both support Schedule C and related forms. TurboTax gives more guidance on business deductions but requires its Premium tier. FreeTaxUSA includes self-employment support in its free federal edition.
Which gives a faster refund?
Neither one. Speed is set by the IRS and your state. E-filing with direct deposit is the fastest route on either site.
Can I switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA after I start?
Yes. You can start over with FreeTaxUSA any time before you file. Have your tax documents ready, because you will enter much of the information yourself.
Is FreeTaxUSA safe to use?
FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax are both IRS-authorized e-file providers. On either site, use a strong password and turn on two-factor authentication.
Final Verdict: TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA
Pick FreeTaxUSA if price matters most. It gives you full federal filing at no cost and low state fees, and it handles self-employment and investments without a special tier. Pick TurboTax if you want the most polished guidance and imports, and you are comfortable paying for it. If you are still unsure, run your numbers through the free version of each and compare the final total before you file.
This article is general information and not tax advice. For a specific situation, speak with a licensed tax professional.
Sources and where to verify prices
- FreeTaxUSA pricing: freetaxusa.com
- TurboTax pricing: turbotax.intuit.com
- IRS refund timing: irs.gov/refunds
Last updated on: October 16, 2026