TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA: which costs less for tax year 2025?
TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA each come out cheaper in 1 of 6 situations. In 4 more, we couldn't confirm one side's price. The answer depends on your forms and state, so here's the estimated total for each situation.
TurboTaxGuided self-filing, live experts or full service
vsFreeTaxUSAFree federal, low-cost state
Estimated total by situation
Cheapest plan from each service that handles the return, with federal, state and required add-ons.
| Situation | TurboTax | FreeTaxUSA | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-2 employee in Illinois | $0 Free Edition, do it yourself | $15.99 Free federal, do it yourself | TurboTax |
| Freelancer in California | Premium: California price not verified | $15.99 Free federal, do it yourself | Can’t confirm |
| Family investing in New York | Premium: New York price not verified | $15.99 Free federal, do it yourself | Can’t confirm |
| Crypto trader in Florida | $139 Premium, do it yourself | $0 Free federal, do it yourself | FreeTaxUSA |
| Family with kids in Georgia | Deluxe: Georgia price not verified | $15.99 Free federal, do it yourself | Can’t confirm |
| Moved from New Jersey to New York | Deluxe: Multiple state returns support not verified | $31.98 Free federal, do it yourself | Can’t confirm |
Estimates for a sample return in each situation. Yours may differ.
All TurboTax plans and prices
A guided, interview-style product line that scales from simple returns to self-employment, with assisted and full-service tiers.
See TurboTax pricingAll FreeTaxUSA plans and prices
A single self-filing product with federal filing included and a flat state fee.
See FreeTaxUSA pricingTurboTax or FreeTaxUSA for your return?
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