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Head-to-head · Personal Tax Software

FreeTaxUSA vs CloudTax

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score FreeTaxUSA #4 in Personal Tax Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit FreeTaxUSA
CloudTax #6 in Personal Tax Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CloudTax

FreeTaxUSA leads on 0 checks, CloudTax on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFreeTaxUSA · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth

FreeTaxUSA scores higher on our rubric for personal tax software: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

On state filing, CloudTax gives you Included where FreeTaxUSA offers Paid_add_on.

FreeTaxUSA is the better fit for low-cost comprehensive US filing. CloudTax is the better fit for canadian filers wanting expert help.

  • FreeTaxUSA fits best

    Low-cost comprehensive US filing

  • CloudTax fits best

    Canadian filers wanting expert help

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Side by side

Feature FreeTaxUSA 8.7/10 Visit ↗ CloudTax 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #4 in Personal Tax Software #6 in Personal Tax Software
Best for Low-cost comprehensive US filing Canadian filers wanting expert help
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $39/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features FreeTaxUSA 4/4 · CloudTax 4/4
Self-employment support ✓ ✓
Investment income ✓ ✓
Rental income ✓ ✓
Audit support ✓ ✓
Specs
State filing Paid_add_on Included
Mobile access Web_and_mobile Web_and_mobile
Our review
Pros
  • Free federal filing includes self-employment, investments, crypto, and rentals
  • Imports W-2s, 1099s, and competitor return PDFs
  • Optional audit defense and tax-professional support are available
  • Free DIY filing with CRA slip import and AI document scanning
  • Supports provincial forms, NETFILE, rental, investment, and business income
  • Offers expert review, full preparation, and audit protection options
Cons
  • State tax return preparation and e-file are paid add-ons
  • Optional Deluxe, Pro, and audit services add to the cost
  • Access is browser-based rather than through a native mobile app
  • Audit protection is limited to selected paid plans
  • Specialist support for rentals, foreign income, and crypto starts at paid tiers
  • CloudTax Free has provincial and territorial availability exclusions
Our verdict

FreeTaxUSA is an online tax preparation service for U.S. individual taxpayers who want to file federal returns through a web browser. Its free federal filing supports common and more complex situations, including self-employment and…

Read the review →

CloudTax is Canadian personal tax software for individuals filing T1 returns online. It combines guided DIY preparation with CRA Auto-Fill and slip import, AI-powered document and slip scanning, provincial tax forms, and NETFILE submission…

Read the review →
  1. FreeTaxUSAPersonal Tax Software 8.7Free plan
  2. CloudTaxPersonal Tax Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FreeTaxUSA — where it wins

    • Free federal filing includes self-employment, investments, crypto, and rentals
    • Imports W-2s, 1099s, and competitor return PDFs
    • Optional audit defense and tax-professional support are available

    Where it doesn't

    • State tax return preparation and e-file are paid add-ons
    • Optional Deluxe, Pro, and audit services add to the cost
    • Access is browser-based rather than through a native mobile app

  • CloudTax — where it wins

    • Free DIY filing with CRA slip import and AI document scanning
    • Supports provincial forms, NETFILE, rental, investment, and business income
    • Offers expert review, full preparation, and audit protection options

    Where it doesn't

    • Audit protection is limited to selected paid plans
    • Specialist support for rentals, foreign income, and crypto starts at paid tiers
    • CloudTax Free has provincial and territorial availability exclusions

More comparisons

All personal tax software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update