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Head-to-head · Income Tax software

WISO Steuer vs CrossLink

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score WISO Steuer #4 in Income Tax software 8.8/10 From €35.99/yr ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit WISO Steuer
CrossLink #5 in Income Tax software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit CrossLink

WISO Steuer leads on 0 checks, CrossLink on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWISO Steuer · 8.8/10

WISO Steuer scores higher on our rubric for income tax software: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

WISO Steuer is the better fit for german filers wanting guided ELSTER submission. CrossLink is the better fit for professional preparers needing hosted and desktop filing.

  • WISO Steuer fits best

    German filers wanting guided ELSTER submission

  • CrossLink fits best

    Professional preparers needing hosted and desktop filing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature WISO Steuer 8.8/10 Visit ↗ CrossLink 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.7
Ranking #4 in Income Tax software #5 in Income Tax software
Best for German filers wanting guided ELSTER submission Professional preparers needing hosted and desktop filing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows
Support Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Compliance GDPR 2FA
Integrations 1 integrations 7,000+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features WISO Steuer 0/2 · CrossLink 0/2
E-filing Not published Not published
Professional preparer use Not published Not published
Specs
Return types Not published Not published
Tax jurisdictions Not published Not published
Returns included Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Guided workflow with live refund and pre-submission checks
  • Supports self-employed returns, rental income and property expenses
  • Receipt scanning, automatic data retrieval and SteuerGPT AI advice
  • Supports unlimited 1040-series returns and state returns on CrossLink 1040
  • Combines OCR import, return verification, and document archiving
  • Offers remote signatures, TaxPass collection, and TextLink messaging
Cons
  • No free plan; payment is requested when submitting from the test version
  • Vorteils-Abo allows up to five tax returns per year
  • Linux access is provided through the web version rather than desktop software
  • Business returns require a CrossLink 1040 license
  • The Franchise or Service Bureau plan adds fewer listed tax-workflow features
  • Pricing is paid, with no free plan
Our verdict

WISO Steuer is a German income-tax application for employees, retirees, self-employed people, landlords and other taxpayers. Its guided tax-return interview organizes the preparation process, while automatic retrieval of employer and…

Read the review →

CrossLink is professional tax-preparation software for tax preparers, tax offices, service bureaus, and franchise operations. Its individual-return offering covers 1040-series filing, while a separate business product supports business…

Read the review →
  1. WISO SteuerIncome Tax software 8.8From €35.99/yr
  2. CrossLinkIncome Tax software 8.7Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • WISO Steuer — where it wins

    • Guided workflow with live refund and pre-submission checks
    • Supports self-employed returns, rental income and property expenses
    • Receipt scanning, automatic data retrieval and SteuerGPT AI advice

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; payment is requested when submitting from the test version
    • Vorteils-Abo allows up to five tax returns per year
    • Linux access is provided through the web version rather than desktop software
  • CrossLink — where it wins

    • Supports unlimited 1040-series returns and state returns on CrossLink 1040
    • Combines OCR import, return verification, and document archiving
    • Offers remote signatures, TaxPass collection, and TextLink messaging

    Where it doesn't

    • Business returns require a CrossLink 1040 license
    • The Franchise or Service Bureau plan adds fewer listed tax-workflow features
    • Pricing is paid, with no free plan

More comparisons

Guides on income tax software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update