Best HowardSoft Tax Preparer Alternatives in 2026
The top HowardSoft Tax Preparer alternatives are TurboTax, H&R Block Online and TaxAct: 15 personal tax software our editors would look at instead of HowardSoft Tax Preparer, in our ranking order.
HowardSoft Tax Preparer: A deep Windows desktop tax tool for complex federal returns, with costly tiers and state filing. Where it falls short: starts at $229 with no free plan.
Switching from HowardSoft Tax Preparer? For most personal tax software buyers the best HowardSoft Tax Preparer alternative is TurboTax, built for uS filers wanting broad guided support.
Why People Look for a HowardSoft Tax Preparer Alternative
- Starts at $229 with no free plan
- Windows desktop deployment only
- State filing is a paid add-on; Economy has no e-file
- No free plan — 15 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallTurboTax9.3
US filers wanting broad guided support
Visit TurboTax - Best free optionTurboTax9.3
Has a free plan (HowardSoft Tax Preparer has none)
Visit TurboTax
All 15 HowardSoft Tax Preparer Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forUS filers wanting broad guided support
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 3.0
A broad US tax filing suite with free simple returns and paid expert support.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
9.3/10★★★★★Visit TurboTax -
Best forUS filers wanting guided expert support
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.0 vs 3.0
A flexible tax-filing service with free simple returns and guided expert help.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit H&R Block -
Best forMulti-device US filing with assistance
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.0
A broad US tax filing option with free entry, paid coverage, and expert help.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit TaxAct -
Best forLow-cost comprehensive US filing
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.7 vs 3.0
A broad, low-cost option for complex federal returns, with state filing priced separately.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit FreeTaxUSA -
Best forSelf-employed filers focused on deductions
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.6 vs 3.0
A deduction-focused tax platform for self-employed filers, with paid filing and review options.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Keeper -
Best forCanadian filers wanting expert help
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 3.0
A flexible Canadian tax service spanning free DIY filing, expert review, and full preparation.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit CloudTax -
Best forIndian filers with investments or notices
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.4 vs 3.0
A flexible tax-filing option for Indian filers with investments, property, or notices.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit ClearTax -
Best forUS filers needing mobile and live help
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.3 vs 3.0
A broad tax-filing option with mobile access and live help on higher tiers.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit TaxSlayer -
Best forFull-featured Canadian tax filing
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.2 vs 3.0
A broad Canadian tax filing option covering simple returns, investments, rentals and self-employment.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.2/10★★★★☆Try TurboTax Canada -
Best forCanadian filers wanting guided coverage
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.1 vs 3.0
Guided Canadian tax filing with coverage from student credits to rental income.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit H&R Block -
Best forFree Brazilian government tax filing
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.0 vs 3.0
A free Receita Federal service for preparing, submitting, and managing Brazilian individual tax returns.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forCanadian filers wanting expert access
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 3.0
A flexible Canadian filer for complex returns, with optional access to tax experts.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Wealthsimple -
Best forSpanish filers wanting expert options
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.8 vs 3.0
A flexible Spanish tax service with free calculation and paid expert filing support.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit TaxDown -
Best forFree Australian individual tax filing
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.7 vs 3.0
A free ATO service for Australian individual and sole-trader tax returns.
- Rental income
- Investment income
- Self-employment support
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit myTax -
Best forFree Polish filing with broad return support
- Better than HowardSoft Tax Preparer:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.6 vs 3.0
A free Polish tax filing tool with broad return support and electronic submission.
- Audit support
- Rental income
- Investment income
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit PITax
HowardSoft Tax Preparer Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to HowardSoft Tax Preparer?
TurboTax: #1 in our Personal Tax Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad US tax filing suite with free simple returns and paid expert support.
Is there a free alternative to HowardSoft Tax Preparer?
Yes. TurboTax, H&R Block Online, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA and Keeper have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for HowardSoft Tax Preparer alternatives?
Starts at $229 with no free plan; Windows desktop deployment only; State filing is a paid add-on; Economy has no e-file.
How do I switch from HowardSoft Tax Preparer?
Export your data from HowardSoft Tax Preparer (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HowardSoft Tax Preparer.
How to Switch from HowardSoft Tax Preparer
- Export your data from HowardSoft Tax Preparer (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HowardSoft Tax Preparer.
HowardSoft Tax Preparer vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Self-employment support | Investment income | Rental income | State filing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118 | HowardSoft Tax Preparer | No | $229/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid_add_on | 3.0 |
| 1 | TurboTax | Yes | $79 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid_add_on | 9.3 |
| 2 | H&R Block Online | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid_add_on | 9.0 | |
| 3 | TaxAct | Yes | $44.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid_add_on | 8.8 |
| 4 | FreeTaxUSA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid_add_on | 8.7 | |
| 5 | Keeper | Yes | 8.6 | |||||
| 6 | CloudTax | Yes | $39/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Included | 8.5 |
| 7 | ClearTax | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 8 | TaxSlayer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid_add_on | 8.3 | |
| 9 | TurboTax Canada | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Included | 8.2 | |
| 10 | H&R Block Tax Software Canada | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Included | 8.1 | |
| 11 | Meu Imposto de Renda | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | None | 8.0 |
| 12 | Wealthsimple Tax | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Included | 7.9 | |
| 13 | TaxDown | Yes | €35/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Included | 7.8 |
| 14 | myTax | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 15 | PITax | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | None | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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